We've topped the charts with 20 different waders spotted on Burrowes pit this week. The list includes Oystercatcher, Avocet, Lapwing,Ringed Plover, Little Ringed Plover,Grey Plover, Turnstone, Curlew, Whimbrel, Ruff, Redshank, Common Sandpiper, Dunlin, Sanderling, Greenshank, Knot, Black-tailed Godwit, Little Stint, Snipe and Curlew Sandpiper!

Common sandpiper - Andy Hay

Wonderfully, most of these were seen from the comfort of the visitor centre, so we can truly offer a wildlife spectacle when you walk in.

Life is blossoming on the reserve, the birds are either sitting on nests or being busy looking after their new-born offspring. Baby rabbits are everywhere. Flowers are starting to pop up around the trail now. Look out for the bright yellow of the bird's foot trefoil flowers, the tufty pink thrift flowers and the beautiful purple heads of the southern marsh orchid!

Orchid by Emma Coletti


We've also had a crane on the reserve and there have been quite a few sightings of cranes around Kent too. We had a fabulous view of this huge bird as it circled around the Dungeness powerstation. It's a shame that it didn't hang around for very long. 

Common cranes - Nick Upton

Other unusual birds this week include a little gull, arctic tern and Iceland gull. We have also seen quite a few different species of birds of prey including peregrine, buzzard, sparrowhawk, hen harrier, hobby and of course our resident marsh harriers.