Dungeness with the East Grinstead RSPB Local Group

Saturday 16th October 2021

Dungeness Kent

East Grinstead RSPB Local Group

This was a splendid trip with over 60 bird species seen.  Once again, there was plenty of variety with something for everyone to enjoy.  

It was nice to welcome back another 4 members, who joined us for the first time since the pandemic.  We spent the morning on the reserve, moved over to the ARC Pits after lunch before driving round to the coast to finish with a short seawatch. The weather was dry and overcast, typical for the time of the year, but a tad cold by the sea.

The situation on the reserve has caused deep concern to the regulars in recent months with most of the hides closed for repair, leaving birders woefully short of shelter and comfort.  The re-opening of Dengemarsh Hide last week has eased the problems somewhat and the new lookouts at Firth and Scott are proving popular in good weather.  

A large group of Sussex Wildlife Trust members set off just before us so we decided to change our plan and go round the reserve in the reverse direction to avoid competition for the limited places in the hides.  Quite by accident, we came across the delightful, new, Outland Trail, a 1.8 km route, to the east of the main drive, giving excellent views over Burrowes Pit and New Diggings.

The main birding highlights on the reserve are listed below:

• It's a sign of the times that we can report sightings of all 3 egret species without anyone raising an eyebrow.  A few years ago this would have caused a sensation.   We saw 6 Cattle Egrets, at least 6 Great White Egrets and a few Little Egrets, all showing well at different times during our visit.  
• The reserve is a strong point for Marsh Harriers and we saw them regularly flying majestically over the reeds and water.
• Perhaps the rarest bird we saw was the Black-necked Grebe near the Scott Lookout.
• Over 100 Golden Plover made a lovely sight both on the ground as a closely packed flock and in the air as they flew around with the Lapwings.
• We saw a lone Dunlin and a couple of Black-tailed Godwits and a Snipe.
• Pick of the ducks was perhaps the drake Pintail seen from Firth Lookout and the lovely Gadwall seen on the ARC Pit.
• There was a huge Great Black-backed Gull presence but only a small number of Lesser Black-backed Gulls. 

The pair of Glossy Ibis's were tantalisingly tucked in behind the reeds at Cook's Pool but would not show for us.

The Slavonian Grebe, seen earlier in the day on the ARC Pits, had departed by the time we got there.  

The seawatching in the afternoon was interesting and quite productive with the highlights listed below:

• There were quite a few Guillemots swimming close to the shore and giving great views.
• The Gannets showed off their majestic flying skills.
• Several Kittiwakes were also flying by.
• The Sandwich Terns were noisy, as usual.

Red-throated Divers had been seen earlier in the day but we were unable to find any.

Sadly there was little evidence of bird migration, which seems to be the case in many parts of the south east.  Equally sadly, there was clear evidence of human migration with a border patrol boat escorting the latest group of migrants from France into custody here.

A great day out - we are slowly getting the group back to normal!