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