Young Grey Seal and 1st Butterfly of the Year - Reculver 14/02/19

I came down to Reculver after work this afternoon. It was a beautiful afternoon, sunny but with a cool southerly wind.

I was surprised and somewhat concerned to see a young Grey Seal on the concrete apron, below the towers. It seemed to be okay and was looking around and did not seem distressed in any way. I am hoping that it is just waiting for the tide to come back up again and having a rest in the meantime. I have seen a Common Seal on the shore before and that headed back to sea without a problem, so I really hope that is the case here. The slope of its head could be seen well as it turned.

Young Grey Seal

Young Grey Seal

Young Grey Seal

Young Grey Seal

Young Grey Seal

A pair of Pied Wagtail were feeding along the rocks near the foot of the towers. The male showed the white in its tail well at one point and then posed nicely for me.

Pied Wagtail - fanned tail

Pied Wagtail

There were a couple of Lapwing in the old caravan site, as usual. The tide was starting to come back in again slowly. As the sea wall was busy I decided to have a walk along the back of the oyster farm.

It proved to be very quiet. There were a couple of Lapwing calling from the field. Skylarks were singing away. I had a couple of Meadow Pipits and a pair of Mute Swan were on one of the lagoons with one of them giving a very nice view indeed. It looked stunning in the light. A few Redshank were dotted around and 35 Linnet were flying around then settling to feed. A Pheasant called and I disturbed a Peacock butterfly as I walked along the path, my first for the year. Unfortunately it did not want a photo taken as it flew strongly away. The Short-eared Owl was noticeable by its absence.

Mute Swan

The Belmond Pullman went past and I looked it up afterwards, and apparently the carriages are from the 1920's.

Belmond Pullman

I walked back to Reculver via the sea wall. There were a couple of Grey Plover and and 5 Turnstone. 2 Great Crested Grebes were off shore and 8 Ringed Plover flew west.

Overall it was very quiet. I had a Dunnock feeding along the wall and it was amazing the difference in colour between the photos taken in shade and the ones in sunshine. A Wren was feeding in the same area.

Dunnock

Dunnock

A little further along a Meadow Pipit posed briefly. They are pretty little birds.

Meadow Pipit

I was pleased when I saw the Short-eared Owl out hunting. It is always a really good way to end a visit here. I did not do well with the photos but I was pleased to get them. I really do love watching owls.

Short-eared Owl

Short-eared Owl

I headed for home and on the way saw 2 Shelduck offshore.

Birds I saw this visit included: Blackbird, House Sparrow, Starling, 2 Pied Wagtail, 4 Lapwing, 7 Redshank, 6 Mute Swan, 7 Meadow Pipit, 35 Linnet, 2 Corn Bunting, 3 Reed Bunting, 2 Pheasant, 2 Grey Plover, 5 Turnstone, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 8 Ringed Plover, 2 Dunnock, 1 Wren, 1 Short-eared Owl, 2 Shelduck.