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.