Print pageSeasonal highlights
Each season brings a different experience at our nature reserves. In spring, the air is filled with birdsong as they compete to establish territories and attract a mate. In summer, look out for young birds making their first venture into the outside world. Autumn brings large movements of migrating birds - some heading south to a warmer climate, others seeking refuge in the UK from the cold Arctic winter. In winter, look out for large flocks of birds gathering to feed, or flying at dusk to form large roosts to keep warm.
Spring
The first sand martins of the season should be seen in mid-March, closely followed by wheatears, black redstarts and yellow wagtails. Cuckoos should be present from mid-April whilst there will be a large increase in warblers.
Sedge and reed warblers and whitethroats all nest on the reserve whilst willow warblers, chiffchaffs, and blackcaps pass through on migration.
Wader passage should be noticeable with bar-tailed and black-tailed godwits, whimbrels, greenshanks, green and common sandpipers, little ringed plovers, avocets and ruffs all likely.
Look for lapwings displaying over the fields and listen for marsh frogs calling from the lakes and ditches.
Summer
In June, our resident cormorants will be busy feeding their chicks whilst cygnets, goslings and ducklings will be much in evidence.
Hobbies may be seen hunting insects over Hooker's pits - it is always a joy to watch these fantastic falcons performing their aerial acrobatics.
Throughout July the reserve will be ablaze with the colourful flowers of viper's bugloss and yellow-horned poppy. Butterflies and dragonflies will be on the wing. Species of the former most likely to be seen include red admiral, small tortoiseshell and common blue but there may also be influxes of migrant species such as clouded yellow and painted lady.
Autumn
Wildfowl numbers will increase as September progresses. Hundreds of sand martins, along with smaller numbers of swallows and house martins, can be seen feeding over Burrowes' pit throughout September.
Migrating passerines such as whinchats, redstarts, wheatears and ring ouzels, will all be present in varying numbers.
In October we expect to see our first goldeneyes of the season, whilst November brings the first smews and goosanders. Marsh harriers will be seen regularly and by November will be joined by their cousin the hen harriers.
Finch sightings will increase as the colder weather sets in, with linnets forming flocks, and sightings of greenfinches, goldfinches, siskins, and chaffinches all likely.
Winter
Waterbirds are the main attraction during the winter months. Large numbers of wigeons, gadwalls, teals, mallards, pintails, shovelers, pochards and tufted ducks will be present whilst smews, goldeneyes and pintails will also be seen.
Bewick's and whooper swans may roost on the Hanson ARC pit. Large flocks of greylag geese may be joined by white-fronted geese.
Merlins, peregrines, hen harriers and marsh harriers should be seen regularly. Barn, short-eared and long-eared owls may also be found during the winter months.
Amongst the passerines stonechats, goldcrests and greenfinches will be regular features and Cetti's warblers and bearded tits should be present, particularly around Hooker's pits.
What can I do?
In a move that would destroy the natural tranquillity of Dungeness and could see its remarkable wildlife slowly disappear, the owners of Lydd airport want to increase the number of passengers that fly from there from 4,000 a year to 500,000.
Help stop this plan from getting off the ground