RXwildlife Sightings

Barnacle goose – a flock of on 23 Burrowes pit on 21st. Smew – up to 15, including one male, across the site all week. Goosander – four males and two females on Burrowes pit on 20th. Slavonian grebe - one on New Excavations and one on Hooker’s pits. Black-necked grebe – up to three on Denge Marsh all week. Bittern – at least one seen daily. Woodcock – one by the nature trail near Makepeace hide on 21st. Yellow-legged gull – one on 22nd. Chiffchaff – up to three seen around the nature trail daily. Raven – one flying over New Excavations on 20th.

RSPB Dungeness nature reserve
Sunday 28 February, 2 pm - 3 pm. Admission free, booking advisable. 01797 320588.
Artist and illustrator Peter Partington will be giving an entertaining talk on his work and techniques.

RSPB Dungeness nature reserve
Sunday 28th February to Saturday 27th March (10 am - 4 pm on 28th, 5 pm thereafter).
We are delighted to be hosting an exhibition of work by reknowned wildlife artists Peter Partington and Bob Greenhalf. On the opening day Peter will be signing copies of the RSPB’s beautifully illustrated ‘Secret Lives’ books and will give a talk on his work and techniques (see below).

A visit to Dungeness to survey for amphibians at the weekend revealed surprising patches of snow still lying on the shingle.  I don’t remember such a cold winter as this down on the Marsh, and this is reflected in amphibian breeding behaviour.  I found great crested newt eggs in late December 2008, and have still to find any this year.

A few weeks back I speculated that Read the rest of this entry »