RSPB Dungeness
4th January 2009, SundayA fine and frosty day started in magnificent style with 100+ white-fronted geese, 61 Bewick’s swans and a single whooper swan gathered on the ARC pit. All these flew off in the direction of Lydd between 8 and 8.30 am and can presumably be found feeding in the fields nearby. A bittern was seen flying into the reeds in front of the hide and amazingly another three were seen flying at the far end of the pit. Pairs of smew and goldeneye were also seen along with a single goosander. Elsewhere on the reserve both black-necked and Slavonian grebe were seen from Christmas Dell hide.
Update 14.45: There were more bittern sightings as the day progressed with one seen between Makepeace and Scott hides, two at Christmas Dell and three at Hooker’s pits giving a possible total of ten birds on site. Two male and three female smew were at Christmas Dell and at least 11 goosanders on the ARC pit. The male red-crested pochard was on New Excavations once again.