Thursday 2nd July 2026
Dungeness and the Walland Marsh
“The One That Kept Getting Away”My scepticism was well
founded. One bird I have chased time and again since taking early retirement is
the Caspian Gull. Most sightings have been well away from Sussex – in
Cambridgeshire, Norfolk or Suffolk – and every trip seemed to end with the same
frustrating words:
"You've just missed it. It was here, but it's just
left."
When one turned up at
Dungeness yesterday, I was doubly frustrated because my car was in for a major
service and I couldn't get there. Then came today's news that it was still
present. That was all the encouragement I needed, and shortly after lunch I set
off on the 90-minute drive to Dungeness.
At Last - Success!
As I walked into the viewing point outside Dennis's Hide, I was greeted
with the words I'd almost stopped believing I would hear:
"It's still here and showing well!"What a relief!I quickly found the
bird through my binoculars before a friendly Kent birder kindly invited me to
look through his telescope for an even better view. Even then, old habits die
hard, and I couldn't quite believe my luck. I had deliberately rushed to the
viewing point without my own telescope, just in case this long-awaited lifer
decided to disappear again before I got there. Once I knew it was settled, I
returned to the car to fetch my scope.
The Caspian Tern was resting peacefully on
the pebbled island in front of the viewing point, looking completely at ease.
After about ten minutes it took to the air, treating us to some superb flight
views before drifting away towards Dengemarsh, something it had apparently done
several times since arriving.
Dungeness and the Walland Marsh
"You've just missed it. It was here, but it's just
left."
At Last - Success!
As I walked into the viewing point outside Dennis's Hide, I was greeted with the words I'd almost stopped believing I would hear:
"It's still here and showing well!"
What a relief!The Caspian Tern was resting peacefully on the pebbled island in front of the viewing point, looking completely at ease. After about ten minutes it took to the air, treating us to some superb flight views before drifting away towards Dengemarsh, something it had apparently done several times since arriving.
Courtesy of James Tipple
Courtesy of ??
One More Target BirdBy now it was around 4.30 pm, but there was still one more bird I wanted
to catch up with. For some time I had promised myself that I would finally visit the Tree Sparrows on Walland Marsh. They
were once regulars around Boulderwall Farm before relocating to the marsh,
where, thanks to some excellent conservation work, the population has recovered
well.
Before leaving the
reserve, I had a chat with John, one of the volunteers, who couldn't have been
more helpful. He pointed me in the right direction and also mentioned that
Wheatears and Yellow Wagtails had
been seen along the route.
A Marsh Full of Birds
The walk towards Scotney Court Farm was a pleasure in itself. Scores of
Yellow Wagtails brightened the fields, while Corn Buntings and Linnets were
also much in evidence. Despite a careful search, the Wheatears remained
elusive.
Courtesy of James Tipple
The Tree Sparrows,
however, more than made up for it. They were first perched on the roof of the
barn before dropping down behind it, where they showed brilliantly and allowed
some wonderful close views.
Courtesy of James Tipple
Courtesy of James Tipple
A Marsh Full of Birds
The walk towards Scotney Court Farm was a pleasure in itself. Scores of Yellow Wagtails brightened the fields, while Corn Buntings and Linnets were also much in evidence. Despite a careful search, the Wheatears remained elusive.
The Tree Sparrows, however, more than made up for it. They were first perched on the roof of the barn before dropping down behind it, where they showed brilliantly and allowed some wonderful close views.
Birders Being BirdersOne of the real pleasures of the afternoon was meeting so many friendly
birders. Although complete strangers, everyone was happy to share information,
stories and advice.
One particularly
helpful duo told me about a Little Owl that had been showing at Pigwell, on the
road back towards Lydd. They had enjoyed excellent views earlier and very
kindly took me to the exact spot before we headed home. Sadly, the owl had
other ideas and remained hidden, but at least I now know where to look on
future visits to Dungeness.
A Day to RememberA long-awaited lifer, two valuable year ticks and a thoroughly enjoyable
afternoon in good company made the journey more than worthwhile.
Days like this remind me why I still enjoy the occasional twitch. The
anticipation, the relief when everything falls into place, the unexpected
conversations with fellow birders and, above all, the sheer pleasure of finally
connecting with a bird that has evaded me for years.
Sometimes persistence really does pay
off.
New species for the 2026 Year List:
173 Caspian Tern
174 Yellow Wagtail175 Tree Sparrow
One particularly helpful duo told me about a Little Owl that had been showing at Pigwell, on the road back towards Lydd. They had enjoyed excellent views earlier and very kindly took me to the exact spot before we headed home. Sadly, the owl had other ideas and remained hidden, but at least I now know where to look on future visits to Dungeness.
A Day to Remember
A long-awaited lifer, two valuable year ticks and a thoroughly enjoyable
afternoon in good company made the journey more than worthwhile.Days like this remind me why I still enjoy the occasional twitch. The anticipation, the relief when everything falls into place, the unexpected conversations with fellow birders and, above all, the sheer pleasure of finally connecting with a bird that has evaded me for years.
Sometimes persistence really does pay
off.
New species for the 2026 Year List:
173 Caspian Tern
174 Yellow Wagtail
