Dungeness with the Ashdown Bird Group

 I have simply copied the report I produced for the Ashdown Bird Group below.  

Sunday 19th September 2021,

Dungeness, Kent

Ashdown Bird Group

(11 members present)

Trip Report

For our fourth outing of the year we visited the Dungeness area, taking in the nature reserve for most of the day before finishing up by the power station and the sea late in the afternoon. We were rewarded with some excellent birding with at least 68 species seen, including all of our target birds and several pleasant surprises. 

This was the first time most of us had been back to the reserve since the pandemic started and it was disappointing to find four of the seven hides had been closed for urgent repairs, a fifth had been demolished completely and there was no longer any viewing possible from the Visitor Centre. Thankfully two new Lookouts had been created to allow some viewing. Only Dennis’ Hide and the hardly frequented Christmas Dell Hide remain open to provide any protection from the elements in bad weather. No such problems for us today however - the weather was kind to us with cool and pleasant conditions throughout.

 

The target species for the day were Black Tern, Hobby, Cattle Egret, Glossy Ibis and Black-necked Grebe, all of which had been seen recently on the reserve.

 

• We got off to an absolute flyer, seeing 2 Black Terns from Dennis’ Hide, with a Common Tern thrown in for good luck.  

•  Our first Marsh Harrier of the day flew over the water on the opposite side to us.
• From the viewing area just outside the hide, whilst looking at the common passerines, we came across a Lesser Whitethroat and shortly afterwards we heard and then saw a Cetti’s Warbler before it flew down to the bushes below.  A double bonus and we had only just started!

• Next stop was the new Firth Lookout, where we quickly came upon 3 Ruff in the vegetation by the edge of the water.  This was the first of several views we were to get of them today. Another welcome surprise.  

             

• A few Golden Plover were around and they were soon joined by a much bigger flock – looking immaculate in the good light.
• Sue and Bob P re-joined us as did Dick and Dot a little while later and they added Sparrowhawk,  Hobby and  Water Rail to our growing list of impressive birds.    By now the rest of the group had also seen Hobby and Sparrowhawk as well as several Great White Egrets and more Marsh Harriers.
•  Bird of the day came right out of the blue, just after midday.  Alas, only 4 of us got to see it.  Alison, Bob R , Martin and myself had gone ahead to the Viewing Ramp to look for Bearded Tits.  While we were there, Alison spotted a large bird in the distance which Martin soon identified as an Osprey.  All four of us then enjoyed several minutes watching as it flew past us and out towards the power station.  Joy, John and Ian eventually caught up with us but by then the Osprey had gone.  

• Earlier, they had been watching a Swift – surely one of the last to still be in the country and a real surprise.

    

      After lunch we were heading over to the ARC Pits when we spotted some activity near the cattle at Boulderwell Farm so we stopped to investigate.

• The large white bird that drew our attention turned out to be another Great White Egret but someone noticed other birds close by.  These turned out to be a mix of Little Egrets and Cattle Egrets with the numbers increasing as further birds arrived on the scene.  In the end we saw at least 5 of the latter.  

• Joy spotted a large dark bird dropping down into the vegetation nearby and, as she was sure it wasn’t a Cormorant, we immediately thought it could be the Glossy Ibis that we were expecting to find over at the ARC Pits.  The bird soon took flight again and we quickly identified it as the Glossy Ibis.  What a magnificent view we got as it flew around us before leaving.

      Over at the ARC Pits, the main Hanson Hide was closed.  The area around the Screen Hide was so overgrown as to render it impossible to view from there. We had no choice but to climb onto the banks adjacent to the hide, breaking all the rules, in order to observe the birds on the water. 

·         We were fortunate to see the last of our target species, the Black-necked Grebe.  In fact we saw 2 with some excellent, if somewhat distant, views.

·         As well as the usual species, we also saw more Great White Egrets and yet another Marsh Harrier.

                                                                                                                                      

       A short drive took us to our final destination by the sea and the power station.

·         Our efforts to find Black Redstarts went unrewarded but we did find a rather nice Grey Wagtail moving around inside the power station complex.

·         On the sea the pick of the birds was a Red-throated Diver, surprisingly close to the shore.

·          …..and several distant Gannets.

 

 

 

·       Of course, we also saw a number of butterflies including Small White, Large White, Small Copper, Clouded Yellow, Red Admiral and Painted Lady.

·         Also seen were Migrant Hawker, Damselfly, Common Darter, Southern Hawker.

·         On the sea, a seal kept popping its head up.  

 

 

Another cracking day out!