Dungeness RSPB - warm, dry and sunny, SW2 - Fine autumnal weather conditions for a guided walk around the circular trail for a group from Tunbridge Wells, and to be fair there was plenty of variety on offer. As before, Chiffchaffs, Robins and Cetti`s Warblers were commonplace while there was a bit more overhead passage than yesterday in the shape of Skylarks, Meadow Pipits, alba wagtails, Chaffinches and a few grounded Reed Buntings, Blackbirds and a Song Thrush. Several each of Little and Great White Egrets were noted across the wetlands while a single Cattle Egret was in hayfield 2. A Jack Snipe flew over the Christmas Dell complex and at least 12 Common Snipes were counted from the hide. Highlight of the morning was a pair of Bearded Tits `gritting` in the recently spruced up tray in the reedbed, while three Marsh Harriers included a spectacular pale-backed adult female. Also noted along the way several Kestrels, a Raven over calling, a Green Sandpiper on Dengemarsh, a Golden Plover overhead, a swirling murmuration of a thousand Starlings and all the usual wildfowl, gulls and Cormorants, while we finished off at Firth lookout with close views of a Black-necked Grebe; was also great to see the base for the new Makepeace hide had just been laid (at the original site!). During the course of the circuit we logged a respectable 65 species of birds, for a very appreciative birding group, plus several each of Smooth Newt, Migrant Hawker and Common Darter also enjoying the late autumn sunshine.
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