Dungeness 17/12/25

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A short visit to Dungeness after collecting a painting at Benenden. The weather was generally ok, cloudy but dry.

The first stop was at the visitor centre where a large collection of gulls could be seen on the islands of Burrows Pit. The most numerous species by far was Great Black-backed Gull, with small numbers of Lesser Black-backed and several adult Yellow-legged Gull also present. A probable first-winter Caspian Gull was also found though the bird didn't hang around.

On the ARC pit there were numerous ducks including a good quantity of Shoveler. Many Lapwing were present though few other waders. Four Great White Egret on the ARC made a total of five for the day, though strangely no Little Egret were seen.

The final visit was to Walland Marsh where a dozen swans near Swamp Farm comprised two Whooper and 10 Bewick's. A flooded field along Midley Wall had attracted many Black-headed Gulls and amongst them a single Green Sandpiper. A Sparrowhawk flew through and strangely did not flush the sandpiper.

To end the day we stopped at the Woolpack Inn for coffee, sitting near the cosy wood fire.

Great White Egret 


Adult Yellow-legged Gull on the left with Great Black-backed and Herring Gulls

Adult Yellow-legged Gull with Herring Gull and first winter Great Black-backed.

Whooper Swan on the left with Bewick's 

Whooper Swan


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