Friday, 16 November 2018

Mist at Reculver - 16/11/18


The weather remained very misty and damp all day today. I had hoped it might brighten but as it made no sign of doing so I headed down to Reculver in the afternoon and had a short walk along the sea wall. Once again I got some very nice views of the Black Redstart from the car park. It is a beautiful little bird. The Robin was also there but, like yesterday, it really did not want its photo taken. This is one very shy Robin.

Black Redstart

Black Redstart

Black Redstart

Black Redstart

Black Redstart

Black Redstart

I carried on along the sea wall but it was not easy with the mist getting ever thicker. Now and then a clearer patch would come in but only last for a minute or so before the mist came down again. It was nice to see 2 Little Grebes on one of the oyster farm lagoons. I saw a Pied Wagtail and heard a few others. Out to sea there were 8 Mallard on the water, with another 2 resting on the shore and one flying in from the west. A Grey Plover was on the shore, presumably the same one that I often see around. They are very handsome birds.

Grey Plover

A Robin popped up on the sea wall and allowed a quick photo. It is a poor photo but a nice memory shot.

Robin

It was very quiet walking through. I saw 3 Redshank and 18 Ringed Plover. There was not any sign of any Stonechats but the odd Meadow Pipit was batting around. I walked up to the green bank and then turned round. It was very very quiet overall. I got a nice surprise as I headed back as a ring-tailed Hen Harrier appeared out of the mist. I grabbed a few shots and though none of them came out well I am pleased that I have a memory shot. I did not see any Short-eared Owls today.

Hen Harrier

On the way back there was a Dunlin amongst the Ringed Plovers.  A couple of Dunnock were near the sea wall and a couple of Blue Tit were also feeding nearby. As I came up to the pumping station I disturbed a Kingfisher. They are always a pleasure to see.  The Common Gull was in its usual spot paddling the ground for worms while the towers enjoyed a short spell without very much mist.

Reculver Towers in the mist

Birds I saw this visit included: 1 Black Redstart, 3 Robin, 2 Dunnock, 11 Mallard, 2 Little Grebe, 18 Ringed Plover, 1 Grey Plover, 1 Dunlin, 1 ring-tailed Hen Harrier, 1 Common Gull, 1 Kingfisher, 5 Meadow Pipit, Carrion Crows, Cormorants, Herring Gulls, Black-headed Gulls

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