Common Buzzard - Broomfield 28/10/18

While we were out we saw the Common Buzzard sitting in the same field we had seen it sitting in before. The light was better than the last time we saw it so I tried for some photos. It seemed totally unfazed by the cars whizzing by and in between sitting and watching what was going on it would shoot forward and appeared to be eating either insects or worms. I think that it is a juvenile bird. We felt really lucky to get such lovely views and it made a nice finish to the day.

Common Buzzard

Common Buzzard

An Unpopular Grey Heron - Shuart to Reculver 25/10/18

I decided to try and walk from Shuart to Reculver today after my appointment this morning. It was going to be a little tight for time but it was nice to be able to give it a go. It was a beautifully sunny day but with a brisk cool north westerly wind. I started off with a Buzzard thermaling and also a Kestrel. There were lots of the usual little jobs around and a flock of Chaffinches were busily feeding away. 8 Fieldfare flew over but I was not quick enough to get any photos of them. I had a walk up to the bridleway but it was very quiet. A Great Spotted Woodpecker called and gave brief views and a pair of Jays were in the tree canopy.

As I headed along the main path I saw 8 Redwing in the trees with a few Blue Tits and Great Tits feeding away busily. The Redwing were a little distant but I tried for some photos as they are the first I’ve seen close enough to try for a photograph. 

Redwing

Further along a Migrant Hawker perched very nicely for me and allowed a close photo. They are always a pleasure to see.

Migrant Hawker

I carried on down and could hear the odd Skylark passing overhead. 14 Fieldfare flew over going west and a little while later I had 12 Siskin fly west which was very nice. Another 9 Fieldfare flew over going west once again, followed shortly after by another 12. Several Red Admiral butterflies were on the wing but did not want to be photographed at all but a Reed Bunting did perch nicely for me. They are lovely little birds.

Reed Bunting

I headed along the embankment for a little while but it was very quiet on the whole so I worked my way back towards the sea wall as at least I could sit down along there and keep an eye on anything that might go past. There was a very smart Speckled Wood butterfly sunning itself and a Common Darter doing the same thing.

Speckled Wood Butterfly

Common Darter

On my way back I saw a very smart Magpie that was feeding along the embankment. I love how the different colours reflect in the black plummage as the sun catches it. 

Magpie

A Common Blue Butterfly gave nice views as it sunned itself and a small Hoverfly also gave good views. I will really miss dragonflies, butterflies and insects. It was sad to see the butterfly looking so worn.

Common Blue Butterfly

Hoverfly

Once I reached the sea wall I headed towards Reculver. There was a group of waders roosting on the beach and it included 11 Curlew, 1 Whimbrel, 160 Oystercatchers, 25 Redshank, 2 Dunlin and 8 Ringed Plover. 

Curlew and Whimbrel

A little further along a Cetti’s Warbler called from beside the dyke but I didn’t manage to catch sight of it. 3 Stonechat gave some nice views and a couple of Redshank were on Plumpudding Island. I like the refections in the water.

Redshank

It was a quiet walk to Coldharbour. 16 Redshank flew up from there having been disturbed by a couple of cyclists who were yelling at each other. A family of Pheasant were at the back of one of the fields next to the green bank with a few Fieldfare. There were a couple of late flowers on a Horned Poppy and though they were closed I thought it was worth a shot. 

Horned Poppy

A highlight was seeing a Merlin coming in off the sea, with a Black-headed Gull in hot pursuit. The Merlin kept going while the gull got bored and headed back out to sea. I grabbed a shot of the Merlin but it didn’t come out. Lovely to see though. I saw a large bunting that had me puzzled for a moment until I realised it was a Corn Bunting. They are amazing birds and far from plain in reality. There were several singing a sub song and in total I saw 8. 

The clouds were spectacular by this time and I tried for a photo.

Sky Formation

Further along a Grey Heron flew in and landed on some newly exposed rocks. A Black-headed Gull took grave exception and repeatedly flew at and around it alarm calling like mad. The Grey Heron clearly was not very keen on this.

Grey Heron and Black-headed Gull

Grey Heron and Black-headed Gull

Grey Heron and Black-headed Gull

Grey Heron and Black-headed Gull

The tide was falling as I walked back and 3 Grey Herons were gathered on some exposed rocks while another was further down.

Grey Herons

There was a very nice sunset as I neared Reculver. We are very lucky as we get some really beautiful ones in this part of the world.

Sunset

As I walked round to the towers a Little Owl flew up and looked at me from a telegraph pole. It was a shame that the light was so poor by this time as it meant I could not get a decent photo but it makes a good memory shot. Hopefully, perhaps, it might do it again when the light is better. Seeing the Little Owl was a very nice finish to the day.

