Lesser Wax Moth was new for the year this morning which brought the year total to 296 species which equals last year's final tally. I should be able to get to 300 for the first time. Today at Dungeness we encountered some heavy rain which did leave off for a while but eventually drove us homeward about an hour ealier that usual. We started on the ARC pit where a Kingfisher posed in front of the Hanson Hide and a couple of Bar-tailed Godwits were on the islands, while 2 flocks totally about 100 of the same species flew over. Other waders were: 1 Curlew Sandpiper, 15 Dunlin, Common Sandpiper, LRP and Grey Plover. Two Little Egrets were also there. Apart from lunch, when we saw an Arctic Skua chasing Sandwich Terns at Lade, we spent the rest of the time in the 3 hides nearest the RSPB visitor centre. Birds noted were: 2 Great White Egrets, 2 Little Egrets, Grey Heron, 2 Black Terns, Sandwich and Common Terns, Good numbers of Sand Martins with a few House Martins and Swallows, 1 Little Stint, 3 Ruff, Dunlin, Ringed Plover, and Marsh Harrier. Common Newts were around the visitor centre.

 Kingfisher

 Bar-tailed Godwit

Common Newt