I headed for Reculver after work this afternoon. It was a beautifully sunny afternoon but with a cool south easterly wind. Once again, as the sea wall was chock a block with people, I headed for the path at the back of the oyster farm. I could hear Lapwing calling from the field and saw a couple. I wonder if they will breed there. I could also hear a Chiffchaff calling and it gave some nice, if distant, views. It is hard to know if it is an early migrant or one of the wintering birds from another area moving through. I certainly haven't seen one here prior to this, although I have seen wintering birds in nearby areas. This was one very active bird.
 |
| Chiffchaff |
 |
| Chiffchaff |
 |
| Chiffchaff with fanned tail feathers |
A Redshank was in its usual spot and, apart from turning and looking, it seemed totally unfazed by a couple of passing walkers and happily went back to preening once they had passed. I am so used to them flying away at the first sign of a human that it always surprises me when one doesn't.
 |
| Redshank |
Groups of Cormorants, ranging in size from 2 to 35 came over at fairly frequent intervals, presumably heading towards Stodmarsh. The downside to flying below another bird became clear when the lower bird's wing tip was covered in bird droppings from the bird above it. It is perhaps a good job it wasn't directly below, as its whole wing may have been covered then. Another passing bird showed its underwing well.
 |
| Cormorants - watch out below |
 |
| Cormorant underwing |
A Little Egret was on one of the lagoons and was doing a lot of foot paddling while feeding. When it lifted its leg it appeared to have caught up possibly some blanket weed. It looked as if it caught a small fish at one point. I had not realised that there were fish were in the lagoons.
 |
| Little Egret and reflection |
A Magpie flew past giving good views of its wings. They are beautifully marked. On the other side of the path there were 4 Golden Plover in one of the fields blending in very well with the ground indeed. A Short-eared Owl was resting at the back of one of the jetties. Unfortunately it was mostly obscured from where I was.
 |
| Magpie |
 |
| Golden Plovers |
The rest of the walk towards the sea wall was quite quiet apart from a flock of 52 Corn Bunting over. From the sea wall I could see 6 Mallard out to sea and I had a Ringed Plover do a fly past.
 |
| Mallards |
 |
| Ringed Plover in flight |
A Turnstone also gave a chance to try an in flight photo but I almost lost if out of the frame, hence the heavy cropping. I am still finding it difficult to keep birds in the view finder when using burst mode. Hopefully I will get better at it in time.
 |
| Turnstone in flight |
A couple of Ringed Plover watched me somewhat warily but apart from the above it was very quiet for waders.
 |
| Ringed Plovers |
A little further along I came across a Grey Plover. It seemed much less spangled and browner toned than the others I have seen but it was a lovely bird. I think it is in non-breeding adult plummage at present but its breast does appears to show some signs of darker feathers. When I first came across it roosting I wondered what it was for a moment. Perhaps it is because I have mainly seen very spangled birds and perhaps the light made a difference as well.
 |
| Grey Plover roosting |
 |
| Grey Plover |
 |
| Grey Plover - quick yawn |
 |
| Grey Plover - wing stretch |
 |
| Grey Plover showing rump |
 |
| Grey Plover |
I walked up to Coldharbour but it was very quiet. There was just a couple of Redshank and a Little Egret. A Black-headed Gull gave some nice views as it flew around before coming in to land.
 |
| Black-headed Gull - upperwing |
 |
| Black-headed Gull - underwing |
Originally I had been going to try and get as far as Shuart, so I could have a look for Barn Owl in the hopes that one would be out hunting, but I was losing the light rapidly and decided to head back towards Reculver. A Curlew flew past calling. I could not get a good shot but it makes a good memory shot all the same.
 |
| Curlew calling |
The Short-eared Owl was out hunting but the light was very poor by now and the photos taken at high ISO suffered accordingly. Still, once again, it makes a nice memory shot.
 |
| Short-eared Owl |
As I approached the Oyster farm buildings I could hear a bird calling. I recorded the call as I did not recognise it but have been unable to find out what it was. It sounded like a wader but if it was I really have no idea which. Perhaps it was just one of the usual ones giving an unusual call.
I had an enjoyable visit in some beautiful weather.
Birds seen this visit include: 3 Blackbird, House Sparrow, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, 2 Meadow Pipit, 8 Mute Swan, 3 Redshank, 1 Little Egret, 4 Grey Plover, 3 Magpie, 15 Meadow Pipit, 1 Short-eared Owl, 4 Reed Bunting, 1 Wren, Carrion Crow, Skylarks, 1 Goldfinch, 52 Corn Bunting, 1 Grey Partridge calling
