Firecrest, Redstart and Continental Tit
5th.April 2016
I’d been told that if you’re looking for birds at Dungeness, always go to the Old Lighthouse Garden close to beach. Today I did just that and caught a Redstart, Continental Tit and some Firecrests, all firsts for me.
Firecrest
Unless it’;s a hot summer’s day during the School Holidays, parking is quite easy. You can either use the area by the RH&D Railway Station, a space for about 15 cars next to the Power Station or there’s space for around 6 cars next to the Garden itself.
It’s a fairly enclosed are and there is only one relatively good viewpoint and that’s beach side where the hedge runs fairly low. More can be seen in Winter.
Firecrest left, Common Redstart right
I went along as I heard from someone there were some Firecrests there and they didn’t disappoint, about four or five of them were either foraging in the grass or on close by bushes picking up the odd seed or two.
I have to say they are rather dainty and being only just larger than the Goldcrest, pretty hard to get a focal point on the Camera.
Another Birder joined me for which I’m pleased for as without him I wouldn’t have spotted the Common Redstart in a bush closer to the Lighthouse. Just a few seconds and he was gone (the Bird that is, not the Birder!).
The beautiful Continental Tit
Just as I felt I had enough photos to get on with I noticed what at first appeared to be a Cold Tit, but zooming in found it to be a Continental Tit.
Very similar they are to the Coal Tir, but fluffier feathers and a different black pattern around the head.
After that it was a drive back over the Marshes via the scenic route, where I saw nothing!!
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