Fieldfare Encounter - Highstead to Marshside 30/01/19

I felt pretty rough today so I stayed closer to home and paid a visit to Highstead. It was a beautifully sunny day with a light north westerly wind but it was chilly in the wind. We had been forecast snow but in the end we did not get any.

There were the usual suspects around the old stable area and once again there were a huge number of Starling, Fieldfare and also Redwing around the orchard area. They were very flighty but there was a Common Buzzard and a Sparrowhawk around causing havoc each time they flew through. I had an obliging Fieldfare pose for me, in almost the same bush as last time, allowing me to get a reasonably close view.

Fieldfare

Fieldfare

Fieldfare

There were 30-40 Lapwing in a far field and at least 1000 Wood Pigeon regularly went up at the back at the appearance of a raptor. I walked as far as the former gravel pit but it was very quiet. The flooded area in the field was still there but empty of birds. Hopefully, if there is a bit more rain, it may get some visitors.

I walked on down to Marshside but apart from large numbers of Fieldfare, Starling and Redwing, the walk was pretty quiet. I got a good view of a male Chaffinch.

Male Chaffinch

Male Chaffinch

Marshside was also very quiet. There was still no sign or sound of a Cetti's Warbler. I hope they are still around. Moorhens were in most of the dykes and I liked the reflections of them and the reeds in the water.

Moorhen and reflections

Moorhen and reflections

A Vinca was peeping out from a hedgerow while some flowers had impressive heads in the roadside garden. I think that they are some form of Hellebore.

Vinca

Hellebore

Hellebore

I did not manage a new bird for the year today but I was pleased to have had a little time out.

Birds seen this visit include: Robin, Blackbird, Collared Dove, Goldfinch, Dunnock, c35 Lapwing, Stock Dove, c1500 Fieldfare, Chaffinch, c200 Redwing, c 1000 Starling, 1 Greenfinch, 3 Common Buzzard, 2 Sparrowhawk 1 male and 1 female, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, Rook, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Green Woodpecker, c1000 Wood Pigeon, 15 Moorhen, 2 Mallard,

Meeting with a Mistle Thrush - Marshside 25/01/19

I paid a short visit to Marshside this morning, as I was having my wisdom tooth taken out this afternoon and I was decidedly not looking forward to it, so I thought I would see what was around. It was pretty unpleasant, weather wise, with persistent scotch mist and very dull light.

It was very quiet overall but I did see a smart Mistle Thrush whose spots formed almost a complete breast band. The photo from the back shows how beautifully marked they actually are.

Mistle Thrush

Mistle Thrush

Mistle Thrush

There were 66 Lapwing up at the back and I saw a couple of Grey Heron. A Common Buzzard caused consternation amongst the Rooks and Carrion Crows while a Sparrowhawk was mobbed by a few brave Meadow Pipits as it flew low across one of the fields. There were a huge number of Fieldfare, Redwing and Starling in the apple orchard. It is very difficult to even hazard a guess as to how many but there were at least 1000 Starling with even more Fieldfare and perhaps a couple of hundred of Redwing.

I tried for some Moorhen views but they soon spotted me.

Moorhens

Moorhen running on water

The pigs seem to be getting on well. One was asleep but the other was rooting around.

Pig

It was only a short visit but I was pleased that I had come. I had enjoyed having the time to really appreciate how beautifully marked the Mistle Thrush was.

Birds seen this visit include: Robin, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Wren, Dunnock, Chaffinch, 2 Song Thrush, 1 Mistle Thrush, 11 Moorhen, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Sparrowhawk, 7 Meadow Pipit, 9 Mallard, 66 Lapwing, Fieldfare, Redwing, Starling

An Encounter with the five S's - Reculver 24/01/19

I headed for Reculver after work to see if there was any chance of catching up with the Hooded Crow that Chris Hindle had here this morning. Unfortunately the tide was fully in and it did not look hopeful but you can never know. The weather was not particularly pleasant with it being drizzly and very dull and overcast. The good thing was that there was very little wind which made walking along the wall much more pleasant.

Out to sea was very quiet but throughout the visit I did manage to see 5 Red-throated Diver going east and a couple of Great Crested Grebe also going east. I had a very sweet fluffed up Robin by the towers and there were the usual group of House Sparrows and the Blackbird was out looking for worms.

Robin

There were 15 Mute Swan in the back fields and I also saw a male Marsh Harrier hunting over there as well. Another 2 Mute Swan were in one of the oyster farm dykes. I had a Carrion Crow give a fly past and then come into land. But there was not any sign of the Hooded Crow.

Carrion Crow in flight

Carrion Crow coming into land

I carried on along the sea wall and was treated to some very nice views of a Dunnock. The white tips to his coverts have not worn off yet. They really are pretty birds in their own right. On the shore there was a group of 16 Ringed Plover and a Turnstone.

