RSPB Dungeness — Attraction in Folkestone and Hythe District

Lovely place to visit Our visit was on Sunday afternoon the 15th May Weather was a bit cloudy and breezy We were Greeted with a warm welcome and a friendly smile from the Lady on duty at the entrance as she checked our membership. Inside the main building there's a coffee/tea lounge that also has biscuits/cakes and ices for purchase they also some 2nd hand books for sale to help with funds Its a lovely viewing area to relax in before or after your visit. Lots of information about the reserve Viewing scopes in the main shop that are fixed on nesting birds are a great idea. We had a couple of hours to explore the reserve area and give us a taste of what can be seen and heard during a longer visit Plenty of benches scattered around to sit down and enjoy the sounds and watch the birds plus a few hides and viewing areas On our way out we stopped for a few minutes to watch the Marsh Harrier looking for his evening meal it was so close and a joy to watch We can't wait to return and spend a few more hours enjoying what it has to offer. On leaving the reserve we drove down to the Lighthouse area where we spent a few minutes with a hungry vixen we only had a few sweets with us and she decided that we were not a threat so much so that she fed from Joyce's hand Wonderful to experience and to watch. It all added to a...

RSPB Dungeness has a good Visitor Centre, helpful volunteers on the welcome desk and counter, plus the usual RSPB shop with a wide range of items for sale. Refreshments are available but they are relatively simple here.

The birdlife is superb and there is an excellent range of hides, all with plenty of information to hand.

If you are a beginner or novice birdwatcher, do not be concerned, there is lots of help available! Just ask at the Visitor Centre. Good birdwatchers are usually very helpful to others and if you show an interest, people are happy to point birds out for you.

The main trail is around 2km walk on mixed surfaces from gravel to grass and boardwalk. If it's a hot day, you need a hat, as there is little shade apart from the hides themselves.

The birdlist is superb. There are usually plenty of butterflies about plus some interesting plantlife.

All in all, a brilliant reserve!!! A lot of hard work goes in to maintaining and managing these special habitats. If you're not already an RSPB member,...

You don't have to be a serious twitcher to thoroughly enjoy this lovely spot! Though it does help to take along some binoculars. The Visitor Centre has very kind and helpful staff. It's got a snack stand and serve yourself hot drinks, with a very fine Columbian coffee. You can then sit as long as you want in front of floor to ceiling picture windows, with views over one of the lakes, watching the birds go by. Then step out onto the 2 mile trail. The main bird watching happens on the first two thirds, with lots of view points of water birds from the hides, across the lakes and ponds. But we also greatly enjoyed the final section, listening to bird song and spotting land birds and the odd rabbit. Don't miss the feeding station on the edge of the car park - no particularly unusual birds but lots of action! A lovely way to spend...