A Black Redstart Treat - Reculver 11/03/19

I paid a brief visit to Reculver, after work, as though windy, it was a beautiful afternoon with some welcome sunshine. The tide was mostly in when I arrived and the sea quite rough. A few Black-headed Gulls and Herring Gulls were bobbing around on the water but otherwise it appeared quiet out to sea.

As it was a little more sheltered from the wind I had a walk along to the end of the path by the rocks. I could hear a couple of Pied Wagtails but could not see them. I saw a small bird pop up and was treated to some very nice views of an immature Black Redstart (109). It was into the sun initially but was very active and after moving briefly onto the rocks it moved back towards the concrete apron, which was where Chris Hindle had seen it yesterday, where it spent most of its time catching small insects and bugs. I thoroughly enjoyed watching it and it made a perfect end following a very busy day at work.

Black Redstart

Black Redstart

Black Redstart

Black Redstart

Black Redstart

Black Redstart

Black Redstart

I headed along the sea wall for a short way. The wind was a strong north north westerly which meant walking out was not so bad but not so much fun heading back. I could see a couple of Great Back-backed Gulls on the sea and 4 more flew west. I also saw 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull west and 1 Common Gull east. A single Gannet flew east, as did 3 Shelduck but otherwise the sea remained quiet.

There was a Cormorant on the beach drying its wings. I have not seen one on the shingle before and hope it was just resting up rather than unwell. In between looking round, it was preening and appeared alert and could certainly fly as it moved onto the rocks when a dog walker came along, before moving back to the beach when they had gone.

Cormorant

Cormorant

Cormorant

Cormorant

I only went a short way further, seeing 5 Redshank and 3 Short-eared Owls, 2 of which clashed again by the green bank while the 3rd appeared very briefly near the Oyster farm buildings. I was out of luck for photos today but was very pleased to see them.

It was time to head for home, as I had a meeting I needed to get to, but it had been an enjoyable time. There was quite a stuuning cloud formation over the wind farm.

Cloud formation

Birds seen this visit include: 2 Blackbird, 5 House Sparrows, 38 Starling, 1 Dunnock, 1 Black Redstart, 4 Reed Bunting, 5 Redshank, 5 Mallard, Black-headed Gulls, Herring Gulls, 5 Great Black-backed Gull, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 1 Common Gull, 1 Gannet east, 3 Shelduck east, 2 Stonechat, 2 Pied Wagtail, 8 Mute Swan, Carrion Crow, 1 Common Buzzard