I paid a visit to Reculver this afternoon. Unfortunately the wind over the last few days has been perfect for seeing passing seabirds and I have been unable to get down as I have been working. Today, when I could finally get here, the wind has swung round to south easterly and everything was pretty quiet. Each time there has been a good seawatch I have been working. Ah well. Such is life. It was nice to have some sunshine for the first part of my visit but it was very cold. I had a look for the Black Redstart but could not see any birds on the rocks by the car park today. A couple of Redshank flew in to the rocks at the foot of the towers and I managed to get a couple of shots.
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| Redshank in flight |
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| Redshanks landing |
I headed on and could see a distant winter plumaged Great Crested Grebe out to sea and there were a couple of Lapwing on the old caravan site. Out to sea I saw an unusual combination of 2 Brent Geese and a Cormorant flying in formation. They were very distant but I tried for a photo and though it is cropped a lot, it does make a nice memory shot. I also had a Little Egret fly past and then come into the oyster farm. They certainly have an impressive wing span. A Great Crested Grebe flew east and a Red-throated Diver flew west.
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| Brent Geese and Cormorant in formation |
I carried on along the sea wall, moving over regularly for cars and vans as the workmen headed up to the works that are taking place on the outflow near Coldharbour. I kept my eyes open for an owl or harrier but all was quiet. There were however good numbers of Stonechat, I saw at least 7 during the visit. They are lovely little birds. There were also good numbers of Meadow Pipit and I saw 22 during the afternoon.
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| Male Stonechat |
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| Female Stonechat |
I continued heading towards Coldharbour and saw 3 Teal going east followed by 6 Eider going in the same direction.
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| Eider in flight |
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| Eider in flight |
There was a very sweet Blue Tit busily feeding on the other side of the sea wall.
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| Blue Tit |
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| Blue Tit |
During the afternoon I saw a total of 34 Brent Geese with 3 giving nice reflections in the water as they flew low over the sea. I also saw a couple of Curlew but could not get a decent photo. The tide was slowly going out giving the chance to catch up with a few waders. I had really hoped for an Avocet but did not have any luck so I had to make do with the usual suspects.
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| Brent Geese and reflections |
There did not appear to be anything on Coldharbour which was well named today, as I was frozen by the time I reached it. I had a quick rest and then headed for home. A family group of Goldfinches were feeding on some Teasels. Where one of them was perched on top of a Teasel it looked like it was floating above it.
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| Goldfinch on Teasel |
A Song Thrush was enjoying a wash and brush up in a puddle of water.
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| Song Thrush wash and brush up |
I could hear a couple of Grey Plovers calling and one flew in and started feeding along the shore, calling regularly and was soon joined by another one.
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| Grey Plover |
I was pleased to see a group of 6 Sanderling while Turnstone and Ringed Plover were also busy feeding.
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| Sanderling |
I caught sight of a Short-eared Owl very briefly but unfortunately it did not come up again. With the light starting to fail I headed for home. A group of Brent Geese were feeding near the pumping station outflow.
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| Brent Geese |
One of the Lapwing was nearer on the old caravan park. I tried for photo but had to use a high ISO but at least it enabled me to get a shot.
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| Lapwing |
I had a check for Little Owl but could not see one today. A Common Gull was feeding once again on the grass by the towers and was a nice finish to the visit.
Birds I saw this visit included: 3 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Red-throated Diver, 25 Redshank, 15 Turnstone, 8 Ringed Plover, 9 Sanderling, 2 Curlew, 2 Grey Plover, 34 Brent Geese, 5 Blackbird, 6 House Sparrows, 64 Linnet, 2 Lapwing, 3 Little Egret, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Pheasant, Cormorants, 7 Stonechat, 22 Meadow Pipits, 5 Reed Bunting, Carrion Crows, Black-headed Gulls, Herring Gulls, Great Black-backed Gulls, 1 Common Gull, 7 Goldfinches, 1 Blue Tit, 1 Song Thrush, 3 Wren, 2 Dunnock, 1 Short-eared Owl, 6 Eider, 3 Teal, 8 Mallard, 5 Mute Swan, 1 Coot
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