Red-legged Partridges and Cetti's - Shuart to Reculver 05/10/18

I had a slow walk from Shuart to Reculver today. It was a fine and warm day with a coolish light north westerly wind. I did keep my eye out for my stick in case it turned up but unfortunately not. I still can not quite believe that somebody took it.

The visit started well with 8 Red-legged Partridge from the road as we approached the pull in. They gave very nice views and looked very handsome in the sunshine.

Red-legged Partridge

Red-legged Partridge

I had a walk up to the bridleway and there were Blue Tits and Great Tits calling, Robin, Wren, Blackbird and Dunnock and lots of Wood Pigeons. A Great Spotted Woodpecker called, as did a Mistle Thrush and several Chaffinch were calling and feeding in the trees.

I retraced my steps and had a walk down the main track. A Common Buzzard was thermalling and I also had 6 Magpie. A Marsh Frog took exception to my presence and leapt back into the dyke from where it had been sunning itself. There was a Crow who appeared to be just playing high in the air, wheeling and diving. A handsome Red Admiral butterfly was on some ivy and allowed a photo. 

Red Amiral Butterfly

A Chiffchaff called but otherwise it did appear to be very quiet. I also saw a couple of Blackcap fleetingly. A Common Darter was more obliging and posed nicely.

Common Darter

A Grey Heron was working its way along a far field edge and Skylarks were passing overhead at regular intervals. A small flock of Long-tailed tits were feeding in the bush by the railway line and a Cetti’s Warbler was alarm calling in a bush along the railway line. I couldn’t see what it was alarm calling at. Though it was distant for the camera I tried for some photos. Although not good, they are the first photos of Cetti’s Warbler that I have managed to get and I was really pleased to get them.

Cetti's Warbler

Cetti's Warbler

Cetti's Warbler

In a field near the stables there were 120 Black-headed Gulls and 1, what I think is an immature Lesser Black-backed Gull. I certainly need to get much better at gulls.

Lesser Black-backed Gull

Some House Sparrows and Starlings, near the stables, looked lovely in the light. I could see 4 Pied Wagtails in with the horses, 2 of which were probably White Wagtails.

Starling

I had lunch while having a rest on the sea wall and saw 7 Sandwich Tern off shore. They are lovely birds.

Sandwich Tern

Sandwich Tern

I worked my way back to Reculver. Apart from a few Meadow Pipits and Linnet there was nothing on Plumpudding Island and nothing at all on Coldharbour and no sign of the Snow Buntings. The tide was on the turn and I could see a Curlew feeding and I also had a Grey Plover. A Curlew's bill really is quite something.

Curlew

I had a Small Copper rest briefly on the sea wall and a Clouded Yellow flew past me. I really hoped that it would settle but it did not. I would love a photo of one.

Small Copper

I saw at least 11 Stonechat but all were too distant for photos today. They really are gorgeous little birds. Sea mist kept rolling in and visibility would go from good to thick mist. It could be sunny on one side of me and in thick mist the other.

Sea Mist

As the mist cleared I had 3 Grey Partridge in the old caravan site. I was very pleased to see 3 Wall Brown butterflies along the Roman wall. 2 were flying round each other constantly but the third was more settled and allowed some photos. They are beautiful butterflies.

Wall Brown Butterflies

I had a quick look at the bushes near the caravan park and got somewhat of a scolding from a House Sparrow for my troubles and also saw some gorgeous red leaves. I am not sure what the plant is. It made a nice end to an enjoyable day.

Red Leaves

Birds I saw  this visit included: Red-legged Partridge 8, Wood Pigeons, Blue Tits 7, Great Tit 8, Robin 4, Blackbird 2, Great Spotted Woodpecker 1, Chaffinch 10, Reed Bunting 5, Grey Heron 3, Wren 5, Dunnock 3, Cetti’s Warbler 2, Blakcap 2, Redwing 1, Long-tailed Tits 7, Mistle Thrush 1, Magpie 8, Common Buzzard 2, Chiffchaff 8, Mallard 6, Sandwich Tern 7, Oystercatcher 44, Turnstone 18, Ringed Plover 12, Grey Plover 1, Curlew 1, Redshank 24, Meadow Pipits 25, Skylark 10, Corn Bunting 1, Reed Bunting 5, Stonechat 11, Linnet 156, Pied Wagtail 7, Goldfinch 7, Kestrel 4, Little Egret 8, Mute Swan 5, Starling 450, House Sparrow 60, Great Black-backed Gull 3, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, 5 Collared Dove, Grey Partridge 3, Carrion Crow, Rook, Jackdaw. I also saw 1 Clouded Yellow butterfly and 3 Wall Brown butterflies.