Dungeness Nature Reserve Bulletin
1 February 2008
Bird news (January 2008)
The New Year began with a one-day red-necked grebe, seen on Burrowes pit, a different individual to the popular, long-staying bird seen off the reserve on the Long pits. Slavonian grebes could be found on most days, with two different birds giving excellent views on the New Excavations and Burrows pit, allowing views to be enjoyed, either from Firth hide, or the warmth and shelter of the visitor centre! With sightings from around Hooker’s pits few and far between, the continued presence of December’s bittern at the ARC pit came as a relief to those fortunate enough to be in the right place at the right time. With a bit of luck and patience, visitors could enjoy superb views of this notoriously skulking species as it showed off in full, at the edge of the reeds. The long-staying shag, continued to offer a useful lesson in identification for many visitors and was last being seen on the 27th on Burrowes pit.
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Slavonian grebe - photograph by David Roche (all rights reserved) |
Bewick’s swans were hard to come by, with a single on the 3rd and two birds on the 30th being the only records of the month. White-fronted geese fared better, with the largest group of 110 birds, appearing on the morning of the 27th, some of which reappeared in the afternoon to roost on Burrowes pit over the following two days. Scarcer ducks included a female common scoter flying past Makepeace hide on the 20th, and a drake scaup, which spent two days on the ARC pit on the 18th and 19th. Four red-crested pochards spent the month in front of Christmas Dell hide, with an extra drake appearing on the ARC pit on the 17th. Smew reached a peak of 16 redheads and seven drakes, whilst goosander numbers remained stable throughout the month with a regular count of five redheads and a single drake.
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Bewick’s swan
- photograph by David Roche (all rights reserved) |
Hen harriers were seen on five dates, with two birds seen on the 13th, and there were occasional sightings of peregrine and merlin throughout the month. Both Caspian gull and kittiwake were seen on Burrowes pit on the 13th, followed three days later by an adult little gull, an unusual winter visitor to the reserve.
More unusual, however, was a group of 17 collared doves, seen on the wires near the water tower on the 29th. Although a common bird within the surrounding area, this was the largest group to be recorded on the reserve since 1985, beating the previous high count of 11 birds. Most records come from birds flying overhead, often seen during the spring and summer months.
The occasional bright and calm day provided ideal conditions to tempt Dartford warblers into view, one being seen in the gorse bushes near the viewing ramp and possibly a different bird appearing at the top of the entrance track opposite Boulderwall Farm. Three chiffchaffs, seen around the Hanson-ARC hide, included a singing bird on the 29th, whilst a firecrest was seen with two goldcrests in the willows at the back of the car park on the 19th.Management news
As well as routine maintenance tasks, a few other jobs have been done around the reserve, weather permitting! On the routine front, sheep and cattle have been moved as necessary to keep the grass in the right condition ready for the spring, with the cattle removed from the site altogether for the rest of the winter. The (seemingly) never-ending work of maintaining fences and gates continues. More juncus has been brush-cut from the margins of some pools and lakes, creating a clear transition from the grazed grass into the water and giving improved feeding and foraging opportunities for water birds and waders as well as giving far less cover for any lurking predators.
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The traditional winter activity of ‘willow bashing’ continued with areas along the willow trail and around some newt ponds now cleared – when it’s burned at least it warms up the volunteers on a cold winter’s day!
Events
FEBRUARY
Exhibition
in the Visitor and Education Centre
10 am to 4 pm
2 to 16 February – Leisure painters
An exhibition and sale of paintings by our
local art group.
The third Thursday Illustrated talks
From 7.30 pm in the Visitor and
Education Centre
(Centre opens 7pm)
21 February: Bob Gomes – CHRISTMAS IN SRI LANKA
RSPB members £1.50, non-members £3
Book sale
Saturday 23 and Sunday 24, 10 am - 4 pm
Help us raise funds for the Dungeness Wildlife Explorers group and pick up a bargain at the same time. Donations of books to sell will also be gratefully received – just drop them into the Visitor Centre.
Quiz night
Friday 29, doors open 7 pm, quiz starts 7.30 pm
Join us for a quiz night in the Visitor Centre. Maximum of six players per team (£2 per head). Bring your own refreshments. Booking essential. For further details and to register please phone
01797 320588.
MARCH
Exhibition
in the Visitor and Education Centre
10 am to 4 pm
2 to 29 March – Birds Birds Birds is the
Kentish Gallery that is fast establishing its
name in the Art Market, for its range and
quality of Bird Art. They will be displaying
a selection of originals and prints both on
paper and canvas.
Birdwatching for beginners guided walk
Sunday 16, 11.00 am – 1 pm
A guided walk especially aimed at those new to birdwatching. Booking essential.
The third Thursday Illustrated talks
From 7.30 pm in the Visitor and
Education Centre
(Centre opens 7pm)
20 March: Paul Trodd -
ST HELENA, AN ISLAND ODYSSEY
RSPB members £1.50, non-members £3
Family event - Easter treasure trail
Friday 21 to Monday 24, 11am – 3 pm
Follow our treasure trail around the reserve finding out about the animals and plants found here. Complete the Easter quiz and receive a special Easter prize. No booking required.
Binocular and telescope demonstration
Saturday 22 and Sunday 23, 10 am – 4 pm
An opportunity to try out and purchase some of the best optical equipment available.
No need to book.
Tel: 01797 320588
mail: dungeness@rspb.org.uk
