I am down in Kent for a week from Saturday i always visit Dungerness and on last visit saw a Bittern, just wondering what i should be looking out for next week and any other places near to ashford i should make a trip to
Oare Marshes is always worth a visit- compact and wide variety of marsh, reed-bed and shrub/woodland birds.
O.S Map 178 TR 013647: Nr Faversham
Postcode: ME13 OQA
"The reserve consists of over 81 hectares of grazing marsh with freshwater dykes, open water ‘scrapes’, seawall and saltmarsh.The reserve is of international importance for migratory, over-wintering and breeding wetland birds."
Cheers i will make the trip
you could try Hothfield Heath/common on the A20 out of Ashford, It is one of the last lowland heathlands in Kent and is managed by the Kent Wildlife trust, it has been good for green woodpecker lately. Blean wood complex is near Canterbury can also be good for birding.
I passed that on Friday on my way i certainly will go as Green Woodpecker would be new spot for me...cheers
Visited Samphire Hoe yesterday the warden there is very friendly....saw a pair of Peregrines including a large young female which was huge..for a Peregrine. Also saw a redstart near the rail lines
Dungerness yesterday ARC pit was full of activity with Great Egret. Peregrine and Marsh harrier on show with a Snipe at Denge as well
If you head for Rye via Camber from Dungeness, the road goes through some great habitat, including past the huge Scotney Gravel Pit which often attracts divers, scarcer grebes and seaducks - scope definitely needed to get the best of it. Rye Harbour is a fantastic birding area, though you need a day (at least) to walk the whole thing. The beach reserve can be done in an afternoon. The Bittern viewpoint is a good place to finish the day, with up to four Bitterns coming in to roost some years, and a good chance of seeing/hearing Barn Owl, Water Rail and Jack Snipe. Carrying on along the coast road towards Hastings, Pett Pools and beach is always worth a look for raptors, ducks and waders, while Fairlight cliffs are good for seawatching (Red-throated Divers and seaduck offshore, chance of Peregrine and Raven on the cliffs).
Hi-
Dungeness has been known to naturalists for over 100 years. It's a great place. I used to visit and stay a lot but was effectively told I was no longer welcome there 20 years ago and haven't been back.
Maybe one day :))
S
cheers will make the trip over to rye later this week
banned from Dungerness?
there is a Glossy Ibris at Dungerness but i didn't see it but may go back for a quick look on the way to Rye