Dungeoness 2005

RSPB Dungeness
& The Patch 22nd October 2005

This was yet another trip that due to numbers booked (only fourteen) we had to cancel the coach.

We were determined that the trip should go ahead so nine members traveled to Dungeness using three cars..

After stopping for breakfast en route, we eventually arrived at the Dungeness RSPB Reserve.

One of the first birds to be seen was a Merlin which flew across the lake towards us to put up a flock of Goldfinch. We had excellent views of this bird.

We continued around the reserve entering all the hides. The third hide produced two more raptors, a Kestrel & a Sparrowhawk. There were many ducks of all the usual species on the water. We reached the fourth hide just as it started to rain. From here we had clear and close views of Black-necked Grebe. After about five minutes, the rain stopped.

We continued on our walk around the reserve and were rewarded with Stonechat & a late female Wheatear. Many birds were flitting about, Meadow Pipits, Goldfinch, Dunnocks, Robins etc, it was a pleasure to be out.

There is a new hide that overlooks the marsh area. There were not many waders, only Lapwings although many Golden Plovers were flying around.

We continued on our way arriving back at the Visitors’ Centre where we had lunch.

As we left the reserve a Grass Snake, approximately four feet long, slithered across the road, within about three feet of us in the leading car.

We went to a recently acquired lake that is just across the road from the RSPB reserve entrance, where two new hides had been built. There was a large gull roost with many Black-backed gulls and amongst these were a few Dunlin and a Little Stint.

After thirty minutes or so we headed for “The Patch” as the time was getting on. We trudged across the shingle to watch the birds in the sea off the power station.

There were plenty of birds flying over and around the outlet from the power station although there was nothing unusual. A flight of eight Common Scoter flew past.

The light was beginning to fade so we returned to our cars and left the area at five o’clock for the journey home.

We had seen over forty species, the weather had been kind with just the one shower. It was a most enjoyable day.

Dave Jones (photographs by Dave Jennings)