Sand Martins, Sanderling and Shield Bugs - Reculver to Bishopstone 29/03/19

It was very foggy when I arrived at Reculver mid morning. I hoped that it might clear a bit but if anything it seemed to be getting thicker. I could see the towers when I first arrived, even if they were very misty, but within a short space of time even they disappeared completely into the fog as it seemed to close in more.

I decided to walk along the shore to Bishopstone as the tide was due to be going out further. A couple of Pied Wagtail called as they flew over. I heard Sand Martins (119) calling and 2 appeared above me before disappearing into the fog again. It is nice to think that they are back. I did not see any come down to the nest holes but I could hear them above me on several occasions as I walked along. When I had first arrived at Reculver I could still see blue sky above me through the mist, as the fog appeared to be thicker nearer the ground. So it may well be that the Sand Martins were hawking for insects in sunshine, above the fog.

As usual there were lots of crab cases dotted around in all sorts of sizes, from tiny to large. Presumably many of these are moulted shells.

Crab Shell

Visibility was variable as the fog swirled. I caught sight of a Ringed Plover that then disappeared back into the fog. A moment later a Meadow Pipit landed close to me but it was barely visible. I could hear a Curlew call.

Looking towards Reculver

I came across 8 Sanderling and although visibility was not good, it was good enough to be able to enjoy watching them. A group of waders suddenly alarm called loudly and flew past me sending the Sanderling up in alarm as well. The reason loomed out of the fog a moment later as a dog and his owner came through. The group of waders had included Turnstone and Ringed Plovers and a couple of Oystercatchers.

There were various size footprints in the sand and multiple indentations from bills. I liked the single line of these footprints.

Footprints

About halfway along towards Bishopstone the fog started to lift a little and then rapidly cleared which was very welcome. I came across another group of 9 Sanderling. Where the surface of any laying water was still it allowed for perfect reflections.

Sanderling

If the surface was ruffled then the reflections became broken but still beautiful.

Sanderling

Black shoulders appeared and disappeared on some of the birds, depending on their stance. This bird showed black on one side and none when it turned and showed its other side.

Sanderling

Many of the birds caught sizeable prey, some appeared to be catching small shrimp like creatures.

Sanderling

Carrion Crows reappeared on the shore as the fog cleared. The light really caught this birds feathers as it looked up at a passing gull. Another bird made its presence known with repeated calling. Both birds gave good views as they flew past having been flushed by another dog walker.

Carrion Crow

Carrion Crow

Carrion Crow

Several Herring Gulls were having a wash and brush up. Some of the birds were flying up, braking and moving into a short hover before diving down into the water. Their bodies would submerge as they hit the water but most of the area of their wings would remain above water.

Herring Gull

Herring Gull

I came across two things that I did not know what they were. I do not know if the first is a Tunicate or something different, perhaps a sponge or whether it is even natural. The second, I have no idea what it may be unless it is some kind of egg case. I even wondered about a tiny sea anemone that had withdrawn its tentacles. Hopefully at some point I will be able to find out what they are.

? Tunicate

? 

When I arrived at Bishopstone a Peacock butterfly was sunning itself at the foot of the cliffs and there was lots of Colt's-foot in flower.

Peacock Butterfly

Colt's-foot

The easterly wind was light but quite cool. In sheltered areas in the sun there were several Ladybirds and what I think is a Colletes succinctus or similar.

Ladybird

? Colletes succinctus

A large number of Shield bugs were on a sheltered Alexander plant. They appeared to be all the same type but the colour did appear to change depending on the light. I am not sure exactly which Shield Bug they are and I will need to look into it further.

Shield Bug

Shield Bug

The glen was quite quiet for birds but extremely busy with dog walkers. I could hear 2 Blackcap singing and saw one of them. A Goldcrest gave brief views. I enjoyed listening to a singing Mistle Thrush who also allowed a photo. Otherwise it was pretty much the usual birds.

Mistle Thrush

There was a profusion of Bee-flies with at least 12 seen throughout the visit. I love watching them and their forked proboscis is quite something.

Bee-fly

Bee-fly

I saw a Comma Butterfly and also another Peacock Butterfly. It was quite tattered but looked beautiful against the blossom.

Peacock Butterfly

I caught sight of a shape inside a bush and could see it was a Jay but initially, apart from an eye, I could not see much. Luckily for me it moved out a bit and I gradually ended up with a better view. It seemed content to just sit and look round, yawning widely at one point. I didn't dare move in case I disturbed it and enjoyed watching it until a dog walker came through and it disappeared back into the bush.

Jay

Jay

Jay

Good numbers of Dunnock were around with at least 14 seen and/or heard during my visit. I finished at the Coastguards and it was lovely sitting on the bench there surrounded by singing birds, each song beautiful in its own way. Rabbits were enjoying the sunshine on the slopes of the cliff.

Rabbit

Both Dunnock and Chaffinch looked lovely in the sunshine. I did not manage to get photos of them singing and could only manage quite distant photos but they make nice memory shots. I could hear Sand Martins calling and 2 shot overhead bringing the visit full circle.

