Spoonbills are in the genus Platalea, which are large long-legged wading birds. The genus name Platalea derives from Latin and means "broad", referring to the distinctive shape of the bill. They pass through the reserve every spring and autumn on migration to and from their breeding and wintering grounds. We seem to get a small handful each time and this week we had 5 spotted feeding around the reserve for a few days.
Spoonbills at ARC - Graham Parry
Visitors have also been receiving cracking views of bittern from the ARC Hanson hide and today's count of cattle egrets in the Boulderwall fields reached a total of 9. The pectoral sandpiper was seen again yesterday at Denge Marsh. We also had 15 snipe reported at one time by Denge Marsh hide. There were three separate reports of a rough-legged buzzard on Wednesday which is a rarity for Dungeness although some birders were sceptical. Grey herons, little and great white egrets have been reported in large numbers around the reserve. The fish and frogs must be extra abundant this month!
Egrets feeding - Graham Parry