It is amazing the difference a day can make. From very light winds yesterday Reculver greeted me today with strong south south westerly winds that became steadily stronger as my visit went on. At least, however, I had the wind behind me. A Chiffchaff was calling from the scrub near the towers and a Pied Wagtail was sheltered from the worst of the wind as it hunted for insects on the concrete apron. There really wasn't enough light for a photo but I liked the curving shape a flock of Brent Geese made as they came past and it was worth a memory shot if nothing else.
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| Brent Geese |
An adult Gannet was fishing offshore as I made my way along the sea wall but otherwise the sea remained very quiet. A Grey Plover was in almost the same spot that I saw it yesterday and 2 Shelduck flew over the oyster farm.
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| Grey Plover |
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| Shelduck |
A couple of Redshank alarmed called as they flew up from the oyster farm but I could not see what had disturbed them. 28 Ringed Plover were roosting on the shore with 7 Dunlin. Turnstone were working their way along the tide line and a couple of Sanderling flew east.
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| Ringed Plover |
As I neared Coldharbour a couple of bird watchers, Ray O'Reilly and Peter, unfortunately I do not know his surname, waved me over and said they were watching a couple of Lapland Buntings. It was lovely to get closer views than yesterday and though they would move back to the fields across the sea wall it was never long before they flew back in again. The male in particular came closer than I have ever seen one before and I spent a very happy time admiring a beautiful bird. It was actively feeding for much of that time and was a little beauty. To say it made my day would be putting it mildly.
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| male Lapland Bunting |
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| male Lapland Bunting |
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| male Lapland Bunting |
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| male Lapland Bunting |
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| male Lapland Bunting |
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| male Lapland Bunting |
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| male Lapland Bunting |
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| male Lapland Bunting |
Well chuffed I carried on and could see 65 Mallard and 2 Wigeon on the sea while on Coldharbour the sole occupants were a Little Egret, 4 Redshank and a few Black-headed Gulls. As I carried on towards Plumpudding 8 Mallard flew past and as I turned to follow them the sky looked stunning as for a brief period blue sky had appeared.
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| Mallards |
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| Looking towards Reculver |
Plumpudding Island was very quiet with just 5 roosting Redshank. 8 Mallard were bobbing about on the sea and as I neared the turn off for the stables a Cormorant was showing its breeding patch well. The marker poles prove to be very popular and it wasn't long before it was ousted by another Cormorant.
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| Mallards |
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| Cormorant |
Corn Buntings were calling as I neared the stables and a Meadow Pipit was busy looking for insects at the side of the path.
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| Meadow Pipit |
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| Meadow Pipit |
6 Pied Wagtail were around the stable area. As a male tried to keep its balance as it perched on some wire it showed its white outer tail feathers well. The manure heap was proving, once again, to be an attractive place to look for insects.
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| male Pied Wagtail |
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| male Pied Wagtail |
3 Little Egrets were in one of the horse paddocks, gathered at the tip of a large puddle in the field. Every now and then they would stir to pick insects from the waters surface before once again hunkering down against the wind.
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| Little Egrets |
It was a quiet walk through to Shuart but I was pleased to catch up with a Mistle Thrush (88). I did well for birds of prey seeing Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, Marsh Harrier and Common Buzzard all on the way back. I was pleased to reach the pick up point but I had enjoyed my day. It is the last full day off I have got until next week so it was good to be able to try and make the most of it today. Without a doubt the highlight had been watching the Lapland Buntings and I am grateful to Ray and Peter for waving me over.
Birds seen this visit include: House Sparrows, Starlings, Wood Pigeons, 1 Wren, 1 Robin, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Pied Wagtail, Cormorants, 1 Gannet east, Brent Geese, 1 Grey Plover, 9 Turnstone, 9 Redshank, Black-headed Gulls, Herring Gulls, 2 Shelduck, 3 Great Black-backed Gull, 28 Ringed Plover, 7 Dunlin, 4 Stonechat, 12 Meadow Pipit, 5 Mute Swan, 2 Lapland Bunting, 4 Little Egret, 65 Mallard, 2 Wigeon, 12 Corn Bunting, 2 Chaffinch, 2 Kestrel, 1 Mistle Thrush, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Goldcrest, Blue Tits, Great Tits, 2 Song Thrush, 12 Blackbird, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Common Buzzard
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