RXwildlife Sightings

One part of the Dungeness shingle beach that has shown considerable natural change over the years is the south coast.  This map shows Wickmaryholm Pit, on the south coast of Lydd Ranges in 1878.  The is a natural shingle wetland and originally consisted of two areas of open water, divided by a tongue of shingle.  This pit was once much further inland and fresher, as witnessed by the remains of the freshwater aquatic plants such as spiked water milfoil Myriophyllum spicatum in its peaty sediments. To the east was the smaller Abnor Pit and to the west  was Tarts Cottage.

These were a fantastic series of Ordnance Survey maps covering the whole of the UK in amazing detail. It never fails to amaze me how they managed to be so accurate without the use of aerial photographs.

After this map was made Read the rest of this entry »

Highlights over the past few days have included, 4 Smew (1 drake), 3 Long-eared Owl, 32 Little Egret, Bittern, Kingfisher and 2 Marsh Harrier at Castle Water. On the Beach Reserve Dartford Warbler and Merlin were at Ternery Pool and Barn Owl and Marsh Harrier on Harbour Farm. Elsewhere the Black-necked Grebe, 3 Goldeneye and 4 Scaup were still present on Long Pit and 2 Long-eared Owl were at Narrow Pit.