I headed to Shuart late morning and on arrival it seemed to be fairly quiet with only a couple of Robins in dispute and a single Chiffchaff calling. However, further along the hedgerow was alive with Chiffchaff calls and there were at least 30 calling away or actively feeding as I made my way along. I am sure that there were more than I managed to count. A single Willow Warbler was among them but the highlight, without a doubt, was a Common Redstart that another birder had seen just before I arrived. It was occasionally flicking between opposite sides of the hedgerow before quickly disappearing into cover. I hoped it might perch at some point but unfortunately it remained skulky and mobile. Still, it gave lovely, if brief, views of its tail as it flicked across and with the sun shining through its tail feathers as it fanned them it was a joy to see and made my day.
I could not see anything new in at the stables but I enjoyed watching the antics of a couple of Pied and Yellow Wagtails in the horse paddocks. As I came up onto the sea wall 12 Gannet were flying east a fair way out. There was a breezy north easterly and the tide was almost in.
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| Gannets |
Black-headed Gulls were strung out along the wave line that was breaking onto the shore. As some moved along to new sections others dropped in to take their place.
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| Black-headed Gulls |
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| Black-headed Gulls |
A small mix of waders was along the shoreline in places and I enjoyed trying for some flight photos of some passing Sanderling as they flew into the wind.
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| Sanderling |
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| Sanderling |
As I neared Plumpudding Island a Common Gull was on the shore. I could see an approaching dog walker and as they got closer the Common Gull lifted off giving good views of its lower and upperwings as it did so.
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| Common Gull |
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| Common Gull |
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| Common Gull and Black-headed Gull |
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| Common Gull and Black-headed Gulls |
Plumpudding Island was quiet apart from a a couple of Wood Pigeons and Pied Wagtails and a few Linnet at the back. 12 Sandwich flew up briefly before settling back down again, presumably from the roost on the beach behind Plumpudding. I glanced up from watching the antics of the Linnets to see 4 Brent Geese flying east, my first for the autumn. I could not manage much of a photo but was pleased to see them.
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| Brent Geese |
On the way to Coldharbour a first winter Herring Gull gave a chance to try for some more flight photos as it flew into the wind.
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| 1st winter Herring Gull |
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| 1st winter Herring Gull |
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| 1st winter Herring Gull |
5 Redshank were roosting on Coldharbour with a couple of Dunlin and a couple of Black-headed Gulls were bobbing around on the water. A Bar-tailed Godwit appeared above the shingle bank briefly before disappearing from sight so I do not know if it was flying past or had lifted off from the roost at the back of Coldharbour. 3 Chiffchaff were calling from the bushes on the other side of the sea wall. I had a seat on the sea wall for a while so I could watch out to sea. A single distant Gannet flew east and an approaching Whimbrel looked as if it was going to come past quite close, but at the last minute veered off as it appeared to suddenly see the family that was on the shore. It flew a little further out to sea before turning and continuing east.
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| Whimbrel |
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| Whimbrel |
A Ringed Plover gave a good view of its underwing as it came past and a Black-headed Gull appeared to slow in the gusty wind before picking up speed again.
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| Ringed Plover |
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| Black-headed Gull |
A beautiful adult Mediterranean Gull flew east. They really are gorgeous gulls in all plumages and I love watching them. It looked really striking against the blue sky.
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| adult Mediterranean Gull |
107 Sanderling were roosting behind a shingle ridge as I made my way towards Reculver together with 18 Dunlin, which is the largest number of Dunlin I have seen in the roost together this autumn, 34 Turnstone, 25 Ringed Plover and 2 Knot. I saw several more Stonechat, one of which was repeatedly hassled by a Reed Bunting.
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| Dunlin, Sanderling and Turnstone |
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| Knot |
Further along another 58 Ringed Plover were roosting and 4 Knot flew east. My second Wheatear of the day was much more obliging for photos than my first and it treated me to some great views as it foraged amongst the shingle and vegetation.
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| Wheatear |
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| Wheatear |
I finished an enjoyable visit with a 1st winter Mediterranean Gull heading east, a fair way out to sea.
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| 1st winter Mediterranean Gull |
Birds seen this visit included: 6 Robin, 37 Chiffchaff, Wood Pigeons, 2 Moorhen, Blue Tits, Great Tits, 1 Blackbird, 5 Chaffinch, 1 Common Redstart, 1 Sparrowhawk, 19 Goldfinch, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Blackcap, 2 Yellow Wagtail, Starlings, 2 Pied Wagtail, 2 Kestrel, Black-headed Gulls, Herring Gulls, 2 Great Black-backed Gull, 12 Gannet, 139 Sanderling, 44 Turnstone, 3 Oystercatcher, 91 Ringed Plover, 17 Sandwich Tern, 38 Linnet, 7 Stonechat, 5 Reed Bunting, 3 Common Gull, 5 Redshank, 22 Dunlin, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 3 Little Egret, 2 Wheatear, 6 Knot, 7 Meadow Pipit, 2 Dunnock,
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