The squacco heron is still at Hooker’s pits and the great white egret on Denge Marsh. Two little gulls were reported – one over Denge Marsh, one over the ARC pit. Three ravens (two adults and a juvenile) were seen near the entrance track.
A squacco heron was found near Hooker's pits early this morning. After hiding for a while it is now feeding in the open. The great white egret also put in an appearance and the bittern has been booming.
A windy but sunny day today delivered some great birds. Two spoonbill were seen flying west over Denge Marsh this morning and then one was seen this afternoon over ARC. Was it one of the original birds returning? A green sandpiper was seen from the viewing screen whilst the great white egret was viewable from Denge Marsh. A Little gull was also seen at Denge Marsh. Several Hobbys could be seen warming up in the sunshine on the shingle banks first thing this morning before they took to the air to be seen throughout the day over Denge marsh and the pits along the entrance track.
Heather Chantler
Highlights since the weekend have included the following birds: the bittern can still be heard booming near the Hookers viewpoint on a daily basis , the Great white egret has been seen each day in the Denge marsh area, many Hobby's can be seen feeding over the reserve, waders have been making an appearance with Dunlin, redshank, sanderling and Little ringed plover seen from the wildlife hides around Burrowes pit, at least one Cuckoo has been calling each day, swifts can be seen flying across the pits, there was one yellow wagtail at Firth Hide on 6 June and a black-necked grebe was reported on 7 June.
Lifelong learning Officer
With glorious weather all week there have been plenty of sightings to report:
Bar-headed goose - two at Denge Marsh on 28 May, Garganey - a male at Denge Marsh on 30 May, Bittern - one booming near Hookers viewpoint since mid-March, Great white egret - one at Denge marsh on 2 June, Merlin - carpark area on 29 May, Hen harrier - one flying over on 29 May, Common crane - two flying over on 1 June, Avocet - three on ARC on 1 June, Turnstone - one at Christmas dell on 2 June, Little Gull - one on Burrowes on 1 June, Honey buzzard - one flying over on 1 June, Kingfisher - one from scott hide on 1 June, Spotted flycatcher - near carpark on 28 May, Marsh warbler - singing at Denge marsh on 1 June, Raven - three over Denge marsh on 1 June.
There have also been daily sightings of Black-tailed godwits, Little ringed plover, Sanderling and Dunlin around the edges of the pits. Over the many water bodies there have been Sandwich, Common and Little tern during the week whilst Garden warbler and lesser whitethroat have been seen and heard along the trail. Over the pits alongside the entrance track up to 12 Hobby have been feeding on dragonflies and showing off their amazing aerobatics.
With the many unique plants found here at Dungeness in flower,June is a lovely month for a visit to the reserve. Look out for the tall blue Vipers Bugloss and the rare Nottingham catchfly, pollinated by moths as you walk round the trail. Butterflies and dragonflies abound and keep an eye open for weasels catching lizards to feed thier young.
We hope to see you soon