Here is the latest news and upcoming events from the Dungeness RSPB reserve:
Reserve News Updates
Hopefully some crisp winter days are yet to come as at the moment we are still a bit soggy and wet down here just like the rest of the country. However, lots of wading birds have been making use of our overflowing pools and we’ve seen thousands of lapwing and golden plover as well as knot, black-tailed godwit, ruff and curlew. Ducks of course like the wet weather and if you fancy viewing some wildlife without being in the weather yourself, then it is really worth popping into our cosy visitor centre where the big picture window looks out onto our lakes where currently lots of ducks are gathered. Cormorant numbers are also very large at this time of year but they are fighting for space over our rapidly disappearing islands. We are due at least another month of high water, after which it should start decreasing and exposing our islands for the breeding seabirds in the spring.
Much work is being undertaken at ARC this time of year, reducing the amount of willow and vegetation from around our pits and allowing light to penetrate the water. This then means that plants can grow under the water and provides food for our dabbling birds as well as much needed habitats for our great crested newts.
We are looking for volunteers!
We have some volunteer positions available on the reserve and we need your help. Got a little bit of spare time to help save nature? See if you are the right person for any of these roles below:
- Reserve Team Volunteers: We need people who are willing to help our reserve team of staff and volunteers with important conservation tasks around the reserve. Get up close to nature and see a different side of our spectacular reserve by undertaking a variety of habitat management and site maintenance tasks. Opportunities available every Tuesday or Thursday, 9am-4pm. Please contact the reserve on 01797 320588 and ask for Craig or email craig.edwards@rspb.org.uk
- Visitor Centre Volunteers: If you don’t fancy all that manual work, the visitor centre is also looking for friendly and chatty volunteers to help manage our counter and reception area. Volunteer for a full day or half a day based on a rota that is flexible around you. If you love talking to people, particularly about wildlife and are happy to serve people in our shop then please call the reserve on 01797 320588 and ask for Gareth or email gareth.brookfield@rspb.org.uk
- Children Events Volunteers: Want to help inspire the next generation about wildlife? We are looking for children and family event helpers for a series of events we run throughout the year on the nature reserve. We hope to inspire young families to get outdoors and develop a lifelong love of nature. We need volunteers to help us run these activities which range from Nature Tots leaders (mid-week sessions for children under 5 and their parents/carers) to Wild Family events (longer sessions for children age 5-12) and occasionally assisting with any bookings from uniformed youth groups such as Scouts and Guides. These sessions will be from 2-4 hours long and can be run on any day of the week (subject to staff and volunteer availability), peaking during the school holidays and spring/summer season. If you have experience working with children and have a passion for wildlife then please call Louise on 01797320588 or email louise.kelly@rspb.org.uk
All training for these roles will be provided and you will be fully inducted into your voluntary role with the RSPB. We run annual events for our volunteers which you will be invited to, in thanks for your hard work.
Events
Winter Wildlife Walk
Wednesday 12 February
10.30am – 12.30pm
Come and join us on a guided walk to see which birds and wildlife visit and live at Dungeness in the winter time. Wrap up warm and brave the cold to look for an array of wildlife from stoats to smew and blue tits to buzzards. Led by a friendly guide with expert knowledge on our wildlife.
Adult £7. Child £3.50.
20% discount for RSPB members & Wildlife Explorers.
Birdwatching for Beginners
Sunday 16 February
11am – 1pm
Have a New Year’s resolution to start a new hobby? Then come on a winter walk around our reserve with a friendly guide who will help you with the basics of bird identification. Enjoy a day out exploring, watching and learning about our feathered friends.
Adult £7. Child £3.50.
20% discount for RSPB members & Wildlife Explorers.
Wildlife Walk
Wednesday 18 March
10.30am – 12.30pm
This walk is for everyone with a keen interest in wildlife! March can deliver us all sorts of animals. If the weather has been mild enough, we might see an early butterfly or bumblebee. March time also brings in early migrants to the country and is the last chance to spot our wintering birds such as the pintail or firecrest before they head north again. Join a knowledgeable guide on a walk around the reserve and see what delights you can spot at this time of year.
Adult £7. Child £3.50.
20% discount for RSPB members & Wildlife Explorers.
Bird Watching for Beginners
Saturday 28 March
11am – 1pm
Love birds but want to know more about them? Then come on a spring-time walk around our reserve with a friendly guide with expert knowledge on all things feathery! And don’t worry if you don’t own a pair of binoculars, they are available to hire from the visitor centre for a small fee.
Adult £7. Child £3.50.
20% discount for RSPB members & Wildlife Explorers.
Nature Tots
Thursday 5 & Thursday 19 March
10.15am – 12pm
Come and join us for outdoor fun and early learning at Dungeness. Fortnightly guided sessions for 2-5 year olds and their parents/carers. Each season has a different theme encouraging exploration, creation and imagination!Snack, drink and story included with the session.
£5 per child per session, pre-walkers free with paying tot. 20% discount for RSPB members.
Check out our website www.rspb.org.uk/dungeness for more details about all our events.