Chiffchaff, Whimbrel, and Snipe - Chambers Wall to Reculver 15/09/19

It was a beautifully fine late afternoon when I finished work so I thought I would have a wander from Chambers Wall to Coldharbour and then see where I went from there. It was very warm with a light wind. A Kestrel was hovering as I walked up the road and a Common Buzzard was perched atop a bush before lifting off and climbing slowly as it spiralled round. The hedgerow was very quiet with just a small flock of 25 House Sparrows moving from the hedge to the field and back again, and a single Chiffchaff flycatching.

Common Buzzard

Chiffchaff

The car park area was very quiet. I had another Chiffchaff and a Painted Lady butterfly was feeding on the ivy flowers. A Green Woodpecker called and a Robin was tic-ing away but nothing else was stirring.

Painted Lady Butterfly

The walk down to the railway crossing remained quiet. I picked up another couple of Chiffchaff and a Blackcap and then as I walked down to Coldharbour a Lesser Whitethroat and a Blackcap were in a Blackberry bush and 5 Goldfinches were enjoying the teasels. A somewhat distant Whinchat was nice to see. While watching the Whinchat a Stonechat flew in but was against the light so I have not managed much of a photo but it makes a good memory shot of a little bird full of character.

Whinchat

Stonechat

A couple of Mute Swan were on the river as were 4 Coot. One of the Mute Swan had strands of pond weed hanging which glowed as the light shone through them.

Mute Swan

As I came to the junction with the sea wall a couple of Chiffchaff were amongst the seed heads and one of them gave some very nice views as it moved from head to head looking for insects. I thoroughly enjoyed watching them.

Chiffchaff

Chiffchaff

Chiffchaff

Chiffchaff

Chiffchaff

Coldharbour was quiet with a single Redshank roosting and throwing a perfect half reflection. I do not think I have seen one sitting down before. A few Black-headed Gulls were on the water and also throwing perfect reflections.

Redshank

Black-headed Gull

I walked along, seeing another couple of Chiffchaff, and had a sit on the sea wall for a while. The light was beautiful with an almost mirror calm blue sea. After a busy day it was great to just sit and have the time to enjoy such a beautiful afternoon. An Oystercatcher flew past, its reflection broken only by the gentlest of ripples. I could see 45 Mallard on the sea well to the left of me but gradually they drifted closer and then came past me.

Oystercatcher

Mallards

Mallards

As time was getting on I decided against trying to get to Shuart but instead decided to aim for Reculver and headed back that way. As I came back past Coldharbour the Little Grebe, I have seen there before, was out from cover and diving frequently. A Common Sandpiper gave some good views as it worked its way along one of the edges.

Little Grebe

Common Sandpiper

I could hear Whimbrel calling and had 6 fly in from the north. They came closer and closer and for a moment I thought they were going to come into land on Coldharbour itself but they came down behind the shingle bank instead. A short while later they were disturbed by a dog walker and flew first east before turning north and flying out to sea again.

Whimbrel

Whimbrel

A small flock of House Sparrows were back to enjoying the blackberries. I tried for some more photos of the Black-headed Gulls with their reflections before starting to make my way to Reculver.

House Sparrow

Black-headed Gull

Black-headed Gull

As I made my way back a large number of insects were on the wing and attracting the attention of both Black-headed and Herring Gulls who were hawking for them high above me. There were also large numbers of Migrant Hawkers taking advantage of the glut and I saw 58 hawking for insects in just one small area and there were further good numbers on my walk back with easily over 100 seen.

Migrant Hawkers

Migrant Hawkers

3 Little Egrets were feeding in the shallows and when one flew its yellow feet appeared very bright in the light.

Little Egret

I had four Wheatear in one area on one of the scrubby areas of shingle and 3 Yellow Wagtail were along the shore. I thoroughly enjoy watching Wheatear and one was very obliging for photos. The Yellow Wagtails looked stunning in the early evening light.

Wheatear

Wheatear

While watching the Wheatear I heard a Snipe call as it went up over the oyster farm and I tried for a quick photo before it settled back down onto the oyster farm again.

Snipe

There was a short pulse of 80 Swallows and 18 House Martin moving west in a group and for a few moments I was surrounded by them as they flew low to the left, right, and above me, twisting and turning to pluck mouthful's of insects from the air as they went. More Yellow Wagtail were along the shore, as well as a couple more Wheatear and also Turnstone and Ringed Plover. Good numbers of Redshank were along the shoreline. A Greenshank called from the oyster farm and another Chiffchaff. I was losing the light rapidly as the sun set but was treated to a beautiful sunset with the clouds aflame with colour. As I approached Reculver I could hear 2 Little Owls calling and could see one in its usual spot. It made a very nice finish to an enjoyable afternoon.

Birds seen this visit include: 2 Kestrel, 1 Common Buzzard, Wood Pigeons, 25 House Sparrows, 9 Chiffchaff, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Robin, 2 Magpie, 1 Pheasant, 2 Blackcap, 5 Coot, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 19 Goldfinch, 1 Whinchat, 2 Stonechat, Black-headed Gulls, Herring Gulls, 1 Great Black-backed Gull, 4 Oystercatcher, 45 Mallard, 1 Little Grebe, 1 Common Sandpiper, 6 Whimbrel, 2 Long-tailed Tit, 8 Meadow Pipit, 7 Little Egret, 38 Linnet, 6 Wheatear, 12 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Snipe, 80 Swallow, 18 House Martin, 2 Ringed Plover, 8 Turnstone, 6 Corn Bunting, 19 Redshank, 1 Greenshank, 3 Grey Heron, 1 Reed Bunting, 2 Little Owl,