Dungeness RSPB Reserve Catchup

 On 2nd January the Great Northern Diver has a good right eye.

On 16th January, the diver looks like it has lost its right eye, although it could just be asleep? Seems to have moved on now, last seen on the reserve on Thursday 22nd January.

In the willows near the Pines, a couple of Firecrests were in the company of several Goldcrests and a couple of Chiffchaffs within a roving Tit flock.

The flock of Bewick's Swans remain on Walland Marsh with Nadine the neck-tagged female from north-east Europe.

A large flock of c.1,300 Fieldfare at Hawthorn Corner on Walland Marsh was an impressive recent surprise. Where did they come from? Another 200 flew up from around Coldharbour Farm.

Compared to the winter of 2024/2025 the number of Goldeneye on the reserve is far fewer this winter. The maximum I have seen is six.

Greater White-fronted Geese flying around Dengemarsh. After a gap of a couple of weeks, a flock appeared at Beaconsfield on Walland. 

Always a treat to see, numbers of Jack Snipe being found on the reserve is less than last winter. Without thermal cameras it is likely that we wouldn't be finding them at all. The great aspect of looking for them with thermal cameras is that we don't flush them.

During the strong winds earlier in the month several hundred Lapwings attempted to roost on the islands at Burrowes Pit. 

Never a common bird on the reserve, but recently there have been upto four Pintail making use of ARC and Burrowes Pits.

It can be difficult to record Snipe on the reserve but the islands at New Excavations have become a good place to see them. There are nine in this photo.

Snipe

On ARC, the anti-mammal fencing is used by resting duck as an anchor. Previously I have seen Wigeon making use of it and this time mostly Teal.

New Islands, New Hide and Gulls

The new islands created in 2024 at Dengemarsh, RSPB Dungeness are being used by good numbers of Lapwing and the occasional Snipe this winter. Gulls also seem to like roosting on them.

Lapwings roosting on the new islands at Dengemarsh

Bad hair day in the recent strong winds

Normally difficult to get a good look at Snipe on the reserve recently due to high water levels restricting where they can hide. This one was nice an obvious on the island with the Lapwings.

Saw this gull on Burrowes Pit through bins and immediately thought first winter Caspian but on checking my photos I now think it is a first winter Yellow-legged Gull. 

First winter Yellow-legged Gull

First winter Yellow-legged Gull

I then located this first winter Caspian Gull on the islands at Dengemarsh.

First winter Caspian Gull (centre) in flight with Herring Gulls of various ages

First winter Caspian Gull in flight 

First winter Caspian Gull (left) with Herring Gulls of various ages

Here is the new hide to replace the old Makepeace hide arriving and partially built. Hopefully not too long before it can be used. 

The replacement for Makepeace hide going up. I think the plan is for part of the roof to be a living roof which no doubt the Herring Gulls will love. 

Wind W turning N by midday, low 11C, high 13C, rain showers, low cloud all day. Rain easing by late afternoon. 

After a night of rain showers and recent days of heavy rain showers the water levels on the RSPB Pits has now covered the emerging shingle on ARC and Burrowes pits, leaving little room for roosting gulls.

Only the vegetated islands now visible from Hanson hide, even the Cormorant island can only fit 10 at a squeeze.

The new islands created on New Excavations as viewed from Xmas Dell hide. So far Lapwings are taking advantage of the islands to roost and good numbers of Snipe are foraging on vegetation created by the reed clearance.

Messages indicated that a moderate fall of Chiffchaffs had again occurred in the area so I headed for ARC with a view to check the willows and scrub. Between the car park and the Pines I had 37 Chiffchaffs, singles of Firecrest and Goldcrest and two Blackcaps. Then along the Hanson track a further 29 Chiffs and two more Blackcaps. Overhead a light movement of five Reed Buntings and 10 Meadow Pipits heading west. From Hanson hide, 70 Lapwings, 244 Shoveler a single Pintail, five Snipe a single Black-tailed Godwit, the Glossy Ibis, a Kingfisher and a Black-necked Grebe. A mixed foraging flock c.200 hirundines over the pit.

On Burrowes the number of Teal has increased since Monday's WeBS count to 98 with 237 Lapwing on Burrowes and Xmas Dell. Numbers of hirundines were building on Burrowes with c.500 birds, mostly House Martins and the odd Swallow and Sand Martin. I did an hours count (12:45-13:45) from Xmas Dell with 1,053 House Martins, eight Swallows and 11 Meadow Pipits west.

Snipe

Lapwings roosting on New Excavations Islands

Black-necked Grebe

Chiffchaff