Black Redstarts Aplenty Wheatears and Water Pipit at Dungeness

Sunday 23rd March 2025

Dungeness Kent

East Grinstead RSPB Local Group

(16 members present)

Trip Report

Despite the wet weather and the long journey, our members turned out in force today - well done, everyone!  For those who stayed all day, the reward was a magnificent species count of 67, including a rarity and some superb early spring migrant birds.  The birding, like the weather, was a slow burner, gradually improving and culminating in a grand finale.

We met in the car park outside the now-closed Visitor Centre and then spent the morning and early afternoon following the yellow route, known as the Nature Discovery Trail.  After lunch, we relocated to the ARC Hanson Hide before moving around to the power station area for some seawatching and to look for incoming migrant birds.

The morning session primarily involved moving around the reserve, dodging the rain by using the hides and viewing screens overlooking Burrows Pit.  By midday, we had gradually accumulated almost fifty species.  Most were the "usual suspects" but there were several highlights:-

• A distant, female goldeneye was the pick of the bunch - too distant for our cameras, I'm afraid.
• Several common gulls were on display, including this one that shared a small island with two lapwings.

Courtesy of Martin Jeffree

• At least two Egyptian geese were seen on the raised bank near Christmas Dell hide

Courtesy of Martin Jeffree

• This brown hare was an interesting distraction.

Courtesy of Phil Aylen

• These midges were less welcome, causing us some discomfort all the way from the new hide right through to Dengemarsh hide.

Courtesy of Phil Aylen

• There was an unusually large presence of reed buntings today.

Courtesy of Martin Jeffree

Our species list was growing quite well but we desperately needed a stellar sighting.  That happened in the Hayfield area. 

• John was the first to spot a water pipit on the flooded fields, and in no time at all, we were viewing it through our telescopes, as it was too far away for a clear binocular view.  

Courtesy of Phil Aylen

• Not long afterwards, this beautiful black tailed godwit appeared at the far end of the same field.  It was already in summer plumage and looked absolutely stunning.

Courtesy of Martin Jeffree

Our stay in Denge Marsh Hide was quite productive:-

• This great white egret was our first of the day.

Courtesy of Phil Aylen

• As expected, we saw a marsh harrier here.

Courtesy of Phil Aylen

• As we walked back to the car park for lunch, a bearded tit was heard in the viewing ramp area.  Kevin then caught a glimpse of a Dartford warbler as it shot across the track in front of him.

We then relocated to the ARC pit and the Hanson hide.  

• John pointed out two swallows in the sky above us as we were about to head down to the hide.  

• Just as on the main reserve, water levels were high, and all the islands were submerged, limiting the birds in view.

Our final destination of the day was over by the power station where we enjoyed a brief seawatch.

• Alan picked out the first of several gannets flying over the waves in the distance.

Courtesy of Phil Aylen

• John was the first to spot a small flock of common scoters flying east.

Courtesy of Phil Aylen

• There were several harbour porpoises which popped their head above the water from time to time.

 

Our seawatch was interrupted by some spectacular events unfolding in the shingle area near the beach huts.

• Phil had already picked out a cracking male black redstart and it soon became apparent that there were more.

Courtesy of Martin Jeffree

• This red fox decided to join in the action and remained close by for the remainder of the time.

Courtesy of Phil Aylen

By now, everyone was thinking of heading home. Some had left after lunch and others departed now.

The remaining seven members were debating whether or not to look for wheatears in the area between the two lighthouses.  Just then, a couple of birders came by and told us that they had just seen two wheatears on the far side of the eastern lighthouse.  The debate was over, and we made our way to the designated area.

• En route, we came across black redstart after black redstart to the point where we were confident that we  had made over ten sightings equating to at least six birds.

Courtesy of Phil Aylen

• Quite soon, we spotted our first wheatear exactly where they were supposed to be.  One became two and, finally, we saw a third, all looking majestic in the bright sunlight.

Courtesy of Phil Aylen

Courtesy of Martin Jeffree

What a treat!  These, like most of the black redstarts, must have been recent arrivals from the sea and were feeding up before moving on to new pastures.

Phil, attentive to the very end, spotted a peregrine on the pylons by the power station.  We saw one earlier from Denge Marsh hide but it was too far away to get a decent photograph.  No such problem this time.

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Courtesy of Phil Aylen

An unbelievable finish to a great day!

  Thanks once again, Kevin.

  

Species List

Species count = 67

2025 species count = 136

New Species:

133  Water Pipit

134  Common Scoter

135  Wheatear

136  Barnacle Goose  sen at Scotney Gravel Pits as we drove home