Ramsgate birds – Autumn & Winter wildlife
As the days get colder Autumn turns to Winter and a new set of challenges await our wildlife. Pegwell Bay begins to see the arrival of winter ducks like Wigeon, Shoveler & Teal. Brent Geese from northern Russia & flocks of waders join them. Black Tailed Godwit, Grey & Golden Plover, Sanderling & Dunlin feed along the tide line or rest at the edges of the Salt marsh pools. Snipe can sometimes be seen hiding in the vegetation behind them. Stonechats flit from the tops of the Cotton Grass in the salt marsh and flocks of Lapwing take to the sky with a wonderful display calling as they swirl high in the sky before coming back into land. If you’re lucky you might spot a Spoonbill, Avocet or a Pintail Duck that visit at this time of year. Already this autumn we have had a rare visit from a Black-necked Grebe and a male Hen Harrier.
Our raptors will be busy hunting for food. Peregrine, Sparrowhawk, Buzzard, Marsh Harrier & Kestrel. At Pegwell there is even a small chance of spotting a rare Hen Harrier or a Short-eared Owl hunting the marsh land either side of the rivers edge.
Closer to home we have Kestrel that hunt along the Ramsgate cliff edge using the lampposts as a perch. They are wonderful to watch from the top of the promenade occasionally diving into the cliff scrub looking for mice or voles.
Down at the harbour during Autumn and Winter look out for roosting Purple Sandpipers, Great Crested Grebe, Red throated Diver, Shag, Guillemot and Razorbill and this year we again appear to have two over wintering Kingfishers.
Winter thrushes, Redwing & Fieldfare also begin to arrive from Scandinavia looking for berries to feed on. So it’s a good reminder to put out some additional food & water for the garden birds to help them get through the winter.
Keith Ross @ramsgatebirds
Keith runs guided nature walks on any date or time to suit – A short Kingfisher harbour walk & a longer full-day walk from Ramsgate to Pegwell Bay. To book contact keithross1@hotmail.com.
