I had a very slow wander through today, as walking was a little more problematic than expected, but that at least gave lots of time to sit and watch on a beautiful spring day. There was wall to wall sunshine with a light north westerly wind.
As I arrived I saw a Brimstone butterfly and also a Comma. Both were only fleeting views, and no chance of a photo, but I was pleased to see them. I have not seen a Brimstone for a long time. I could hear a pair of Ring-necked Parakeets and could see that they were checking out a possible nesting hole.
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| Ring-necked Parakeets |
A male Blackcap (116) was singing away and gave brief views before moving to a perch out of sight. I enjoyed the chance to listen to his song. A couple of Chiffchaff were also singing, as were most of the usual little jobs. It was a fairly quiet walk through but I did have a male Marsh Harrier give some very good views. They are very handsome birds.
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| Marsh Harrier |
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| Marsh Harrier |
I had a look in the dyke again and the water was beautifully clear today. A Common Newt was on the bottom. I also saw several Water Boatman, in much better light than last time, and what I think is a Stickleback.
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| Common Newt |
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| Water Boatman |
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| ? Stickleback |
A White-tailed Bumblebee was looking for necter on the embankment.
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| White-tailed Bumblebee |
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| White-tailed Bumblebee |
The stable area was quiet apart from a pair of Pied Wagtail, 3 Meadow Pipits, House Sparrows, Starlings and Linnets. One of the Linnets allowed a photo but otherwise everything was very camera shy today.
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| Linnet |
The sea was very calm and very quiet.The flock of Common Scoter was out to sea, as were Herring and Great Black-backed Gulls and 3 Great Crested Grebe. 27 Redshank and a pair of Mute Swan were on Plumpudding but otherwise it was quiet. I liked the reflections with one of the Redshank.
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| Redshank |
A couple of White Dove were on the shore and were obviously used to humans as they fed happily despite the sea wall being packed with people, dog walkers and cyclists.
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| White Doves |
A pair of Carrion Crow were on the shore. One of birds had a mostly pale bill which also showed well in flight. It was hard to know if it was coated in mud or sand or actually that colour.
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| Carrion Crow |
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| Carrion Crow |
Coldharbour was also quiet with just 2 Shelduck and 4 Redshanks. The male was displaying but the female did not appear to be taking any notice and just continued feeding.
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| male and female Shelduck |
80 Turnstone and 1 Sanderling were packed onto one of the groynes.
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| Turnstone |
A Meadow Pipit had a wash and brush up in one of the puddles on the track and then sat calling away before having a wing stretch. They are pretty birds.
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| Meadow Pipit |
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| Meadow Pipit |
Two immature Mute Swan were drifting west out to sea before flying in and settling down onto the oyster farm. I liked their reflections in the sea.
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| Mute Swans |
An Oystercatcher was flying back and fore calling and appeared to be aiming his display to the pair of Oystercatcher on the shore. As he flew past the light shone through the white in his wings.
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| Oystercatcher |
3 pairs of Stonechat were a various points. I enjoyed watching a smart male Reed Bunting feeding near the wall.
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| Reed Bunting |
As I neared the towers 3 waders flew past, 2 Ringed Plover and a smaller bird. I tried for some photos but they were into the light and they have come out very badly. The only thing they do show well is how small the bird was. I have been through every wader I can think of and because of its size I wondered about Stint because I could not think of another wader that would be small enough. But is that even likely at this time of year and, looking at the photo's again, I think the bill is too long for one. So I am jolly puzzled. Could the small size have been an illusion with the birds against the light? Have I mis-identified the Ringed Plovers? Is it a Dunlin in disguise, which perhaps is more likely? The only thing I do know is that I really haven't got the experience with waders, at the moment, to know what the bird is. But perhaps in time I will look back at these and have a better idea what I saw, or at least what it definitely isn't. But it made an interesting end to the visit. I have enjoyed trying to work the puzzle out, even if I really haven't made any progress at present.
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| Ringed Plovers and a puzzle bird |
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| Ringed Plovers and a puzzle bird |
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| Ringed Plovers and a puzzle bird |
I was pleased to reach Reculver but it had been an enjoyable day. It has been so nice to be on holiday and have time for birding when I want.
Birds seen this visit include: 3 Ring-necked Parakeet, 4 Chiffchaff, 1 male Blackcap, Chaffinch, Great Tit, Blue Tit, 5 Dunnock, 8 Robin, 2 Green Woodpecker, Woodpigeon, 8 Goldfinch, 4 Greenfinch, 1 Moorhen, 2 Pheasant, 2 Common Buzzard, 3 Wren, 2 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 male Marsh Harrier, 6 Blackbird, 15 Mute Swan, 32 Meadow Pipits, 6 Reed Bunting, 15 Linnet, 9 Curlew, 78 Sanderling, 98 Oystercatcher, 3 Great Crested Grebe, 20 House Sparrow, 25 Starling, 48 Common Scoter, 4 Pied Wagtail, 39 Redshank, 9 Brent Geese, Skylarks, 2 Shelduck, 12 Corn Bunting, 2 Coot, 1 Grey Heron, 5 Ringed Plover, 6 Stonechat, 8 Mallard, 1 male Shoveler, 2 Little Egret
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