Dungeness RSPB - mild, overcast, showery, SW 3 - A murky, dank morning was far from ideal weather conditions for a guided walk around the reserve for five guests. Instead we spent most of our time viewing from the visitor centre and Dennis`s, the one remaining hide on Burrowes; we tried to get shelter from Firth lookout but it was hopeless with the wind and rain lashing in. However, duck numbers were very low, presumably some having already dispersed back east for the forthcoming breeding season. A flock of around 100 Shovelers on the island in front of the VC was the highlight along with a scattering of Teal, Gadwall, Pochard, Tufted Duck and five Goldeneyes. The usual gulls and Cormorants were on the water while a Great Northern Diver was still present. Singles of Kingfisher, Chiffchaff and Cetti`s Warbler were also noted around the margins. We then drove down to Boulderwall where a flock of 18 Curlews showed well by Cook`s Pool, close to the gate, along with a few Wigeons and Shelducks and a Great White Egret on the fields. Moving onto the ARC from Hanson hide where more common wildfowl were noted on the lake, plus eight Great Crested and three Little Grebes, another Great White Egret, a flock of 15 long-tailed Tits in the sallows and 30 Lapwings overhead.
On Monday the weather was fine, dry and sunny when we paid a visit to Lade pits where a pair each of Common Buzzard and Raven displayed over the site and five Goldeneyes remained on south lake. Yesterday a farmland walk north of Romney yielded good views of a Chiffchaff in a drainage ditch and five Yellowhammers along Hope Lane, but precious little else.
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