Little Owl

Birds seen this visit include: 2 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 2 Jay, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 6 Wren, Robin, Dunnock, Chaffinch, Blue Tit, Great Tit, 63 Fieldfare west, 11 Redwing, 3 Greenfinch, 2 Goldcrest, 2 Chiffchaff, Blackbird, Skylark, 12 Siskin west, Magpie, 5 Reed Bunting, 4 Pied Wagtail, 20 Meadow Pipit, House Sparrow, Starling, 12 Turnstone, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, 11 Curlew, 1 Whimbrel, 25 Redshank,  2 Dunlin, 162 Oystercatcher, 5 Stonechat, 8 Corn Bunting, 2 Mute Swan, 25 Goldfinches, Mallard, 1 Merlin, 7 Grey Heron, 5 Pheasant (2 adults and 3 youngsters), 1 Little Owl.

A Common Seal Encounter - Reculver 23/10/18

I paid a visit to Reculver after work. There was a bitingly cold strong south westerly wind. As there appeared to be nothing going on out at sea I decided to have a walk along the back of the oyster farm. Something that I have not done for a long time. There wasn’t any sign of the Kingfisher by the pumping station but a little further on a Redshank was much more obliging and gave some very nice views. They are always so wary that it was nice for a change not to hear an alarm call and see it disappear from view. 

Redshank

Redshank

I carried on round and found it to be very quiet. A group of 120 Linnets were flying up now and then and I saw a couple of Little Grebe in the dyke, which was nice. There was also a pair of Mute Swan. 

As I came to the green bank I could see a dragonfly hawking for insects. It was very reluctant to go down but finally came to rest, partially obscured in a bush. I managed a photo and, though poor, it makes a nice memory shot. It was a Migrant Hawker.

Migrant Hawker

I headed back towards the sea wall but apart from a few Reed Bunting and Goldfinches it was very quiet indeed. There was not any sign of the Short-eared Owl unfortunately. It always makes my day when I see one. 

The light was fading fast as I approached the sea wall and the sea still appeared to be very quiet. I got a real surprise when I saw a Common Seal on the beach. I have only seen them out to sea before. A dog walker was coming along the beach and the seal started to try and make its way back down to the sea, something that appeared to be a huge effort for it, as it tried to propell itself forward on the land, and it needed to rest frequently. The tide was a fair way out so it had quite a distance to cover. I asked the dog walker to stop and keep hold of their dog and allow it to reach the sea, which they did and I was pleased when it reached the sea safely. 

Common Seal

Common Seal

As I headed home, behind me I was treated to a lovely view of the rising moon while in front of me, the setting sun finished the visit off nicely.

Moon Rising

Sunset

As I came up to the towers I thought there was an owl sitting on one of the posts. I couldn’t believe my luck and gradually crept closer and even though it was almost dark I thought I would try for a photo. I couldn’t get the camera to focus as it really was too dark so I carried on creeping up the path, and couldn't believe it when it didn't fly, whereupon I discovered that my owl was actually a saddle cover that somebody had put on top of one of the posts. No wonder it had not flown off. Ah well, such is life. At least I headed home chuckling.

Herring Gull and a Starfish - Reculver 21/10/18

I had very little time available this afternoon so I dropped into Reculver briefly and had a short walk along the sea wall. It was a beautifully sunny afternoon.

A Little Egret gave some very nice views and looked stunning against the blue of the water as well as giving some nice reflections in the wet sand.

Little Egret

Little Egret

Little Egret

My other highlight was watching a juvenile Herring Gull that had caught a large starfish. I felt really sorry for the starfish but I also felt sorry for the youngster who was clearly very pleased with its catch but as soon as it flew up with it, it was hotly pursued by an adult. The two of them were almost inseparable, the youngster trying everything to shake the adult but it just couldn’t. I didn’t get to see what the outcome was as they both disappeared from view but I am not sure that the youngster was ever going to get its meal. Perhaps it dropped the starfish into the sea allowing it to escape. You never know. It is the first time I have seen a gull catch a starfish.

Herring Gull and Starfish

It really was only a very short visit but I was pleased I had come.

Short-eared in off the sea - Reculver 19/10/18

I headed along to Reculver late morning and had a slow walk along the sea wall, walking a little then sitting and watching the sea. There was a north westerly wind with cloud, then as the day progressed, increasing amounts of sunshine. From the car park I had a single Shelduck going west. There was also a distant group of Brent Geese going west.

I headed along the sea wall and on the whole the sea was very quiet. There was an immature Cormorant on one of the poles and it appears to be moulting, presumably into adult plummage. 

immature Cormorant

I enjoyed watching the Stonechats again and one was a little nearer so I tried for a photo. They are such gorgeous little birds. 

Stonechat

A flock of 5 Little Egrets went west.

Little Egrets

While I was sat looking out to sea I saw a bird coming in on the sea from the north. I thought, at first, it was a raptor as it glided on V shaped wings in between flapping. As it got closer though it was clear that it was an owl. It continued to come in and flew past me, over the sea wall, and after a brief fly round it landed in the oyster farm. It was a smart Short-eared Owl and definitely made my day. They may not be the best of photos but I felt lucky to get them. 

