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Dungeness Facts
Visitor Information
Summer birds Over 60 species breed regularly The reserve is one of the few places in England where Common Gulls breed. Over 180 species of birds are recorded annually. Breeding waterbirds include Mallard, Tufted Duck, Pochard, Gadwall, Shoveler and Little and Great Crested Grebes. Breeding wading birds include Oystercatchers and Ringed Plovers on the shingle and islands. Redshanks and Lapwings breed in the surrounding wet meadows. Cetti's, Reed and Sedge Warblers, Reed Buntings and Bearded Tits nest in the vegetation around the pools and ditches. Other breeding passerines include Yellowhammer, Wheatear, Corn Bunting and Yellow Wagtail. Winter birdsFrom October onwards, the arrival of wintering wildfowl becomes the focus of interest. Shoveler, Gadwall, Wigeon and Pochard gather in large numbers. Smew, Whooper and Bewick's Swans, grebes and divers also occur regularly. Barn Owls, Short-eared Owls, Peregrines, Merlins and Hen Harriers hunt over the reserve, whilst in recent years Penduline Tit and Bittern have wintered on the reserve. Plant LifeThe undisturbed shingle ridges support a rich and specialised variety of plants including the rare Nottingham Catchfly. The colourful Yellow-horned Poppy and Viper's Bugloss thrive on the disturbed areas of shingle. The freshwater pools are host to wetland species such as marsh fern and saw sedge. InvertebratesSome 1550 species of invertebrates have been recorded including three species of beetle found nowhere else in Britain. The reserve also holds an important population of the medicinal leech - a globally threatened species. Dragonflies include Ruddy Darter, Red-veined Darter and Hairy Hawker. Migrant Lesser Emperor dragonflies have been recorded annually in recent years. Other wildlifeGreat-crested Newts and Smooth Newts, Grass Snakes and Marsh Frogs are all found on the reserve. Foxes, Badgers, Stoats, Weasels and Brown Hares also occur. Further InformationIf you would like further information or wish to arrange a group or school visit, please contact the warden at RSPB Dungeness Reserve, Boulderwall Farm, Dungeness Road, Lydd,Romney Marsh, Kent TN29 9PN. Tel: 01797 320588. Fax: 01797 321962. Email: dungeness@rspb.org.uk How to find usThe reserve is signposted off the Lydd to Dungeness road 10 miles/16km east of Rye and 1 mile south of Lydd. The nearest railway stations are at Rye, Ashford and Folkestone. Bus service number 12 from Lydd or Folkestone will stop at the reserve entrance on request (not Sunday).There is also a limited service from Ashford. There is a one mile walk from the reserve entrance to the visitor centre.
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