14/12/2014 Dungeness with the East Grinstead RSPB Group

Sunday 14th December 2014
East Grinstead RSPB
Dungeness NR

Our last group outing of the year was, fittingly, at Dungeness with 11 members making the trip.  The weather for most of the day was excellent with dry, crisp conditions; after lunch the weather deteriorated but the rain didn't arrive until 3 pm by which time we were on Walland Marsh.
 
Yet again there were many highlights:
 

• Up to 4 Great White Egrets were seen on the reserve and there hardly seemed a minute when we couldn't see one.

 

• The 3 female Smew provided the greatest pleasure.  We saw them from Dennis's Hide at the very start of our day and they set the tone for the day.

• Another magic moment occurred when a Barn Owl was spotted resting in the bushes by the water on the way from Denge Marsh Hide to the raised viewing point.  It was about 50 metres away but looked absolutely stunning in the telescope.

•  We were lucky to see 2 Kingfishers today with the one at the ARC Hide showing up frequently.  Also seen was a Water Rail, a Bearded Tit, a pair of Goldeneye including the drake, a Ruddy Duck, a Cattle Egret and numerous Marsh Harriers.

Toaday's species list:
Blackbird
Reed Bunting
Buzzard
Chaffinch
Chiffchaff
Mute Swan
Greylag Goose
Canada Goose
Wigeon
Gadwall   (10)
Teal
Pintail
Shoveler
Mallard
Tufted Duck
Pochard
Ruddy Duck
Goldeneye
Smew
Red-legged Partridge   (20)
Pheasant
Little Grebe
Great-crested Grebe
Cormorant
Cattle Egret
Little Egret
Great White Egret
Marsh Harrier
Sparrowhawk
Kestrel   (30)
Water Rail
Moorhen
Coot
Golden Plover
Lapwing
Black-headed Gull
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Stock Dove
Woodpigeon    (40)
Barn Owl
Kingfisher
Pied Wagtail
Wren
Dunnock
Robin
Stonechat
Fieldfare
 Goldcrest
Bearded Tit(heard)   (50)
Blue Tit
Great Tit
Jay
Magpie
Carrion Crow
Starling
Tree Sparrow
Greenfinch

Another good day at the office with respect to Dungeness - lots of birds, including a few specials!