Shearwater, Petrel and Eider - Reculver 28/09/18

I was able to have a bonus visit to Reculver this afternoon as work finished early. There was a strong northerly wind and though the tide was in it was on the turn. It was nice in the sunshine but cold and there was a lot of spray off the sea. I was hoping for some passing sea birds but it remained very quiet throughout my time there. I was very lucky though as I had a single Manx Shearwater east and a single Leach’s Petrel east. I was not able to get a photo of the Shearwater but I did manage a poor one of the Leach’s Petrel and I was really pleased to be able to get it.

Leach's Petrel

It was very quiet also for little birds and most things seemed to be keeping their heads down. I saw 5 Stonechat in all. They are lovely little birds.

Stonechat

I sat for a while once I reached Coldharbour but apart from loads of Black-headed and Herring Gulls it was very quiet. I managed to get a little out of the wind and it was nice sitting there. I had hoped to see the Snow Bunting but I did not manage to find it. I headed back and managed to add a Wheatear and a Winchat which was great. There were 110 Linnet bouncing around and I also saw 8 Meadow Pipit with one posing nicely at Coldharbour. 

Meadow Pipit

On the oyster farm I saw a Short-eared Owl sheltering behind a post. I kept my eyes open in case it flew at any point but it stayed put.

Short-eared Owl

I had an immature Mute Swan fly past and it gave very nice views, if distant views. They are beautifully marked.

immature Mute Swan

As I was nearing Reculver I saw some duck flying past going west and I tried for some photos. Between not being able to keep the camera steady in the wind and then losing my balance I only managed some very blurred photos and never got to look at them properly though binoculars. I have had a look through the books since I got home and I think that they must be Eider, 6 female and 2 immature male. I have sent the photo’s to Chris Hindle and asked him to have a look as I must admit I am not sure. I am trying the camera on its lowest setting to give me more magnification but distant birds are pretty unclear at the best of times and I may need to rethink what I am doing. It is such a long time since I have done any sea watching that I am very very rusty.

Eider

Eider

I had a lovely afternoon even if it was very cold and windy. The sunshine certainly helped to make it better and I felt so lucky to have seen the Shearwater and Petrel.

Birds I saw included: 1 Manx Shearwater, 1 Leach’s Petrel, 8 Eider west, 5 Stonechat, 1 Whinchat, 1 Wheatear, 4 Mute Swan, 8 Meadow Pipit, 110 Linnet, 28 Ringed Plover, 8 Turnstone, 1 Dunlin, 2 Sanderling, 5 Little Egret, 1 Short-eared Owl.