Short-eared Owl

Short-eared Owl

Groups of Brent Geese were moving west, the largest group was 103 and the smallest 2. 15 also moved east. 

Brent Geese

I also saw 15 Starling come in off the sea and also another 110 in total move west. Two groups of Common Scoter moved west totalling 26 in all.

A Rock Pipit was feeding along the line of seaweed and debris left as the tide retreated. It was nice to be able to take some photos. They are handsome birds in their own right. 

Rock Pipit

Rock Pipit

It was nice to catch up with the Kingfisher again. I love watching it. 3 Eider flew east and I was lucky enough to get some photos. 

Eider

I finished the day with another Stonechat giving me some very good views. I had found it difficult to walk today so I did not manage to go very far but it had been good to just sit and watch the sea and I had enjoyed my visit.

Birds seen this visit include: 307 Brent Geese west, 1 Shelduck west, 26 Common Scoter west, 3 Eider east, 1 Sandwich Tern, 36 Chaffinch west, 1 Brambling west, 34 Skylark west, 36 Meadow Pipit west and also 28 present, 1 Short-eared Owl in off the sea from the north and landed in the oyster farm, 5 Little Egret in a group west and 5 present, 8 Grey Heron, 1 Red-throated Diver on the sea, 1 Rock Pipit, 6 Pied Wagtail, 15 Starling in off the sea and 110 west, 2 Dunlin west, 15 Turnstone, 14 Oystercatcher, 25 Redshank, 3 Ringed Plover, 1 Curlew, 1 Kingfisher, 170 Linnet, 7 Stonechat, 2 Corn Bunting, 1 Common Buzzard, 2 Kestrel.

A Redwing That Was Nearly Dinner - Reculver 16/10/18

I went for a walk along the sea wall this afternoon after work. It was a sunny afternoon but with a breezy south south westerly wind. It turned out to be a short walk as things were a bit too painful to go far and I only went as far as the beginning of the oyster farm and back. Starlings were feeding amongst the ruins of the tower and looked very smart in the sunshine and a couple of Pied Wagtail called as they flew past.

Starling

As I headed down to the wall I could see 5 Grey Heron in a field behind the oyster farm and another one landed in the Little Egret tree displacing 3 Little Egrets as it came into land and then sitting and looking around. 

Grey Heron in tree

After I reached the wall there was a loud commotion and 8 Redshank alarm called as they flew from the oyster farm with 5 Little Egrets and 2 Grey Heron were also flying up in various directions. A group of 180 Linnet wheeled tightly together. I couldn’t at first see what had caused the alarm but then caught sight of a Peregrine shooting through. I wasn’t quick enough for a photo but well pleased to have seen it. A Rock Pipit flew from the rocks while on the other side of the wall Stonechats and Meadow Pipits looked striking in the light.

I sat and watched the sea for a while. It appeared to be pretty quiet. I had a total of 11 Sandwich Terns west and 5 Gannet east. On the sea I could see 3 Great Crested Grebe and 1 Red-throated Diver in winter plummage. I am going to need lots more practice with sea watching. There were several distant terns but they were too far for me to say with any certainty what they were.

 

Red-throated Diver

Sandwich Tern

I headed back and as I reached the rocks opposite the old caravan park I could see something dark in the water, about 100-150 yards out, which appeared to be a small bird. At first I wondered if it might be a petrel. A Black-headed Gull, who was also sitting on the sea, was moving nearer it. I could see that the small bird was actually a Redwing that presumably had just not been able to make it far enough to shore. The two birds got closer and then seemed to sit together with very little distance between them for a couple of minutes before the gull suddenly tried to grab the Redwing. Somehow the Redwing managed to lift off the water, evade the gull and made it to the rocks. It was only when I looked at the photos afterwards that I realised that the gull had been left with the whole of the Rewing’s tail in its bill. It dropped this when it chased after the Redwing. I was so pleased that the Redwing managed to make it to the rocks but I wonder if it will be able to survive losing so much of its tail and the damage losing it may have done, as well as the exhaustion from the journey. I did not realise until today that a downed passerine could manage to take off from the sea. A long time ago I saw a couple of Fieldfare’s come down in the sea but neither managed to fly again. I walked down the steps and scanned along the rocks but I could not see the Redwing. I really hope it can make it.

Redwing and Black-headed Gull

Redwing and Black-headed Gull

Redwing and Black-headed Gull

Redwing and Black-headed Gull

I also saw 28 Starling come in off the sea in small groups and 15 Chaffinch were going west.

Birds I saw included: 1 Rock Pipit, 2 Pied Wagtail, 4 Stonechat, 15 Meadow Pipit, 3 Great-crested Grebe, 1 Red-throated Diver, 5 Gannet east, 11 Sandwich Tern west, 7 Grey Heron, 5 Little Egret, 1 Peregrine, 1 Redwing, Starlings, Woodpigeons, Carrion Crows, Black-headed Gulls, Herring Gulls.