Dungeness Nature Reserve Bulletin

1 April 2008

Bird news (March 2008)

March is a transitional month in the bird world with the first summer migrants arriving and some of our winter visitors seemingly reluctant to move off to their breeding areas. It can also be a frustrating month as early migrants tease us into thinking that Spring is here.

A sand martin attempting to feed over the ARC pit on the 1st March broke our earliest ever record for this species by one day, a decision it may have regretted as the early March weather lived up to its reputation by exhibiting lion-like qualities! There were further sightings over the next couple of days and then nothing until mid-month when our first wheatears also appeared. The first garganey (two birds) of the season were spotted on the 18th on the lake near Boulderwall Farm and there were five subsequent sightings of single birds, either on Burrowes pit or Denge Marsh. A blackcap was also seen on the 18th and 19th before moving on.

However, it was not until the end of the month, as the weather warmed up a little and the wind shifted that we saw our first swallow and yellow wagtail (30th) and the 31st produced three sedge warblers at Hooker’s pits, Christmas Dell and the ARC site. Goldcrests and firecests were also present with one of each species seen near the Willow Trail on the 30th and three of the latter in Christmas Dell on the 31st. Other passerine sightings of note included grey wagtail (a single bird present near Makepeace hide for three days), fieldfare and redwing (two sightings each), black redstart on three dates, a fine water pipit in front of Firth hide on the 29th and a male brambling near Boulderwall Farm on the 19th.

Among our wintering ducks, goldeneyes remained in small numbers throughout the month but the last smew were seen on the 8th and the last goosander on the 9th.

The long-staying Slavonian grebe remained in the Scott hide area throughout the month, gradually attaining its summer plumage. Three black-necked grebes put in a brief appearance on the ARC pit on the 7th, great crested grebes were present in good numbers, entertaining us with their elaborate courtship displays and the bizarre call of the little grebe could be heard emanating from the reed beds around the trail.

Two bitterns were seen on the 16th but there were no sightings after the 20th, leading us to think that they may now have left us for the summer.

Wader sightings were few and far between, largely due to the high water levels, with the only migrant sightings of note being a jack snipe on the 2nd and an avocet on the 9th.

Gull sightings of note included a glaucous gull (2nd and 7th) an Iceland gull (11th), yellow-legged gull (on four dates), Caspian gull (up to three birds), Mediterranean gull (four sightings) and a single first winter little gull at Denge Marsh on the 29th.

Management news

March is the month when any remaining habitat management work needs to be completed so that we avoid disturbing potential breeding birds. The islands on Burrowes pit have all had a ‘short back and sides’ to make them attractive to nesting gulls and terns. Additionally, we have set out 23 decoy black-headed gulls as an extra lure, so make sure you have a really good look before reporting any potential Mediterranean gulls to the visitor centre!

By month-end all our grazing meadows were as ready for breeding lapwings as they could be – come on birds, it’s the perfect place to set up home! The anti-predator electric netting has gone up again this year to prevent access to much of the western shoreline of Burrowes pit, so please take care when passing close by, especially if you have children with you. There is a lot of tree sparrow activity around Boulderwall Farm at the moment so make sure you look out for them as you come and go from the reserve, they really are a treat.

RSPB Dungeness Nature Reserve

Tel: 01797 320588

mail: dungeness@rspb.org.uk