Merlin Fly Past - Shuart to Reculver 04/01/19

As it was the last day of my holiday today I decided to try a walk from Shuart to Reculver. I wasn’t sure how I would get on as I still feel pretty rough but I wanted to make the most of the last day.

It was a very cold day today with a brisk north westerly wind. It started out with a fair amount of sunshine but started to cloud over fairly soon.

I had a good start to the morning when, shortly after arriving in the car park, a Common Buzzard flew into the sheepfield hedge. It was somewhat obscured by branches but worth trying for a photo. They are beautiful birds. It was an immature and did not stay long as a dog walker arrived causing it to fly off. At the back of the sheepfield I could also see 5 Long-tailed Tits (64). One of the sheep stood watching me for a while. I am not sure what breed it is but it has a lovely face.

Common Buzzard

Sheep

I walked up to the start of the bridleway and got some nice views of a couple of Chiffchaff. Once again they were soon disturbed by a dog walker. Boy oh boy there are a lot of dog walkers. A Great Spotted Woodpecker called and 3 Ring-necked Parakeets were calling away.

Chiffchaff

Chiffchaff

I headed down the main track and managed to pick up most of the usual suspects. I still have not managed to catch up with Greenfinch though. I did however see a Moorhen (65) in one of the dykes . I saw at least 5 Chiffchaff during my walk through and was chuffed to see 2 Goldcrests. They are such lovely little birds.

A little further on a male Chaffinch posed very nicely for me and looked stunning in the sunshine. A Marsh Harrier flushed a Fieldfare as it flew over. I heard a bird call and recorded it. I couldn’t see the bird but then it flew out and appeared to be a Yellowhammer (66) and I confirmed this once I got home and could listen to the call. I am so bad at remembering calls. It seems to have got a lot worse as I have got older. It is clearly something I am going to need to work at.

Male Chaffinch

On reaching the sea wall I saw a diver fly west, which if I had been quicker I would have been able to get a photo of it as it was reasonably close. I think it was a Great Northern but I cannot be sure. It was very cold up on the wall. A male Stonechat gave some very nice views.

Male Stonechat

There was a large group of around 300 Brent Geese were chattering away. Initially they were in one of the fields with some Herring Gulls. It is only when you see them with the gulls that you realise either how small they are or how big Herring Gulls are. After a little while they all flew across and landed in the sea.

Brent Geese and Herring Gull

Brent Geese

Plumpudding island was quiet with only a few Redshank on it. Out to sea I could see 3 Great Crested Grebes while a little further on 5 Shelduck (67) were bobbing around. I was chuffed to see them, as once again they were new birds for the year.

Shelduck

Several types of waders were roosting on the shingle so I tried for some photos. There was a single Sanderling but it was clearly shy as it promptly moved out of sight. There was at least one juvenile amongst the Grey Plovers.

Dunlin

Ringed Plover

Grey Plover roosting

Grey Plover

I carried on towards Coldharbour and on reaching it I was pleased to see a single male Teal  (68) and a Little Grebe (69) amongst the 25 Mallard, which were both new birds for the year. The Little Grebe definitely did not want its photo taken but the Teal was a little more obliging. A Little Egret and a few Redshank were also there.

Teal on Coldharbour

Teal

I was very cold by this time and headed for home. The sea remained pretty quiet but I did have a Curlew west. The highlight of the walk back was a Merlin (70) shooting through. I tried for a photo and though it is not a great shot I was really pleased to get it. I had a Common Gull past (71). I got a surprise when I saw some Mute Swans flying well over at the back, beyond the oyster farm, as the Black Swan, that Chris Hindle had the other day was flying as well. I had forgotten that Black Swans had white in their wings. I tried for some photos but they were a very long way away and the light was very poor by now. I’ve added one of the photos here and though it is a really poor photo it does make a good memory shot. The Black Swan is the bird furthest to the right.

Merlin

Black Swan

I was pleased to get back to Reculver but was happy that I had tried to make the most of today. I will miss being able to come out when I want. Holidays are definitely good.

Birds I saw this visit include: 1 Common Buzzard, 2 Pheasant, 15 Lapwing, 3 Ring necked Parakeet, 8 Chaffinch, 3 Robin, c40 Blackbird, 5 Long-tailed Tits, 5 Chiffchaff, 1 Jay, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 25 Goldfinch, Blue Tit, 2 Goldcrest, Great Tit, 2 Wren, Dunnock, 5 Fieldfare, 1 Moorhen, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Yellowhammer, 5 Reed Bunting, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Kestrel, c300 Brent Geese, Herring Gull, Black-headed Gull, Carrion Crow, Rook, Jackdaw, 3 Stonechat, 1 Red-throated Diver, 3 Pied Wagtail, 3 Redwing, 1 Song Thrush, 2 Mistle Thrush, 3 Great Crested Grebe, 14 Grey Plover, 15 Dunlin, 10 Ringed Plover, 5 Turnstone, 8 Oystercatcher, 1 Sanderling, 1 Curlew, 5 Shelduck, 9 Redshank, 1 Little Grebe, 1 Teal, 25 Mallard, 1 Little Egret, Starling,  2 Coot, 2 Meadow Pipit, Cormorant, 3 Corn Bunting, 1 Black Swan.