Dungeness RSPB - cool, cloudy, E4 - Birding can be a funny old game, take this morning for example. The weather app predicted a brisk wind rattling in from the east with scudding clouds and the ever present threat of rain; far from ideal conditions then for a guided walk for 12 people around the circular trail of the bird reserve. However, nothing ventured, nothing gained and after a brief intro we headed for Dennis`s hill to scan the top end of Burrowes where the highlights were 50 Golden Plovers, 100 Lapwings and six Dunlins on the islands, plus all the usual wildfowl including a pair of Shelducks. Small charms of Goldfinches tinkled overhead along with a trickle of Skylarks, Chaffinches, Meadow Pipits, Linnets and Reed Buntings that continued throughout the morning. Moving onto the return trail and Robins were everywhere ticking away from cover; there had obviously been an overnight fall alongside an increase in Wrens. Several Chiffchaffs and Cetti`s Warblers were noted, a Swallow pushed on south and we had great views of several Marsh Harriers, Kestrel and Common Buzzard. From the ramp overlooking Hookers both Bearded Tit and Kingfisher showed briefly, while a flock of 12 Great White Egrets flew over Boulderwall fields towards the ARC. Another two `resident` Great Whites were seen from Dengemarsh hide, a Cattle Egret on the hayfields and two distant Ravens along the pylons. Just before Scott lookout around 100 Meadow Pipits broke cover, a Grey Plover flew over calling and a mixed flock of tits in the sallows held a few Long-tailed Tits and my first Goldcrests of autumn. The Makepeace end of Burrowes delivered good views of a redhead Goldeneye, flocks of Shovelers and Teals and loads more Lapwings. We finished at Firth washout, just as the rain started, and where 25 close Dunlins scurried around on the sands, in contrast to two distant Spoonbills asleep on an island.
So, an above average October outing then with a particularly wide variety of species noted including egrets, raptors, waders, wildfowl and passerines. I`m not much of a lister. but couldn`t resist a quick tally up - 65 species, not too shabby for only three hours in the field!
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