Wednesday 14th January 2025: Pett Level and Dungeness

Tim and I were leading a two day SDOS (Shoreham District Ornithological,Society) minibus tour, to Rye and Dungeness. We arrived at our first stop at Rock-a-nore cliff in Hastings around 8.30AM, where we were quickly onto our target bird the Fulmar, noting the distinctive slim, stiff-winged flight, and enjoying close binocular views of a pair canoodling on the cliff. Meanwhile, on the sea behind us, an extensive line of geese, presumably Brents, streamed low across the water, then around twenty Red-throated Divers, followed several minutes later by a large cluster of Cormorants that landed offshore.

Fulmar (photo by Mark Davis)

Our next stop was at Pett Level, where we had such a fantastic collection of species that we stayed rather longer than planned. There were plenty of Curlews and Lapwings feeding on the marshy grass, and a few Snipe were disturbed around the wet ditches. We took a walk along the road and found a lovely group of Bearded Tits feeding in the reeds, giving fantastic scope views, their colours showing beautifully in glorious sunshine.

Bearded Tit (photo by Maria McGrath)

At the margins of the roadside pool, there were good numbers of Coots, and a mixed wader group of Redshank, Dunlin and Oystercatcher. On the water we found a few Pochard and Tufted Ducks, Shoveler and a pair of Gadwall.

Climbing the sea wall, we were able to see plenty of geese gathered in the back fields. Helpfully, they took off and flew towards us, and we were able to pick out a few White-fronted Geese amongst the Greylags and Canadas. Once they were settled, we managed to get the scope onto some of the White-fronts, enabling everyone to observe the white around the bill, and the dark banding across the belly. 

White-fronted Geese

Turning our attention to the sea, there were good numbers of Great-crested Grebe and Red-throated Divers drifting on the becalmed waters. We caught up with Bernie and Steve, who had arrived by car, and they got us on to a flock of Scoter towards the right of the bay, Bernie drawing attention to some useful identification features - noting a tight flock, and the birds all facing in the same direction. 

Back on the marsh, a large flock of Wigeon waddled and whistled busily, in front of a group of Cormorants. In amongst them around half a dozen Ruff were very active, showing well in the scopes, with strongly patterned backs and orange legs. A Marsh Harrier and Sparrowhawk were both seen hawking across the marsh.

Wigeon flock and Cormorants

We realised time was disappearing rather fast, so headed on to Dungeness to meet Steph and Keith, who had travelled by car. We ate lunch in the visitor centre, looking rather sparse with the disappearance of the on-site shop, but plenty of space and seats to look across Burrowes Pit while we ate. A Kingfisher put in a brief appearance, our first of several encountered across the two days. The warden got me onto a Water Rail, but it too disappeared before anyone else could see it. A close Great Egret was rather more obliging, looking resplendent at close range, with its long, golden bill. We added Shelduck and Teal to our list of ducks, and Great Black-backed Gulls were plentiful on the islands. After lunch a short visit to Dennis’ Hide by the car park gave us a pair of distant Goldeneye.

Great Egret

Next, we moved further down Burrowes, where a Great Northern Diver was scoped. The light was poor for identifying plumage features, but the distinctive shape, with thick neck and steep forehead were obvious. The decision was made not to continue around the reserve, as we had already found so many of the species we might expect to see. Bernie and Steve had diverted to the power station and reported a Black Redstart, which Maria was very keen to see, together with some auks, so we drove round, but unfortunately were out of luck. Three seals on the sea provided some compensation though.

From here we set off onto Walland Marsh in search of a flock of Bewick’s Swans. Scanning the fields and hedgerows as we passed, a field of Common Gulls, was a new life tick for at least one member of the group. A few Black-headed Gulls loafing nearby were useful for comparison of size and plumage features, and a single Stock Dove also added to our trip list.

Continuing on our way, we encountered a mixed flock of farmland birds. Climbing cautiously from the bus, we were able to identify several Yellowhammer, A single Corn Bunting, a few Goldfinches, Reed Bunting, and best of all, a small number of Tree Sparrows. We soon found the Bewick’s Swans, gathered at some distance from the road, but through the scopes their yellow and black bills were seen well be everyone in the group.

Bewick’s Swans

By now the light was dropping, so we returned to Dungeness, this time heading for the ARC/Hanson hide. Some of us walked to the screen first, where we again had superb views of Great Egret, Shelduck and a Kingfisher, which alighted on a swaying reed. With small flocks of Starlings beginning to gather, we returned to the main hide, which gave an excellent vantage point to watch an incredible murmuration, with vast numbers, maybe 10,000 or more, creating a swirling mass that filled the skies. This vast flock took on a life of its own as it constantly shifted its shape, sometimes thinning out into a fraying ribbon, then grouping back in a dense black clot, lunging outwards and upwards like a huge, powerful wave, then shifting again into a gentle, swaying dance. It was mesmerising. The swirling shape gradually dropped lower and lower, before finally disappearing as the birds dropped in to roost. The sharp-eyed in the group noted a Marsh Harrier fly into the middle of the flock, and an opportunistic Sparrowhawk at its edges.

Starlings at Dungeness

Another highlight was a pair of Whooper Swans that dropped into roost, not far from the hide. These had more extensive yellow on their bills,and were much bigger than the Bewick’s seen earlier. It was a perfect ending to a brilliant day, with over 75 species seen.