Long-eared Wonder - South to Reculver 16/02/19

I had an unexpected full day to play with today so I decided to walk from the south to Reculver via the sea wall. Walking was a little problematic today so I took it slowly and had lots of stops to just enjoy the view. It started fine but clouded over as the day went on with a cool southerly wind.

The visit started well when a Red-legged Partridge (96) flew up from the path. I had not seen it until it flew and it must have been well tucked in. I felt sorry to have disturbed it but I was pleased to see it. There were lots of the usual little jobs around and the sunshine seemed to have encouraged an increase in song. Skylarks were singing away like mad. I disturbed a Peacock butterfly, that I had not seen, from the path and it flew off strongly before settling out of sight.

The biggest surprise of the morning was coming across a Long-eared Owl (97) roosting in a bush. I just looked across and there it was. What a stunningly beautiful bird. I have wanted to see one for a very long time and never thought I would get a view like that. I suddenly realised there was also a second owl further back. I felt so incredibly lucky to have seen them. To say they made my morning would be an understatement.

Long-eared Owl

2nd Long-eared Owl

As I approached the sea wall I had 28 Corn Bunting in various bushes. They were quite mobile, with small groups moving through at a time. Some House Sparrows were resting up as well. I had a Greylag Goose flying south east which came as a nice surprise.

Corn Bunting

House Sparrows

The tide was out a fair way out. A smattering of Oystercatchers were feeding along the shore. 10 Sanderling and a few Redshank were also present. I got a nice surprise when I saw a goose on the shore and it turned out to be a White-fronted Goose (98). I was a little puzzled as it seemed small in comparison to the Herring Gulls but it appeared to be an adult White-fronted. A little while later it joined the Brent Geese who were on one of the fields.

White-fronted Goose with Herring Gulls

White-fronted Goose

White-fronted Goose

White-fronted Goose amongst Brent Geese

I sat and had a look out to sea and was pleased to see a raft of Common Scoter (99) with at least 27 present. There were also a couple of Great Crested Grebe out to sea. A group of 3 Brent Geese were repeatedly flying around. Each time they settled, they would be off again. I wondered if it was 2 males having a disagreement over a female.

Brent Geese

There were good numbers of Herring Gull and Black-headed Gull on the shore. In amongst them was a single Common Gull and a single Lesser Black-backed Gull (100).

Lesser Black-backed Gull

I headed back along the sea wall. The weather was going off rapidly with building heavy cloud and a freshening cool wind. There were only a couple of Redshank on Plumpudding Island so I carried on.

I had a couple of Meadow Pipit pose nicely. There was a Little Egret and 3 Redshank on Coldharbour. 2 Mute Swan, an adult and an immature were out to sea. I really hoped that I might catch up with the Hooded Crow but no luck.

Meadow Pipit

Meadow Pipit

I got brief views of a Short-eared Owl and even though the light was very bad I attempted a photo of a Magpie in flight as they are so beautiful with wings and tail spread. They really are stunning birds.

Magpie in flight

I was pleased to reach Reculver but it had been a thoroughly enjoyable day.

Birds seen this visit include: 5 Robin, 3 Wren, Dunnock, 15 Blackbird, 3 Song Thrush, Chaffinch, Blue Tit, Great Tit, 12 Long-tailed Tit, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Red-legged Partridge,15  Goldfinch, Fieldfare, 2 Long-eared Owl, Reed Bunting, 3 Common Buzzard, 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Sparrowhawk, House Sparrow, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, 2 Grey Heron, Pied Wagtail, Magpie, 3 Mistle Thrush, 32 Mallard, 1 Chiffchaff, Meadow Pipit, 28 Corn Bunting, 1 Greylag Goose, Mute Swan, 2 Kestrel, Redshank, 10 Sanderling, 2 Grey Plover, 5 Great Black-backed Gull, 1 White-fronted Goose, 1 Common Gull, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 4 Curlew, 27 Common Scoter, 7 Great Crested Grebe, 4 Shelduck, 2 Teal, 2 Snow Bunting flew past calling, Short-eared Owl, Magpie, 3 Pheasant, 1 Short-eared Owl, 1 Little Owl.