Dungeness RSPB Reserve

INTRODUCTION

Dungeness is the RSPB's oldest reserve and is set among a unique shingle habitat. The shingle vegetation is very fragile, so please keep to the footpaths. There are five hides plus a visitor centre situated along a nature trail.

The view from Scott Hide to Makepeace Hide

THE RESERVE

The Visitor Centre and Hide 1 overlook Burrowes Pit with its patchwork of islands that provide roosting sites for gulls and cormorants. As winter approaches the resident populations of waterbirds are swelled by large numbers of birds that have moved south for the season. Species that are likely to be seen from here include mallard, gadwall, teal, shoveler, tufted duck and pochard. When the wind is blowing strongly (which it usually does at Dungeness) ducks are generally to be found sheltering in the lee of the islands, especially the large 'bushy' island. This island is a favoured night-time roosting site for thousands of starlings from late summer onwards and sparrowhawks may often be seen hunting among the gathering flocks as the light fades.

From the Visitor Centre turn left and access the nature trail through the small gate. A little way along on your right you will see a small pond. Near the bench over-looking it are a number of whale bones and a tree trunk all of which were dug out of the shingle when the pits were being excavated. They have been dated to about 800 to 1000 years old. Their presence gives a clue to how the landscape has changed and also reminds us that the Dungeness peninsula is a relatively young landscape. The bones originate from a northern right whale, so called because they were the 'right' whale to catch.

Progressing along the track you will reach Firth Hide. In autumn (depending on water levels) the area immediately in front of the hide may hold a good variety of wading birds including redshank, greenshank, ruff, common and green sandpipers and occasionally spotted redshanks, wood sandpipers or little stints. A careful look through the small tangles of vegetation may reveal a roosting snipe. Coots, moorhens and little grebes are usually seen in the pools and channels here, along with dabbling ducks such as teal. A kingfisher may often be seen flying along the channel and coming to rest on one of the bushes or perches. Listen for its distinctive whistling call that often announces its arrival.

Moving along the trail it is worth checking the bushy area on your right for passerines (perching birds) such as willow warblers and chiffchaffs in early autumn and goldcrests or firecrests later in the season.

Makepeace Hide provides three different views of Burrowes Pit. From the left-hand side you should get good views of our resident cormorants. In 2003 they nested on the island to the left of the Visitor Centre and a site on the ARC pit on the far side of the Dungeness road. The breeding colony is one of only two in Kent and is unusual in that the birds nest on the ground rather than in trees. Do not be confused by the birds with pale bellies and breasts, they are merely immature birds. It takes three years for them to reach their full black adult

plumage.

To the right of the hide there is a small strip of reed and some shallow water. This area is often favoured by grey herons and little egrets and is also a good place to look for bitterns.

During late autumn and winter it is possible to find all five species of British grebe (namely little, great crested, black-necked, red-necked and Slavonian) on the reserve and they often frequent Burrowes Pit. Little and great crested breed in good numbers whilst the other three species are merely visitors. Occasionally, especially after stormy weather conditions, divers may be found on the pits. Red-throated is most commonly seen but black-throated and great northern also occur.

Continuing along the trail you will soon reach the New Excavations, a series of nine pits excavated between 1984 and 1993. These pits are of variable depths, most with shallow bank profiles. Silt was pumped into the pits to provide a fertile substrate and the margins of the shallower lakes were planted with reeds that are now well established. The large pit that is passed on the way to Scott Hide is one of the deeper pools and typically holds diving ducks, particularly tufted ducks, along with coots and great crested grebes.

Scott Hide gives a view back up Burrowes Pit where in winter wigeon, tufted ducks, pochard and coot are the species most likely to be seen. Check the waters' edge and vegetation for the secretive water rail, which occasionally puts in an appearance here.

From Scott Hide the trail heads towards Christmas Dell Hide (no-one knows why it is so named but rumour has it that there were once some holly bushes here!) and the landscape begins to change. Willow and elder scrub edge the path and these bushes are well worth checking for a variety of passerines. Great and blue tits, dunnocks, wrens and goldcrests can often be found along with the occasional firecrest. A variety of the more common warblers may be present in early autumn along with the occasional flycatcher or redstart, whilst in October and early November vagrants such as yellow-browed and Pallas' warblers have also been

seen.

