So, it's this time of year. Hallow's eve is creeping up fast and a certain autumnal drink is back in a popular coffee shop again. As the pumpkins and squashes ripen in the fields, birds are gorging on autumn berries. After an early abundance of blackberries on the reserve it is hawthorn, blackthorn and sea buckthorn berries that are ripe at the moment.
Which mammal do you think has been feasting on berries here?
Autumn is the time to be saving food, not wasting. If you are carving pumpkins for Halloween this year, use the middles to create tasty soups, pies and other recipes. If you really aren't keen on the taste then perhaps think about putting the flesh out for wildlife who will be very grateful for this tasty treat.
Long-tailed tits, like many other birds, are flocking together for the autumn now. They have often been seen together in large numbers on the reserve. They are very nippy little birds and hard to photograph. Our regular visitor Graham Parry took the photo above, as it sat still long enough for him!
Other bird highlights this week include another spoonbill popping in, up to eight cattle egrets, 23 great white egrets, black-necked grebe, ring ouzel, brambling and buff-breasted sandpiper.
A beautiful moth known as a convolvulus hawkmoth was found in our moth trap this week too. It was huge! These hawk moths have a wingspan of approximately 10cm. They are a migrant to Britain and are found during autumn, usually with influxes of other migrant species.
We of course will be running events throughout the half-term celebrating our autumn wildlife! Drop in any time between the 20th October and the 4th November to search for Spooky Spiders around our nature trail. £1 to take part and there's a prize if you can solve all the clues.
Wild Things at Halloween
Monday 22 & Wednesday 24 October11am - 3pm
Come along to Dungeness this half-term to learn about some of the awesome and gruesome wildlife we have here! Delve into our ponds to discover leeches and toads. Mix up concoctions in a cauldron to feed the birds. Search our trail for slimy slugs and unusual fungi. Collect materials to make your own monsters to take home with you! Please wear sensible clothing and bring a packed lunch.
Children £8. Accompanying adults £2. 20% discount for Wildlife Explorers. Please book in advance by calling 01797 320588.