Frosty, crisp, windless days have graced us this week at Dungeness. I had a chance to enjoy a morning in the winter sun wandering the nature trail on Wednesday. I am amazed at how many robins and wrens I came across and I never tire watching their behaviour. I was also lucky enough to observe a little egret catching fish in the reedbed outside Scott hide and I also had my first proper sighting of bearded tits over by the viewing point at Denge Marsh. 2 males and 3 females were pinging about the reedbeds and using the grit tray!
We've also had our first smew of the winter! 2 females arrived on Friday and are situating themselves on Burrowes pit. We also have goosander, more goldeneye and a scaup as well as lots of shoveler and wigeon too.
Female smew by Ben Hall
Bewicks swans have been sighted frequently, as well as bitterns and great white egrets. A red-breasted merganser drake was seen on Burrowes pit last week along with a common scoter and over 800 cormorants!
Bewicks swans at Dungeness by Martin Casemore
Red breasted merganser by Paul Chesterfield
Other sightings on the reserve have been the long-eared owl by the dipping pond and the ring neck duck on the Boulderwall lake. The cattle have been moved off the reserve for the winter now so it is unlikely we will see their cattle egret friend again for a while.
Lots of birds have been using the feeders in the car park now that the weather is starting to turn colder. Some of the more unusual birds seen are a green and great spotted woodpecker and a brambling!