Trip reports
Dungeness
Sunday, 25 January 2009
Making our way quickly from the car park to the hide with our faces being stung by the force of the rain, it seemed a longer walk than usual. Reaching the hide and seating ourselves along the east side so as not to have the southerly wind blow the squally rain in through the viewing slots, we interrupted one other birder already in position - we were not the only mad people abroad on this wet and windy morning. Looking out across the very choppy waters, it was not easy to spot the birds that were attempting to swim or feed in the rough conditions. Persevering with our search we managed to observe a number of species including pintail, teal, wigeon, shelduck and pochard either flying in, swimming, feeding or just sitting out the bad weather as best they could. A female goldeneye obligingly landed not too far from view. A smew, also female, swam by, constantly diving below the turbulent waters in search of nourishment. After about an hour it was time to move on and brave the inclement elements once more as the skies showed no sign of any break in the foul weather. As the ever strengthening wind blew us in the right direction we reached the cars and drove slowly over to the reception centre scanning about for any species of bird that might be visible along the track. Amazingly the rain stopped for a while as we used the available facilities before going to report to reception. The local volunteers manning the centre were surprised to see us as they did not expect anyone to be foolish enough to venture out to birdwatch in such atrocious conditions. After a brief scan and chat from the comfort of the centre, all the time glancing at the waters of the lakes visible from behind the large glass windows, the conditions were looking like the Atlantic on a really rough voyage. We decided it would be sensible to collect our haversacks containing our food and drink before setting off on a tour of the hides, just in case the rain returned. It did!
Bypassing the other hides we headed straight to the Makepeace hide because of its strategic position giving an all-round view of the waters. As we entered the wooden hut, the wind tried to tear the door from my hand and our first observation was of the whole of the southern side of the hide awash because the strong winds had forced the rain through the gaps around the viewing slots and any other open joints. Seating ourselves in the dry areas and trying to see through the gloom, a couple of marsh harriers were just visible and making hard work of flying as they broke above the skyline along the far bank. A large flock of cormorants and gulls huddled together on what remained of their usual breeding island. Most of the islands were under water due to the amount of rain that had fallen in recent days. Moving on and heading for the Scott hide we managed to find the slavonian or horned grebe as it is now called, being tossed about on the waters alongside the pathway. From the Scott hide we were able to see a mixed flock of ducks tucked close to the leeward shore of the main lake, sheltering from the bad conditions. The water was decidedly calmer where they were all gathered - bird brain? In the distance, towards the power station, we could see huge waves from the channel crashing over the sea defences and I was thinking we probably would not bother with any sea watching today. It was about high tide, the wind had increased in velocity, and I was willing to bet there was nobody on the beach at this particular moment; come to that there probably wasn't a beach!
The Christmas Dell hide was our next stop and time to have something to eat and drink as we searched in vain for the reported black-necked grebe and possible bittern. A kingfisher did give us a nice fly-pass as it struggled against the wind. Later two female red-crested pochards flew in and landed not too far from the hide, then swam about as best they could, giving us ample time to watch and identify them. The rain had returned with a vengeance and drummed on the corrugated roof while the wind tried to move the wooden structure further to the north. With little to see, and having fed and watered ourselves, it was time to move on, or was it? Looking out across the turbulent waters and the driving rain it was not at all tempting to emerge from the relative comfort of the hide, but eventually the rain eased a little, so once more into the breach and on to the Denge Marsh hide we went.
From our new vantage point we managed to find a few more species to add to our low total for this day's visit. With no small birds seen ( there seldom are at this reserve in the winter months) and no sea watching, not to mention the weather condition ( I think I have though) it is not surprising that our bird list was not up to much. While scanning about the murky scenery, ever-hopeful of finding that winter rarity or something a little unusual, we discussed our next move. It was decided not to continue with the walk round, but to head back the way we had come and hide-hop our way to the car park, as this would give us an opportunity to take shelter if need be. This, it turned out was a wise choice because the rain did not let up and, when we reached the Christmas Dell hide once again, we were soaked, but, strangely, only down one side. Whilst sitting, watching and getting our breath back, four little grebes swam out of the reeds, which was nice to see because, it was mentioned earlier that they were usually seen in this area although none had been spotted by any of us so far.
