Dungeness Nature Reserve Bulletin

1 January 2008

Bird news (December 2007)

Water birds were, as expected, the main focus of attention during December. One of our most unusual visitors was a shag, which arrived during some rough weather early in the month and remained into the New Year. It could often be seen roosting among the cormorants on Burrowes pit when the obvious size difference aided identification. Early in the month there were several sightings of bittern flying between Hooker’s pits and Denge Marsh whilst on the 20th one was spotted in the reeds in front of the ARC hide. This obliging individual remained in this area until Christmas Eve providing excellent views and photo opportunities for many appreciative visitors.

Bewick’s swans roosted on the ARC pit on at least three occasions, including New Year’s Eve, thus enabling your author to record them as the second bird on her 2008 list (wigeon being the first).

Twenty-one pink-footed geese flying over on the morning of the 16th were a rare record for the reserve. Other geese of note were small flocks of white-fronts flying over on three days in the latter part of the month and single brents on 9th and 16th. Smew numbers increased as the month progressed with a peak count of five males and 14 red-heads recorded on Christmas Eve. Goosanders were also present on Burrowes pit throughout the month, one drake and five females being the peak count. A single female red-crested pochard was seen on the 3rd and a pair took up residence on Burrowes pit from the 27th.

Following their successful breeding in 2007 it is almost impossible to visit the reserve without seeing a marsh harrier these days. Four or five birds were seen almost daily throughout the month and a peak count of eleven birds was made on the 15th. Other raptors of note were peregrine, merlin and hen harrier, all seen on several days.
Waders were a bit thin on the ground but flocks of golden plovers could be found on Denge Marsh on several dates and a count of 51 snipe on the ARC site was of particular note.

There were six sightings of barn owl during the month, mostly from the ramp at Hooker’s pits and a single short-eared owl was seen flying over the ranges on the 14th. Kingfishers were seen regularly, particularly flying along the edge of Burrowes pit.

Passerine sightings included rock pipit (on three dates), fieldfare, redwing, chiffchaff and goldcrest. Stonechats could be found in the scrub around the nature trail and the tree sparrow flock remained in the Boulderwall Farm area. Two ravens flew over on the 10th and a small flock of siskins on the 14th were also of note.

Management news

Most of the gorse scrub has now been removed from around the margins of the lakes and pools in the Gun Club field (at the cost of much scratching and stabbing of staff and volunteers!). Additionally, lots of juncus has been brush-cut from these margins, creating a clear transition from the grazed grass into the water and giving improved feeding and foraging opportunities for water birds and waders.

The small islands at the extreme southeast end of Dengemarsh have also been cleared of tall vegetation, again to increase potential safe nest sites for lapwing. Already birds are using these islands for roosting and feeding.

Hopefully, if you have visited the reserve recently, you’ll have noticed some holes have been filled in along the entrance track and in both car parks, making your journey a little smoother. But, don’t forget, despite a temptingly smooth surface, there is a 15mph speed limit along the track and a 5mph limit in the car park!

Finally, the routine sheep and cattle rotation around the reserve has been on-going all month, with a flock of sheep released to range widely over the greater reserve area. So beware of sheep on the paths and tracks – another reason to keep your speed down!

Tel: 01797 320588

mail: dungeness@rspb.org.uk