I paid a visit to Reculver in the morning. There was a north north westerly wind and the tide was on its way in. It was cloudy when I arrived but the cloud was clearing and there was plenty of blue sky behind me as I headed for the sea wall. A few Herring and Black-headed Gulls were heading west in dribs and drabs. Apart from them the first birds that I saw were a pair of Wigeon heading west and 2 Mute Swan flying in over the sea from the north. 5 Sand Martin were hawking for insects.
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| Wigeon |
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| Mute Swan |
As I headed along 4 Oystercatcher headed east. 4 Goldfinches were feeding on the Teasels and 12 Turnstone flew in and landed on the rocks. I only managed a photo of the tail end of them as they came in to land but it makes a good memory shot. I had hoped that perhaps the northerly wind would result in some birds moving past out to sea but all appeared quiet.
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| Turnstone |
There appeared to be a brief, small movement of Carrion Crows west and I had 25 in total with the biggest group being 10.
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| Carrion Crows |
I could hear a Whimbrel call and one flew over the oyster farm and circled before settling down out of sight. I also had a Greenshank call and fly up from the oyster farm before settling back down again. Meadow Pipits were moving from the sea wall to the shore and back again. A Great Black-backed Gull flew west as did a Little Egret.
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| Whimbrel |
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| Greenshank |
A flock of 12 Reed Buntings were atop one of the bushes and chasing off any other bird that landed. Linnets were chattering away as they moved along the shore. A Great Black-backed Gull flew west and 3 Grey Herons were on the oyster farm. A Yellow Wagtail was working its way along the shore and showed the white edges to its tail feathers well as it moved along.
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| immature Yellow Wagtail |
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| Yellow Wagtail |
While having a seat near the green bank I got some very nice views of a Wheatear on the shore and also one of the Meadow Pipits. Corn Buntings were in the bushes bordering the oyster farm.
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| Wheatear |
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| Meadow Pipit |
I carried on down to Coldharbour. A few more Wheatear were dotted around the shore on the way. The Little Grebe was still on Coldharbour and 4 Mallard were tucked into one of the banks. A Common Sandpiper was over at the back and a few Black-headed Gulls bobbed around on the water. A Kestrel sent up a flock of 34 Linnet as it flew over the shingle bank.
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| Mallard |
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| Kestrel |
I started to head in the direction of Chambers Wall and as I came to the first bushes a few birds were making their way through them with Great Tit, Linnet, Goldfinch, Reed Warbler, and a obliging Sedge Warbler were all represented.
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| Sedge Warbler |
A Cetti's Warbler was singing away as I crossed the railway line and a Hobby was high up hawking for insects. As it was still very quiet for birds I had a look to see what I could see in the dragonfly line. A Squash Bug was sunning itself.
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| Squash Bug |
I came across a Migrant hawker that was repeatedly returning to the same area and then hovering and I took the opportunity to try for some flight shots. Many ended up out of focus or else the Hawker was disappearing out of the frame but I ended up with some that I am pleased with and it was great fun trying for them and hopefully in time I will get a bit better at it. I will really miss insects and dragonflies when the season comes to an end.
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| Migrant Hawker |
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| Migrant Hawker |
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| Migrant Hawker |
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| Migrant Hawker |
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| Migrant Hawker |
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| Migrant Hawker |
I came across a spectacular female Dark Bush-cricket.
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| Dark Bush-cricket |
I finished off an enjoyable, if fairly quiet visit with 4 Common Buzzards thermalling together and a smart Red Admiral and a very worn Painted Lady Butterfly. The ivy flowers had also attracted a cloud of hoverflies and wasps.
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| Red Admiral Butterfly |
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| Painted Lady Butterfly |
Birds seen this visit include: 5 Sand Martin, 2 Wigeon west, 3 Mute Swan, 7 Oystercatcher, 14 Swallow west, 21 Turnstone, 11 Goldfinch, 3 Redshank, 20 Meadow Pipit, Wood Pigeons, 109 Linnet, 25 Carrion Crow west, 19 Reed Bunting, 1 Whimbrel, 1 Greenshank, 1 Great Black-backed Gull, 1 Stonechat, 4 Wheatear, 1 Little Egret, 3 Grey Heron, 10 Corn Bunting, 3 Yellow Wagtail, 28 Mallard, 6 Coot, 7 Chiffchaff, 5 Great Tit, 7 Blue Tit, 2 Whitethroat, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Sedge Warbler, 2 Skylark, 2 Hobby, 2 Blackbird, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Magpie, 1 Curlew, House Sparrows, 4 Common Buzzards,
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