Some Handsome Redwings - Chambers Wall to Reculver 03/01/19

I thought I would have a walk from Chambers Wall and then head for Reculver today. It was a chilly day with a cold north westerly wind.

I hoped to add some birds for the year but certainly the walk up the road did not really produce much. There were good numbers of Redwing around today with 8 in the area around the car park. I managed to get a couple of photos. They are very handsome birds.

Redwing

Redwing

A Robin was tucked in the hedge and allowed a quick shot even though it was pretty obscured. A small flock of 7 Golden Plover flew up from a back field where 35 Herring Gull were also present.

I carried on down the track towards the railway crossing. Lots of Blackbirds were calling and flitting around, there were also several more Redwing and a good number of Fieldfare. A couple more Robins and also Blue Tits were feeding in the bushes.

Robin

The walk up to Coldharbour was very quiet , while on Coldharbour itself there was a Little Egret, 15 Mallard and 2 Redshank. The sea was very quiet indeed and throughout the walk back to Reculver I did not see any Grebes or Divers.

I was pleased to catch up with 5 Corn Buntings (62) but they were too shy for photos today. A flock of 15 Linnets were zipping around while 4 House Sparrows and a female Chaffinch were in one of the bushes. One of the male House Sparrows was peeping out at me.

House Sparrow

The pair of Stonechats were back catching insects from the mud while being mobbed by a Robin. The male was a little nearer and allowed a photo.

Stonechat

I kept my eyes open for a Short-eared Owl but did not have any luck. I did at least manage to catch up with a Grey Heron (63). 31 Mute Swan flew around in two groups over the fields at the back of the oysterfarm.

I did not see any sign of the Great Northern Diver, I really hope that it managed to recover.

Birds seen this visit include: c30 Blackbird, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Skylark, Herring Gull, Black-headed Gull, 7 Golden Plover, 3 Robin, 2 Wren, 1 Dunnock, 25 Redwing, 20 Fieldfare, Chaffinch, 2 Goldfinch, 5 Coot, 2 Reed Bunting, 5 Corn Bunting, 5 House Sparrow, 5 Redshank, 17 Mallard, 2 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 15 Linnet, 2 Stonechat, 31 Mute Swan, 220 Brent Geese, 5 Oystercatcher, 8 Turnstone, 1 Sanderling, 10 Ringed Plover, 1 Kestrel.