Dunnock

Chaffinch

Birds seen this visit include: 2 Pied Wagtail, 5 Meadow Pipit, Skylarks, 17 Sanderling, 6 Ringed Plover, 9 Turnstone, 1 Curlew, Herring Gulls, Black-headed Gulls, 1 Great Black-backed Gull, 4 Sand Martin, Carrion Crow, 2 Mistle Thrush, 3 Song Thrush, 12 Linnet, 14 Dunnock, 5 Robin, 2 Blackcap, 2 Greenfinch, 1 Goldcrest, 2 Jay, Collared Doves, Woodpigeons, 15 Goldfinches, 4 Wren, Great Tits, Blue Tits, 3 Chiffchaff, Blackbirds, 1 Common Buzzard

Kittiwakes and a Red Kite - Reculver 25/03/19

There was a brisk north westerly wind at Reculver when I arrived late morning. The first birds I saw from the car park, as I arrived, were 15 Kittiwake (117) going west. They were fairly close in and I grabbed some photos. I had left the ISO on 800 by mistake so they are very noisy but I was very pleased to get them. That was a definite good start to the visit.

Kittiwakes

Kittiwakes

I tucked myself out of the wind, up at the towers, and enjoyed seeing what came past. Kittiwakes continued moving west in small groups, the smallest 4 and the largest 17. Within an hour and a half the movement had slowed to a trickle. I saw 103 in total and really enjoyed watching them. A lone bird flying west came closer in and allowed a better view.

Kittiwake

I also saw 12 Common Gull, 3 of which were tucked in with Kittiwake, the others in small flocks. 2 Red-throated Divers were going in the opposite direction and flew east. 1 Gannet and 1 Great Crested Grebe also flew east. A second winter Great Black-backed Gull gave good views as it flew west.

2nd winter Great Black-backed Gull

2nd winter Great Black-backed Gull

A breeding plummage Cormorant also flew closer than I normally see them.

Cormorant

The highlight though, without a doubt, was seeing a Red Kite (118) coming west and following the coast, at 11.38. It gave incredible views as it came past the towers, passing right over the top of me. What a stunning bird and I felt the luckiest person in the world to be standing there as it came past. I have never seen one that close before. What an absolutely beautiful bird.

Red Kite

Red Kite

Red Kite

As the sea had quietened right down I went for a walk along the sea wall. The tide was in and quite high. I came across a female Wheatear atop a bush together with a Stonechat,  a Meadow Pipit and a Reed Bunting. It was clearly a popular bush and they all appeared to be flycatching.

female Wheatear

I then caught sight of a male Wheatear and it allowed some great views. He was one handsome bird.

male Wheatear

male Wheatear

A female Stonechat was very active but paused briefly allowing a shot. I love watching them, they are full of character. She was one of 6 Stonechats that I saw today.

female Stonechat

With the tide being quite high I saw a good selection of waders roosting as I walked along. A Turnstone and a Ringed Plover allowed very good views, as they were roosting quite near to the wall.

Turnstone

Turnstone

I could see a pair of Shelduck on the oyster farm, and a little while later they flew past me and headed towards Coldharbour. A Little Egret flew briefly before dropping down onto another lagoon. Coldharbour appeared very quiet. The Shelduck pair were there as were 4 Redshank and a couple of Mallard but that was about it. Both an Oystercatcher and a Redshank, that were on the shore just before Coldharbour, gave very nice views and the chance to really appreciate their plumage.

Oystercatcher

Redshank and Turnstone

I did not fancy walking back to Reculver into the wind so I carried on along the sea wall. 10 Brent Geese were in one of the fields. I wonder when these will make a move. A Sanderling was tucked down and gave some very nice views.

Sanderling

Plumpudding Island had 8 Turnstone, 27 Redshank and a pair of Mute Swan. I had hoped that I may have caught up with my puzzle bird from yesterday but, though I checked the shore, Coldharbour and Plumpudding carefully, there was no sign of it. It would have been great to have been able to see it again.

I made my way slowly to Shuart and though, overall, it was now very quiet, it was a beautiful evening. I hoped very much to see a Barn Owl hunting but did not have any luck.

I came across 3 Mute Swan, 2 males and a female. The two males repeatedly clashed but the first male did not, while I was there, have any luck in driving the other male completely away. He would move away a little bit and then work his way back and the dispute would start again. The female seemed totally unconcerned and either preened or fed. Perhaps she was waiting to see who was the stronger of the two. It was a privilege to be able to watch them and it made a great end to the visit.

Mute Swan

Mute Swan

Mute Swan

Mute Swan

Mute Swan

Mute Swan

Mute Swan

Mute Swan

 Birds seen this visit include:103 Kittiwake, 7 Common Gull, 1 Gannet, 1 Red Kite, Black-headed Gull, 12 Great Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, immature male Eider, 2 Red-throated Diver, 2 Pied Wagtail, House Sparrows, 10 Brent Geese, 25 Meadow Pipit, 6 Stonechat, 2 Wheatear, 10 Mallard, 2 Dunnock, 6 Robin, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 18 Corn Bunting, 20 Ringed Plover, 58 Turnstone, 6 Curlew, 80 Oystercatcher, 47 Sanderling, 34 Redshank, 1 Grey Plover, 2 Shelduck, 10 Mute Swan, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 4 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Green Woodpecker, 3 Pheasant, 3 Wren, 8 Linnet, Carrion Crow, 2 Magpie, 7 Chiffchaff, 2 Goldfinch, Woodpigeons, 1 Little Egret, Chaffinches, 2 Greenfinches.