Hundreds of shovelers

Back to Dungeness, yesterday, in a sunny, warm and blessedly still period between the incessant Atlantic storms that will define this winter.

Great white and little egrets stalked the water’s edge and bitterns were being seen all over the reserve – most easily as they flew on cupped wings from one reedy corner to another. Smews are a regular feature in winter at Dungeness – joined now by a small flock of goosanders, a new bird for Jack.

Great white egret – part of the Dungeness scene at the moment

I was with my father when I saw my first goosander, and I was able to name it. ‘That’s a goosander!’ – ‘goose and a what?’ he replied.

As dusk was gathering, the glossy ibis flew the length of Burrows Pit – skimming low over dozens of shovelers, so numerous at Dungeness that its easy to overlook them, yet in conservation terms the shovelers are here in such numbers that they make the reserve internationally important  for them as the winter count regularly tops the threshold of 1% of their population.

Shovelers – Dungeness’ special duck (below)