Seasons greetings! This is the last update before Christmas, for recent bird sightings check the BirdTrack column on the website. Remember that the reserve will be closed Christmas Day and Boxing Day, but our opening hours are still the same otherwise.
We have released our grazing sheep out onto the reserve. Grazing the shingle peninsula is a historical method, traditional of how the area used to be managed prior to urbanisation and our reserve is the only place that continues to do this. The sheep help reduce rank grass in the hollows and pit edges promoting floral diversity across the reserve. If you are visiting, keep an eye out for them as you drive or walk through the reserve and remember to keep all gates closed. Please do drive slowly down the entrance track as the sheep do like to stand right in the middle of it! Sheep don't follow the rules (see below) but please keep to the paths and keep all gates closed on the reserve too.
Wildfowl numbers have increased over the last couple of weeks. We have had up to 5 redhead smew seen on Burrowes pit almost daily, along with 5 goosanders and a pair of goldeneye. Kingfishers have also been seen more frequently as have different geese and swan species such as egyptian and brent geese and Bewick's swans. A caspian and yellow-legged gull have been seen on the reserve, mostly on Burrowes pit grouped amongst the flocks of herring gulls on the islands.
Male goosander - Ben Andrew (rspb-images.com)
The ring-necked duck is seen every day on the same lake by Boulderwall farm house, so keep an eye out for him as you come down the track. The long-eared owl can be seen by the dipping pond, but he doesn't seem as well behaved as last year and sightings of him have been sporadic.
A very festive lapland bunting was seen on the reserve last week. In addition a corn bunting was seen yesterday! Bearded tits are still showing well by the grit tray on the ramp. Catch them on a rare windless morning and you could watch them for hours.
Lapland bunting
Corn bunting by Tom Marshall (rspb-images.com)
Throughout the Christmas holidays we have a festive trail for children to follow. Find the answers to the cracker jokes as you go round the reserve and win a festive candy on your return to the visitor centre if you find them all! It's only £1 to take part (entry fees apply) so why not spend a day outdoors and enjoy Dungeness in the winter time.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!