We have one obvious winner for this weeks bird highlight - the white-spotted bluethroat. Seen in a part of our reserve known as Denge Marsh gully these (we've had two - possibly three) birds have been staying in this area for almost a week now. The bluethroat is a small robin-like bird. The male is unmistakable in spring with his bright blue throat, bordered below with bands of black, white and chestnut. Its central throat spot can be white or chestnut, depending on which subspecies you are looking at -'white-spotted' or the more numerous 'red-spotted'.
Although these birds can be quite secretive, our bluethroats here have been very obliging and coming close to the pathway which you can view them from. The sighting of this rare bird has caused an influx in visitors to the gully. We urge you to please keep to the path and not to wander down into the gully or across to the other side of this bank. As well as the bluethroat, this habitat is so important for a whole range of wildlife; birds including firecrests, chiffchaffs, robins and other chats and warblers use the gorse for food and shelter. The vegetated shingle itself is sensitive and protected by SSSI designation. The encrusting lichen on Dungeness shingle is extremely rare and an important micro-habitat for many insects. Even one person walking on it can alter the position of the shingle, taking it decades to recover. Many good sightings and photographs have been taken of the bluethroat from the road and there is no need to walk down in the gully to look for it. This will not only disturb or stress the bird, but it would also reduce the likelihood of others being able to see such a gorgeous little bird.
Bluethroats are passage migrants and will stop around the South and East coastlines of Britain for insects and caterpillars in scrubby areas. It is thought that around 80-500 bluethroats (both subspecies) will pass through the UK each year.
Male white-spotted bluethroat - Graham Parry
The first signs of spring are here. White-spotted bluethroats are early migrants and will appear in March, as will the wheatear, another member of the Chat family. Wheatears come to the UK from tropical Africa to breed. Most pass through Dungeness to reach the upland habitat in northern and western Britain but some will stay around the south east area to breed in small numbers.
Male wheatear- Graham Parry
Female wheatear - Graham Parry
Other migrants that have been sighted this week are sandwich terns, a spoonbill and black redstarts. Black redstarts are resident here as well as migrants, we usually see these birds on passage here at Dungeness. The spoonbill was seen yesterday morning at Denge Marsh but has carried on it's way now. Another sign of spring is our booming bittern! A male has been heard booming more frequently now which is great news. Hoping for some good sounds and sights on our Bittern Breakfast events as well as some successful nests this year.
Sandwich tern with lunch - Graham Parry