Dunnock

Ringed Plovers

The Stonechats were out in force and I reckon that I saw at least 12 during my visit. They seem to really like the areas on the shore that have been dug up by the wheels of the environmental lorries going back and fore. I think that they must be my most photographed birds but I love watching them.The light was very poor today so I struggled to get any decent photos but I enjoyed taking them.

Stonechat

Stonechat head on

I was well chuffed when I had a couple of Snow Buntings on the shore. One of them must be the same ringed male I have seen before. There were also 4 Linnet feeding with them and a Meadow Pipit. I love seeing Snow Buntings and these seemed unperturbed by anyone going past. They are such lovely birds to watch. I was pleased to be able to get some photos of both of them. They did not stay long before moving further up the beach.

Snow Bunting

Snow Bunting

Snow Bunting and twig

Snow Bunting

Snow Bunting eating a seed

Snow Bunting back view

Snow Bunting head on

I carried on up to Coldharbour and found it was very quiet. There were 2 Mute Swan and a Redshank on Coldharbour. 5 Shelduck were on the shore with 18 Oystercatcher. A Little Egret flew into Coldhabour and disappeared into cover. The Environmental agency have repaired the bank so hopefully that will help protect it against any winter storms.

As I was running out of time I headed back towards Reculver. Another 8 Mute Swan flew over the back fields. 500 Brent Geese went up in the distance but too far away to photograph. A Meadow Pipit was on the shore and a male Stonechat allowed a photo.

Male Stonechat

I could see a Short-eared Owl hunting in the distance but once I got closer there was no sign of it. One of these days I will be in the right spot just as it flies right in front of me. There were 2 female and a male Reed Bunting and also a small group of Linnet in the same place that I saw them last time, just by the green bank. I caught up with the Snow Buntings again before they carried on down the beach. Another Stonechat was on the shore.

I got a very nice surprise when I saw a Snipe (80) feeding in amongst the churned up mud. I have kept checking it as it seemed it would be a good place for one to be, and today, there one was. They are amazingly well camouflaged.

Snipe

Snipe

The male Marsh Harrier flew past again but still too distant for a photo in the light available. I had a couple of Song Thrush, a Pheasant calling from the oyster farm, 4 Teal on one of the oyster farm lagoons, a male and a 3 females. 3 Mute Swan did a nice fly past.

Mute Swans in flight

I finished off with a Short-eared Owl sat on a post. There was not enough light for a photo but I was pleased to see it. I did not manage to catch up with the Hooded Crow but I had enjoyed my visit.

Birds seen this visit included: 5 Red-throated Diver east, 2 Great Crested Grebe east, 3 Robin, 8 House Sparrow, 2 Blackbird, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Common Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, 1 Grey Heron, 27 Mute Swan, 22 Ringed Plover, 3 Turnstone, 1 Dunlin, 1 Dunnock, 12 Stonechat, 9 Redshank, 9 Meadow Pipit, 1 Magpie, 3 Reed Bunting, 18 Linnet, 2 Song Thrush, Pheasant, 4 Teal, 18 Mallard, 2 Short-eared Owl

A Magpie Looking for a Tail - Reculver 22/01/19

As it was such a beautifully sunny afternoon I paid a visit to Reculver after work. Though it was cold, there was next to no wind. I only caught the very last of the sunshine but it was extremely welcome. The sea appeared to be very quiet with only a few Herring and Black-headed Gulls on the water and remained quiet the whole time I was there. There was a small flock of 9 House Sparrows in their usual bush while the Blackbird was out hunting for worms again. I could see 8 Mute Swan in the back fields but otherwise it was very quiet.

I headed along the sea wall and saw a Curlew fly west. I did try for a photo but did not have much success with it. There were a couple of Mute Swan in one of the oyster farm dykes. Every now and then a Redshank would call and have a quick fly round. The tide appeared to be going out but only very slowly.

Curlew

I could see a Short-eared Owl hunting in the distance over the oyster far but unfortunately, though I saw it several times throughout my visit, it never came close enough to try for a photo. When I looked back towards the towers I could see a large bank of cloud coming in. The forecast for tomorrow is not great. A Carrion Crow flew past me so I grabbed a shot.

Reculver and Sky

Carrion Crow

A Redshank flew down onto the churned up mud and was kind enough to allow some photos. In the photos I can see that it is ringed.

Ringed Redshank

Ringed Redshank

I liked the reflection of one of the cormorant poles in the sea, with said Cormorant standing on top of it. I caught up with the tailless Magpie again and though a little distant I tried for a photo. I wonder how it lost its tail.

