10/12/2017 Dungeness in the Wind and Rain with the EGRSPB Local Group

Sunday 10 December 2017
RSPB Dungeness then Lade Gravel Pits

The strong winds and flooded roads had a devastating effect on numbers for our December outing to RSPB Dungeness.  Most members cried off the day before after looking up the forecast.  On the day Terry and Alan set off but turned back after the roads became too dangerous.  Only Elizabeth and Mark, Michael and I were able to get through.

The weather at Dungeness was initially wet and very windy but it slowly started to clear, becoming dry by late morning.  Dungeness is a bountiful habitat for wildlife and, despite the inclement weather, we were rewarded with an excellent day's birding, a species count of 50 and some very interesting birds.

The strategy at first was to observe birds on Burrowes from the shelter of the hides along from the visitor's centre.  We moved gradually from Dennis's hide through to Denge Marsh hide, calling at each of the others hides in turn.  We then retraced our steps to the warmth and comfort of the visitor's centre for lunch.  Luckily, the staff were serving complimentary mulled wine which, under the circumstances, was most appreciated.

• Perhaps the biggest spectacle was provided by the 200+ Shovelers that congregated at the far end of Burrowes and seen from Scott hide.  This had to be the largest gathering of these birds any of us has ever seen.  What made them stand out from the 100+ Teal, 100+ Tufted Ducks, 100+ Pochard and 1000+ Cormorants was their fabulous plumage which showed so well in the prevailing lighting conditions.

• Two Kingfishers were seen, one from the visitor's centre just after we registered and another, giving a more prolonged sighting, from Scott Hide.  Two female Goldeneye gave us a real treat as they drifted past Makepeace hide.  There were 20+ Pintail around with some stunning males showing well. 
• The star item had to be the 3 Great White Egrets that were scattered around the pit opposite Denge Marsh hide.

• After lunch, we moved across the road to the ARC pit, stopping off at the cottage to get our customary view of the famous Dungeness Tree Sparrows at the feeders.  A Snipe and yet another Great White Egret were the highlights of this visit.

• Elizabeth, Mark and I finished the day at Lade Gravel Pits where we soon saw a fabulous Slavonian Grebe at the far side of the water.  After a thorough search, Mark spotted the Long-tailed Duck in the same area and we enjoyed a good, if brief, view of this bird before it disappeared behind some reeds.  A close drake Goldeneye looked immaculate in the fading light.  Also seen was a single Wigeon - the only one seen all day!  By the time we moved to the sea, near the car park at Lade, it was getting very dark and with a high tide, we drew a blank in our search for the waders that had eluded us all day.

An exciting day battling against the elements but well worth the effort.