I caught sight of a female Wheatear on rocks on the beach, a little way ahead of me who, unfortunately, was then disturbed by dog walkers and disappeared from view. I could not manage to pick her up again but was pleased I had managed to get a photo, even if a little distant.
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| female Wheatear |
Out to sea was quiet but throughout the visit I did see 12 Teal in groups of 2, 2 and 8. The immature male Eider was much further out today and small groups of Mallard were also on the sea. 2 of the above Teal were tucked in the middle of 4 Mallard. A pair of Oystercatchers were resting on the rocks, both on one leg, presumably to help reduce heat loss.
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| Oystercatchers |
A Ringed Plover was displaying by repeatedly flying back and fore over the beach and out to sea. It must expend a large amount of energy doing it.
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| Ringed Plover |
4 Shelduck came into land on the oyster farm and a female Mute Swan was with a couple of immature Mute Swan. A male Shoveler was feeding on his own and I wondered if a female is on a nest, or if he is a lone bird.
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| Shelduck |
A skulky Chiffchaff was in the bushes near the green bank and a male Dunnock was once again singing his heart out. Corn Bunting song also filled the air and at one point a flock of 38 went up before settling back down again.
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| Chiffchaff |
28 Turnstone were roosting together on some rocks.
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| Turnstones |
I could see a small group of 6 Great Crested Grebe out to sea and two of them started to display to each other. They were pretty distant but I tried for some photos, which though they have not come out very well, do show the raised crests on the birds well and make a nice memory shot. The display is beautiful to watch. They did not display for long before returning to feeding.
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| Great Crested Grebes displaying |
Coldharbour itself was very quiet. A couple of Little Egret were roosting and 5 Black-headed Gulls were roosting on the shingle bank. There was a female Wheatear also on the shingle bank but unfortunately, once again, all the birds were flushed by a dog walker.
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| female Wheatear |
The walk to Chambers wall was very quiet. A male Reed Bunting watched me as I passed and then burst into song when I was a little way away.
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| Reed Bunting |
Each Alexander plant I passed had loads of Yellow Dung flies on it. There must have been hundreds between the various plants.
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| Yellow Dung Fly |
As I crossed the railway line a military helicopter flew past. I don't know what type it is. I was trying to cross the stile as it flew past, hence the rather blurry photo.
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| Military Helicopter |
A Cetti's Warbler was singing away and I added several more Chiffchaff on the walk up. Once again one of them appeared to have something black coating the feathers at the base of its bill.
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| Chiffchaff |
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| Chiffchaff |
I had enjoyed my time out and it was good to have caught up with another couple of Wheatear.
Birds seen this visit include: 12 House Sparrow, 2 Blackbird, Turnstone, Ringed Plover, 8 Redshank, 2 Little Egret, 2 Teal, 4 Shelduck, 2 female Wheatear, 18 Mallard, 3 Mute Swan, 4 Gannet east, 10 Chiffchaff, 2 Reed Bunting, 3 Dunnock, 2 Stonechat, Immature male Eider, 1 male Shoveler, 38 Corn Bunting, 3 Pheasant, 8 Oystercatcher, 6 Great Crested Grebe, 1 male Marsh Harrier, 2 Robin, Skylarks, 4 Magpie, Carrion Crows, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Song Thrush, Cormorants, 7 Goldfinch, 12 Linnet, 2 Great Tit, 4 Blue Tit, 400 Woodpigeons
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