The vegetation to the right of the track is of great interest. The predominant plant is wood sage, but, forming a low-growing carpet over the shingle, is a mixture of moss and lichen. Lichens thrive at Dungeness due to the clarity of the air and water. Christmas Dell Hide is to the right of the track and gives a view across the New Excavations. This is a good spot to get close views of little grebes and is usually the best place on the reserve to see one of Dungeness' most popular winter visitors, the smew. Little egrets often favour these lakes whilst pochards, tufted ducks, coots and great crested grebes are usually plentiful. In recent years this has also been the best place on the reserve to see bitterns - check the reeds carefully!

Continuing along the track keep an eye out for stonechats, which can often be seen perched on top of the bramble bushes. You will soon come to a gate that leads on to the bridle track. The nature trail continues to the right but it is worth making a small detour to the left to view the recently excavated pools on Dengemarsh.   Thirteen lagoons of varying depths have been created and the edges of these planted with reeds taken from various sites around the edge of Hooker's Pits. The reeds will be fenced-off from browsing geese and coots until growth is well established. Once the vegetation has become established the area of reedbed on the reserve will total about 24 hectares and should provide marvellous habitat for bearded tits, marsh harriers, bitterns and other reedbed specialists. In the meantime the pools are attracting a good variety of wildfowl and waders.

Returning along the bridle track you will soon see Hooker's Pits on your left. These are the reserve's oldest man-made pits and they are well vegetated with stands of reed and reed mace. This area is one of the best places on the reserve to see bearded tits which are usually first detected by their 'pinging' call. Between 1991 and 2000 the area also played host to a rare autumn and winter visitor, the penduline tit. These tiny birds are notoriously difficult to see but their presence may be advertised by the scattering of reed mace seeds as they feed amongst the dense vegetation.

From the top of the ramp there is an excellent view across Dengemarsh where flocks of resident Canada and Greylag geese may be joined by White-fronted geese in winter. Bewick's and Whooper swans also sometimes occur here along with resident Mute swans and the fields also often hold large flocks of lapwings and golden plovers. Marsh and Hen Harriers may sometimes be seen quartering the fields searching for prey whilst Short-eared Owls visit occasionally.

The trail continues along the bridle track and then, via a gate to the right, back to the carpark. At this point a short detour is recommended. Instead of passing through the gate continue along the bridle track and turn left along the public footpath. In the hedgerow and field to your right and on the overhead wires look for linnets, goldfinches and other seed-eaters. Tree sparrows may also be found here from time to time, although they are not nearly as numerous as they once were.

Retrace your steps to the gate marked 'Return to Visitor Centre'. The fields to the left as you pass through the gate can produce some interesting birds in autumn. Look for whimbrels, a close relation of the curlew, differentiated by their smaller size and stripe down the middle of their head and check the area for migrating wheatears and whinchats which may often be seen perched on the fences. The rough grass and scrub area beyond the fields might yield  a covey of grey or red-legged partridges and in early autumn the ground around the boardwalk may be crowded with yellow wagtails busily feeding before their southward journeys to warmer climes.

VISITING

How to find us

The reserve is one mile south of Lydd and is signposted off the Lydd-Dungeness road. 

Bus service 12 from Lydd or Folkestone stops on request at the reserve entrance from

where there is a one-mile walk to the Visitor Centre.

The reserve is open from 9 am to 9 pm (or sunset if earlier). The visitor centre and shop are open from 10 am to 5 pm (4 pm November to February). The reserve and centre are closed on December 25 and 26.

Reserve entry fees: RSPB and Wildlife Explorer members free. Non-members: adults £3.00, concessions £2.00, under 16's £1.00, families (up to two adults and four children) £6.00.

For more information contact: Dungeness RSPB Nature Reserve, Boulderwall Farm, Dungeness Road, Lydd, Kent, TN29 9PN.

Phone: 01797 320588. Email: dungeness@rspb.org.uk

RSPB South-East England Regional Office, 2nd Floor,

Frederick House, 42 Frederick Place, Brighton BN1 4EA

Visit our website - www.rspb.org.uk

Organising a children's party?

Why not do something completely different? We can offer pond-dipping, mini-beast safaris, birdwatching sessions or a combination of these. 

Interested? Then call us on 01797 320588 for further details.

Map of Dungeness RSPB Reserve

The area around Dungeness showing other areas of interest