Wanting Bluethroat for a year tick we headed down to Dunge this morning arriving just after first light.
We found the gorse bushes alive with Firecrests and I mean alive, simply dozens of the little gems feeding frantically after the long crossing.
A few Goldcrests flitted around with them and a couple of singing Chiffchaff added to the spectacle but the target bird failed to show despite a good search and long wait.
![Amazing Firecrest fall at Dunge Firecrest%2Bprime](https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bUktb5hqKsY/Wrfj4-AUEnI/AAAAAAAANP0/cIewCesjDE4p9HNueRn5kONteIvvLHAdACLcBGAs/s640/Firecrest%2Bprime.jpg)
![Amazing Firecrest fall at Dunge Firecrest%2B8](https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6FNlEdGqpFU/WrfkS8wUa_I/AAAAAAAANP4/_fImdtBm53Yd3ylZgzv0WogvzNnDxqd-ACLcBGAs/s640/Firecrest%2B8.jpg)
![Amazing Firecrest fall at Dunge Firecrest%2B3](https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--7QOTa6QKyY/WrfkdYFrQpI/AAAAAAAANQA/eboghHjK5dY8lBlQbmsAwHROUdRHHciuACLcBGAs/s640/Firecrest%2B3.jpg)
![Amazing Firecrest fall at Dunge Firecrest%2B4](https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8deei4X0v5o/Wrfkpn_ZINI/AAAAAAAANQE/oNdV1Z4teUsZBaTt3Y365VSdxa50bAjVQCLcBGAs/s640/Firecrest%2B4.jpg)
![Amazing Firecrest fall at Dunge Firecrest%2B6](https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gitndERo20k/Wrfk7PgavDI/AAAAAAAANQM/MS5BBm_TyVgNsM5t5gJOHn_FGMQopmw5wCLcBGAs/s640/Firecrest%2B6.jpg)
At the lighthouse we found more Firecrest and a Black Redstart showed in the power station as we approached the sea. From the shingle we watched Gannets and Auks and had a couple of Sandwich Tern fly down.
![Amazing Firecrest fall at Dunge Firecrest%2B1](https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wH3rUBSsgBk/WrflNdXPDgI/AAAAAAAANQY/aD1zwNRsdgMoQB5z3LYxEVltN0NqmCHwgCLcBGAs/s640/Firecrest%2B1.jpg)
At Elmley the usual suspects showed as did a pair of Peregrine hunting the usual suspects and entertaining us in the process.
![Amazing Firecrest fall at Dunge Redshank](https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-21F2eODCgMg/Wrfl0KjQw9I/AAAAAAAANQk/2CKoearJP3geLkAUdWZhXNBt0EErcdcsACLcBGAs/s640/Redshank.jpg)
![Amazing Firecrest fall at Dunge Brian Anderson](https://focusingonwildlife.com/news/wp-content/uploads/brian_anderson.jpg)
Brian Anderson
Essex Birder using the blog as a diary of my trips around the country chasing birds. Enjoying the places it takes me and the people I meet along the way. Great to spend time with my Dad and brother as we chase our year lists and grow our life list in the process.
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