Time to brave the elements once more with a quick walk back through the stinging rain, this time our goal being a return to the Scott hide. Reaching our shelter and taking another breather, whilst having a scan around, it seemed that the rain had begun to ease once more. One of our group ventured a look out of the door and was lucky to see a bittern fly in and drop into the reeds on the other side of the path from the hide. Gathering up our gear and rushing out we searched the noted area and eventually found the well-camouflaged bird standing just inside the line of reeds on the edge of the lake. The bittern was almost invisible against the backdrop of the vegetation. It is such a difficult bird to find even in the best of conditions. We were feeling pleased with ourselves because of the bittern sighting, also for making the right decision to retrace our footsteps rather than to continue on with the circular walk, because if the other option had been taken not only would we have missed the bittern, but most definitely our fate would have been a horrible, cold soaking.
Back at the car park and now thankfully sitting in the car with the engine running and the heater full blast, the time about 2.30 pm. Half our small number said they had had enough and were going to make tracks for home while those of us more certifiable thought it would be a good idea to go in search of a number of birds written up on the "most recent sightings" board in the reception centre. Scaup, always one of the more elusive species of duck, had been seen on the Scotney lakes. These old gravel pits, now full of water, are visible from the coast road heading towards Camber sands. Bewick swans, another winter speciality for the area, were also written up on the board; these small and seemingly wilder swans were reported being seen in fields at a place called Midley.
With the wind and rain still with us , but not so strong or persistent, the search for these birds and maybe one or two other over-wintering species began. First a drive out to the Denge Marsh to look at a large flock of grazing swans, revealed they were all mute, with a covey of red-legged partridge in the foreground. Nothing more of note was seen along this road. The Scotney lakes were also unproductive, again the waters being very choppy and the ducks that could be seen were all sheltering as best they could up against the leeward shore which as it happens was the bank close to the road making it difficult to get a good look at the birds. A number of waders including dunlins, oystercatchers and curlews were feeding on the grassy banks amongst the large flocks of lapwings. Driving on and still heading in a westerly direction with the sea wall on our left and Romney Marsh on the right, another large flock of swans was spotted feeding out in fields that now have a recently-constructed wind farm. It was noted few of these turbines seemed to be operating very well, considering the amount of wind blowing. Parking was in a very convenient lay-by with a grass track leading from the Camber road out towards the distant birds. The rain had stopped, so a brisk walk was needed to reach a better viewing place, not too close to cause any disturbance and then scan with telescopes through the swans in hope of finding a Bewick's or even a whooper. No luck, they were all mute apart from two farmyard geese. Back to the car and driving on along the coast road towards Camber, we saw no signpost for a place called Midley. Heading inland and crossing the mashes with very damp fields on either side and only few containing grazing sheep, I was thinking we were not going to find this place that I had never heard of and was not marked on our map.
Coming up to a sharp left-hand bend, Midley was written on a signpost pointing to the right, so that's where we headed, down a narrow country lane as the rain began to blur our vision once again. After driving for about two miles or so and never seeing the name Midley again, two more flocks of mute swans were found, then eventually the flock of grazing Bewick's we had been searching for was seen. Parking up in the entrance to a concrete yard that fronted an old grain store and using the car to try and get a little shelter from the wind and rain, we did our best to observe the flock of distant swans. I counted just over a hundred of these, smaller than mute - white swans,with a yellow and black bill, also known as Tundra swan. It would have been nice to have had a closer look at these winter visitors, but the horrible weather and the fact they were feeding across on the far side of a large field, restricted our view to a certain extent. Before packing our optics away, I turned around towards the grain store and there on the ground was a flock of about twenty chaffinches, also one yellowhammer. These colourful small birds were feeding on a little spilt grain, or was it put there deliberately to help feed the struggling bird population? - I would like to think so. With the evening closing in early due to the dull grey weather, it was time to call it a day which, had turned out much better than I thought it would. Well maybe not the weather, although that could have been worse, at least it did stop raining some of the time allowing us to observe a few good birds.
Our bird list for the day in the order they were first seen, was:
ARC:-
Wigeon, Magpie, Goldeneye, Pintail, Teal, Smew, Mallard, Coot, Black-headed gull, Shelduck, Great black-backed gull, Pochard, Mute Swan, Cormorant, Common Gull, Gadwall, Common Crow, Tufted Duck, Grey Heron, Canada Goose, Shoveler
Main reserve:-
Starling, Lapwing, Marsh Harrier, Lesser black-backed Gull, Slavonian Grebe, Ruddy Duck, Kingfisher, Blackbird, Red-crested Pochard, Great-crested Grebe, Greylag Goose, Little Grebe, Moorhen, Bittern, Wood Pigeon, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Red-legged Partridge
Scotney:-
Oystercatcher, Dunlin, Curlew, Golden Plover, Redshank
Midley:-
Pheasant, Bewick Swan, Chaffinch, Yellowhammer