I can't remember the last time I took a stroll around Ramsgate Harbour with the intention of looking at the avian inhabitants which might be present. Having seen a superb photo, by Steve Ashton, of a Black-throated Diver posted on Birdguides a couple of days previously, I knew exactly where it was when Ramsgate was the location. A grotty grey day didn't offer much hope of decent photographic conditions but, it still had to be better than sitting indoors just wondering "what if?" So at 10.30 hrs I headed out, telling Bev I'd probably be away little longer than an hour! Wrong - very wrong!! Just over two and a half hours elapsed whilst I wandered around the site. There was so much to look at I'd forgotten just how much pleasure comes from such a simple walk. I took nearly 150 images and will share just a few to attempt to convey the enjoyment I derived from the outing.
Red-throated Diver - 1 juv
Turnstone - numerous around the harbour and very confiding
Shag - five, probably seven, present in the marina area
Black-throated Diver - a juvenile
Guillemot - two
Black Redstart - imm/female type on upper deck of Weatherspoons, although very elusive.
Great Crested Grebe - two in outer harbour area
Cormorant - twenty plus roosting on the old port structures beyond the harbour wall.
I did keep an eye open for colour ringed gulls/cormorants with no result, but feel sure that I will be back, sooner, rather than later, as it was such good fun.
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