I planned to do a slow walk from Shuart to Reculver today.
It was mainly a sunny day with some cloud and a light south westerly wind. It seemed very quiet on the whole when I arrived Shuart. I
could hear Great Tit and Blue Tit calling, Robin, Dunnock, Magpie, Wood Pigeon
and Wren. A Marsh Harrier (female/immature) flew over in the distance while a
couple of Skylark flew overhead. A Chiffchaff called as well. I saw a single
Silver-Y moth and also thought I had a Hornet in the distance but I did not
manage to catch up with it.
I had a wander along the path and there were still good
numbers of Common Darter on the wing and also Ruddy Darter. I also saw a couple
of Red Admiral butterflies. 5 Greenfinch were feeding on Blackberries. I could
hear a few Long-tailed Tits calling and a Green Woodpecker. A Cetti’s Warbler
called nearby but I did not manage to catch sight of it. I also heard a Redwing
call from the other side of the hedge, my first for the autumn. a group of 50 House
Martin were wheeling around high up before moving west.
I watched some Whirly Gig beetles whirling around in one of
the dykes. They are fascinating to watch and move so fast yet never seem to
collide. They are certainly well named. A Kestrel flew past as I approached the
railway line and gave good views.
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| Whirly Gig Beetles |
I had a walk up to the stables and then onto the sea wall. I
could see 4 Pied Wagtail in the far horse paddock and at least 2 appeared to be White Wagtails. Chaffinch appeared to be on the move and I had 60 west in small groups on
the walk up to the sea wall. The tide was out and large numbers of Black-headed
and Herring Gull were on the shore with 4 Sandwich Tern.
Unfortunately at this point I lost my walking stick as I sat
down on the sea wall for a rest and to watch the sea and it had gone when I got
up to leave. I guess someone going past must have taken it. Either someone thought
that was very funny or perhaps they needed it more than I did. I hoped they
might have just moved it, as a practical joke, but there was no sign of it. I can only hope that whoever
took it actually needed it more than I did but it did make getting back to Reculver very
difficult.
A faded Painted Lady butterfly was near Coldharbour and came
to rest right in front of me, which was very obliging of it. They are lovely butterflies.
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| Painted Lady |
A little
further on I saw what I think is a Fox Moth caterpillar inching its way along
the sea wall.
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| Fox Moth Caterpillar |
There were good numbers of Stonechat and I saw at least 12
during my visit with one in particular giving some very nice views. I found it difficult to get the exposure right as it was into the light but they give nice memory shots.
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| Stonechat |
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| Stonechat |
A lone Chiffchaff was catching flies whilst 12 Redshank were
roosting on the rocks before moving off and landing in the oyster farm.
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| Redshanks |
I was very pleased to reach Reculver but had the bonus of
seeing a Wall Brown butterfly resting on the concrete by the pumping station.
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| Wall Brown Butterfly |
There were also 3 Stonechat working their way along the fence.
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| Stonechat |
Birds seen this visit included: Marsh Harrier 1, Wren 2,
Dunnock 2, Robin 6, Blackcap 2, Chiffchaff 4, Long-tailed Tit, Great Tit 4,
Blue Tit 5, Redwing 1, Green Woodpecker 1, Cetti’s Warbler 1, Blackcap 2,
Chaffinch 60 west, Kestrel 6, Pied Wagtail 4 with at least 2 alba amongst them,
Meadow Pipit 25, House Sparrow 30, Starling 250, Sandwich Tern 4, Herring Gull,
Black-headed Gull, Great Black-backed Gull 4, Common Gull 2, Redshank 20,
Turnstone 15, Ringed Plover 2, Linnet 150, Swallow 1, House Martin 50, Skylark
5, Magpie 6, Common Buzzard 6, Goldfinch,
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