As we approach the end of Mental Health Awareness week, it's been a good time to reflect on how this year’s 'theme' of nature, really rings true for many staff, volunteers and visitors to RSPB Dungeness. Nature is good for all of us in so many ways. Not only providing us with the fresh air that keeps viruses at bay (you know the ones I mean), but how trees and plants literally provide oxygen to support all other living things on this planet. Listening to the birds singing in the morning can really set you up right for the day. Walking, running, cycling and swimming in natural places is so good for our physical health as well as mental stimulation. The scents and the colours of flowers in our gardens and parks (or even at home in a vase) give so much joy to people. Seeing your first butterfly of the year is an instant lift in mood. Baby animals? Ducklings, rabbit kits, fox cubs...what's not to love? Nature reserves; a place for escapism and solace, a little pocket of green, away from the bustle of towns and roads. We have always said that visiting Dungeness is good for your soul, and we mean it, having experienced the uplift it gives us each time we walk around the nature trail. We hope that you experience this too.
View over the reserve - Dave Clarke
We hope that you have taken time to dwell in nature this week, and if you haven't - pop down to Dungeness. There's always a friendly face, plenty of nature to fill your boots with (literally if you really wanted!), plus we've thrown in some cracking natural soundtracks (and a few ducklings) for good measure. Listen out for the cackling marsh frogs and the shrill calls of the warblers on your walks around. With swifts and swallows zooming overhead and the odd lazy bee or dragonfly dancing in the breeze, there is no better place to be.
Lesser whitethroat - Graham Parry
If you are interested in the weekly roundup of bird sightings, then look no further. This week we've had a huge influx in the number of swallows, swifts and house martins feeding around our reserve. On a duller day, they are flying much lower over the water, so you have better chances of seeing these birds. Bearded tits have been spotted in the reedbeds, the glossy ibis is still skulking about and our great white egrets are back again after a short holiday away.
Great white egret - Graham Parry
Lapwings have had their first chicks! You can see them in the Hayfields where they are safely protected from ground predators by the electric fence. A small number of other wading birds have been about; knot, common sandpiper, redshank, dunlin, ringed plover and oystercatcher have all been seen around the reserve, mostly in the wet grassland or on the Burrowes pit islands. We’ve had a peregrine falcon sighted regularly and the marsh harriers have been performing as usual.
Lapwing - Dave Clarke
There’s a black swan over at Denge Marsh, we’re not too sure where it escaped from, but it seems quite happy, and had a flyover from a purple heron on Wednesday. We’ve had up to 10 hobbies putting on amazing performances over the reserve. These beautiful summer visitors have been delighting visitors all week with their aerial displays.
Hobby - David Featherbe
So take time to appreciate wildlife this week, no matter how small it may be. Give yourself an hour or two outside taking in the sights, sounds and smells of spring!