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View showing expanse of semi-vegitated shingle, Dungeness RSPB reserve, KentLapwing - adult female in breeding habitat pastureMarsh frog
Clouded yellow butterfly on viper's buglossHobby in flight, with a caught insectMigrant hawker dragonfly in flight
Mute swans in flight against the rising sun, RSPB Dungeness reserveGoldfinch feeding on teaselBacklit reeds
Bittern peering into water from reedsDrake smewClose up of gravel, pebbles, RSPB Dungeness

Wildlife awards

Dungeness is one of the best places for wildlife in the UK.

Top things to do in Spring

  1. Look out for the first spring migrants returning from the south
  2. Listen for marsh frogs calling from the lakes and ditches
  3. Watch lapwings displaying over the fields

Top things to do in Summer

  1. Enjoy the amazing wealth of colourful wildflowers around the nature trail
  2. Watch hobbies hunting insects over Hooker's pits
  3. Look for dragonflies darting over the lakes and ponds

Top things to do in Autumn

  1. Spend some time in the hides looking for migrant waders such as green and common sandpipers, little stints and greenshanks
  2. Look and listen for flocks of goldfinches and linnets feeding around the nature trail
  3. Sit for a while and watch the setting sun turn the reedbeds to gold

Top things to do in Winter

  1. See hundreds of ducks and geese including wigeons, shovelers, goldeneyes and smews gather on the pits
  2. Check the reedbeds carefully for bitterns
  3. Birdwatch in comfort from our cosy Visitor Centre

Visitor comments

My family and I had a great day at Dungeness. We saw the glossy ibises, two marsh harriers, a godwit and many more of our usual birds. What more could you ask for? Good weather, great birdwatching and such wonderful, helpful people in the visitor centre. Can't wait to go back!

Melanie Hurcombe

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Your photos

  • Fox cubs
  • Tufted Duck
  • Marsh Harrier
  • Long Tailed Duck
  • Lapland Bunting ?
  • Any guesses - was too far away for me to identify 1
  • fox
  • 13/1/12

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Downloads

Map of Dungeness

Map of Dungeness

1.08Mb, PDF

Date: 6 July 2011

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WildSquare Bingo

WildSquare Bingo

2.8Mb, PDF

Date: 21 June 2010

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Living classrooms

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Extend your stay

Other places to visit

Male lesser spotted woodpecker on branch

Fore Wood

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Wader flock (including oystercatchers and dunlin) at the RSPB Snettisham nature reserve

Snettisham

Walk alongside bird-filled lagoons, shingle beaches and the vast wilderness of The Wash

Greenshank looking for food in shallow water

Hayle Estuary

A great place to get easy, close-up views of many waterbirds

Purple heron flying over reedbeds at Dungeness nature reserve

Purple herons at Dungeness

Let us introduce you to the purple herons causing a stir at Dungeness.

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