Cormorant and pole

Tailless Magpie

I had a sit and a rest on the sea wall, near the green bank, and a flock of 22 Linnet were spread between a couple of the bushes. They were chattering away. I had to use a high ISO but at least it meant that I have some nice memory shots.

Linnets

Linnets

I was really very cold by this time and in a lot of pain so I started to head back. The walk back was very quiet. Once I was back near the towers I could hear a Little Owl calling and also 3 separate Grey Partridge (79) calling.

As I neared the car park I thought I would try for a shot of the bay. It has not come out great but I like the reflections in the water.

Night shot of the Bay

Birds seen this visit include: 9 House Sparrow, Blackbird, Herring Gull, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Mute Swan, Meadow Pipit, Carrion Crow, Redshank, 1 Curlew west, 2 Dunnock, Robin, 3 Stonechat, 22 Linnet, 1 Song Thrush, Wren, Reed Bunting, 1 Short-eared Owl, 1 Little Gull, 3 Grey Partridge

A Battle With a Worm - Reculver 20/01/19

I paid a visit to Reculver, after work, this afternoon. It was a beautiful day, sunny with some cloud, and though cold the north easterly wind wasn't so strong which made a difference from the strong winds we've had recently.

I had a walk towards the sea wall, via the towers, and saw a Blackbird catch a huge earthworm. I really didn’t think that it would be able to swallow it, particularly as it attempted to swallow it whole. It took it a few minutes, and quite a struggle, to manage to swallow it and it had to pause and just sit with the tip of the worms tail still visible in its open bill once it had almost succeeded, before finally being able to completely swallow it. Amazingly, afterwards, the Blackbird immediately started hunting again. I was somewhat surprised it could even move. I tried for a series of photos but the initial ones were very blurred, as my shutter speed was too slow, so although I have included the one that gives a good idea how big the worm was, they pick up again with much of the poor worm already swallowed. 

Blackbird and worm

Blackbird and worm

Blackbird and worm

Almost gone!

Hungrey again!

When I reached the sea wall there was a female/immature Marsh Harrier hunting at the back of the fields, near the railway line. I hoped that it might come closer for some photos but it went over Brook direction instead. I could also see 12 Mute Swans in the back fields. There were 11 Mallard out to sea. I saw a yacht passing the red buoy out to sea and it looked great as the sun caught its sails.

Yacht

I carried on along the seawall. Every now and then Redshank's would call or fly over . The tide was falling and gradually little patches of shore were being exposed. I was really pleased to see a distant Short-eared Owl (77) over the oyster farm and hoped that I might see it again a little closer, once I was further along the sea wall. A very sweet Robin was feeding amongst the churned up mud. It was a real little fluff ball. Out to sea some Mallards flew past close to shore and I was able to grab a shot of a couple of them.

Mallards in flight

I was very pleased to see the Short-eared Owl again a few times. It was mainly very distant but it did, on occasions, come a little closer so I tried for some shots. They have not come out very well, as I had to use a very high ISO, but they do make good memory shots. I love watching owls.

Short-eared Owl

Short-eared Owl on patrol

Short-eared Owl

It was getting very cold by now and I started to make my way back. A Little Egret flew over and landed on the shore. I did try for some photos but there was not really enough light. The sky looked quite spectacular.

Sunset

There is due to be a total eclipse of the moon tonight, it will be a super blood wolf moon. Super because the moon will be near its closest approach to earth, wolf because that is what full moons in January are called, apparently, and red because of the earths shadow. When I looked behind me I could see the rising moon just beginning to be clear of the clouds. I grabbed a shot before it was totally obscured again and then further along, once it was clear of the clouds, I tried for another shot, this time using spot metering.

Rising Moon

Rising Moon

As I came up to the towers I could hear a Little Owl (78) calling. I took a photo of the ruins with the moon in the background and then one of the towers with the moon. I liked the edging to the clouds. Once I got to the car park I tried another photo of the towers with the moon just above. Hopefully I might see the totality of the eclipse before I go to work in the morning. Apparently it will be the last full one visible from here for quite a while. The forecast looks hopeful that the sky will be clear.

Reculver Ruins and moon

Reculver Towers and moon

Reculver Towers and moon

In the early hours of Monday morning I took a photo of the blood moon and have included it here.

Blood Moon

Birds seen this visit included: 3 Blackbird, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, 2 Pied Wagtail, 1 Marsh Harrier, 15 Redshank, 18 Mallard, 5 Sanderling, 6 Ringed Plover, 5 Turnstone, 2 Curlew, 10 Oystercatcher, 5 Dunlin, 1 Grey Plover, 2 Brent Geese, 1 Little Egret, 2 Stonechat, 5 Meadow Pipit,1  Magpie, Carrion Crow, 12 Mute Swan, 1 Mistle Thrush, Little Owl heard calling.