I managed to finish work a little earlier today and thought
I would pay a visit to Reculver and see what I could see. The visit started really well when, as we came down the road
to Reculver, I saw 2 Common Buzzards very low over the road. Luckily we were
right by a spot that we could pull in so I tried for some photos of them. I
managed to get some and felt so lucky as it is the
closest I have ever seen a Buzzard before. It really was an incredible encounter.
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| Common Buzzard |
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| Common Buzzard |
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| Common Buzzard |
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| Common Buzzard |
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| Common Buzzard |
Feeling well chuffed I wondered what else may be in store.
There was a brisk north westerly wind blowing and for once the sea wall was
pretty much deserted. I guess everybody else had more sense than to be out on
it. There was not a huge amount going out at sea but I did see 8 Common Gulls
west.
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| Common Gull |
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| Common Gull |
I got a very nice surprise when I saw a Brent Goose,
presumably the same one I saw the other day, much closer in. It looked very
handsome indeed and did not seem to be bothered by the waves as it rode them up
and down.
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| Brent Goose |
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| Brent Goose |
Some Sanderling and Ringed Plover were roosting on a close
shingle ridge to the wall and therefore gave good views.
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| Sanderling |
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| Ringed Plover |
I got another nice surprise when I had 2 immature Gannets go
west. I tried for some photographs but they were a little too far out for me.
But at least it makes a nice memory shot.
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| Immature Gannets |
Meadow Pipit numbers are definitely climbing and one was
particularly obliging today and allowed me a nice close photograph of it.
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| Meadow Pipit |
Goldfinches were enjoying the seeds from the teasels.
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| Goldfinch |
A couple of Oystercatchers were feeding along the shingle
and were also quite close. One prised something out from a shell and then ate
it.
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| Oystercatcher |
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| Oystercatcher |
Two Mute Swans flew past and as I approached Coldharbour. I also saw 2 Rock Pipits, one of which rested briefly on one of the groynes.
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| Rock Pipit |
I really hoped that I would be able to see the Snow Bunting
today as I still have not managed to see it yet. As there was so few people
around I hoped that improved my chances. I checked carefully as I went along but without any luck. Once I
reached Coldharbour I saw movement on the last bit of shingle before the
lagoons and there was a Snow Bunting. I felt the luckiest person in the world.
I watched it for a while and took some photos before a passing cyclist spooked
it and it flew to the shingle bank at the back of Coldharbour. I was so chuffed
to have seen it.
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| Snow Bunting |
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| Snow Bunting |
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| Snow Bunting |
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| Snow Bunting |
I decided to have a walk round Coldharbour. There were 4 Little Egrets roosting and 27 Mallard on
the lagoons and I got a nice surprise when I saw a Little Grebe with them. I could not
manage much of a photo but, again, it makes a nice memory shot.
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| Mallards and a Little Grebe |
I had a rest on the sea wall for a while and then headed for
home. By this time I was losing the light but kept my eyes open for a
Short-eared Owl but they were noticeable by their absence. I do wonder if they
have moved on, or else perhaps are just not hunting in the day at the moment.
It was another stunning sunset and made a lovely finish to the afternoon, as did hearing a Little Owl calling.
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| Reculver Towers at Sunset |
Birds I saw during the visit included: 2 Common
Buzzard, 7 Redshank, 25 Ringed Plover, 25 Sanderling, 5 Oystercatchers, 10
Turnstone, 2 Blue Tit, 1 Robin, 8 Goldfinch, 1 Reed Bunting, 1 Dark-bellied
Brent Goose, 2 immature Gannet west, 8 Common Gull west, 7 Little Egret, 4 Mute
Swan, 27 Mallard, 1 Little Grebe, 2 Stonechat, 16 Meadow Pipit, 2 Rock Pipit, 1
Snow Bunting, 1 Dunnock, 1 Kesterl, 1 Little Owl calling.
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