On the way to Shuart this morning I was treated to some nice views of 15 Red-legged Partridge that were feeding in a field adjacent to the road. They gradually worked their way along and didn't seem too concerned by the little traffic that was passing by.
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| Red-legged Partridge |
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| Red-legged Partridge |
A Green Woodpecker was calling loudly and a Jay alarm called at the beginning of the track. Robins were busy and a Wren scolded as I passed by. There was a fair bit of disturbance along the track with tractors coming back and fore to where the Sweetcorn was being harvested from further down. I caught sight of a skulky Pied Flycatcher up in one of the trees. It paused briefly in a gap between the leaves giving a tantalising view before a tractor and trailer thundered past and it was gone. I couldn't manage to pick it up again but it had been great to see, even if only briefly.
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| Pied Flycatcher |
Robins were tick-ing away and numbers continue to increase. Once again good numbers of Chiffchaff were in the Hedgerow. 3 Greenfinch were vocal from the back of the hedge. As I came to the end of the hedgerow I could see a mixed flock of duck flying south west high in the distance with 23 Mallard, 20 Teal and 19 Wigeon amongst them.
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| Mallard, Teal and Wigeon |
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| Mallard, Teal and Wigeon |
There was a very welcome sight awaiting me at the stables with a Black Redstart on one of the fences. It took grave exception to any Yellow Wagtail that it saw, immediately chasing it off before either returning to the fence or to the ground in the paddock. Strangely enough it seemed to tolerate the Pied Wagtail's presence but time and again chased any of the 3 Yellow Wagtail present that it spotted. It remained fairly distant but I thoroughly enjoyed watching it. I tried to get some photos as it flew but did not do very well. With one its head disappeared behind the only bit of vegetation sticking up, either side of clear fence wire, ah well, and in the other I only just managed to get it in shot and not particularly in focus but I love the light through its wings and seeing the colour in its tail so, for me, both make great memory shots of a time spent watching a beautiful and feisty bird full of character.
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| Black Redstart |
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| Black Redstart |
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| Black Redstart |
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| Black Redstart |
I back-tracked from the stables and had a wander along the embankment towards Chambers Wall. There appeared to be fewer Chiffchaff than at Shuart but throughout the length of the embankment I still saw good numbers. 2 Yellowhammer flew west and a Hobby was eating prey in one of the fields before taking to the air again.
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| Hobby |
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| Hobby |
A few Common Blue butterflies were on the wing, several Whites and a Peacock and a couple of Red Admiral. Both Migrant Hawkers and Ruddy Darter were also on the wing. 2 Sand Martin came through amongst a small flock of 5 Swallows. 4 more Cetti's Warbler were vocal as I made my way along. I came off at Chambers Wall hoping for a Flycatcher or Redstart but I could not manage to find any. Chiffchaff were calling away here and there but overall it was surprisingly quiet. I headed along to Coldharbour and a single Wigeon was on the water near to 12 Mallard.
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| Wigeon |
I sat and watched out to sea for a while but it was very quiet today. A Cormorant flying in was clearly going to make a take over bid for the top of the marker pole and, despite defensive posturing from the sitting bird, it successfully ousted the defender.
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| Cormorants |
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| Cormorants |
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| Cormorants |
A passing 1st winter Black-headed Gull gave good views of its wing pattern and small numbers of Sandwich Tern were flying east.
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| 1st winter Black-headed Gull |
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| Sandwich Tern |
I carried on towards Reculver and enjoyed watching the roosting waders sheltering from the north easterly wind along a shingle ridge. There were less Dunlin today, I saw 9 altogether and I did not see any Knot. 53 Sanderling, 52 Ringed Plover and 22 Turnstone were all tucked down behind the ridge. High above me 5 Common Tern flew east.
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| Common Tern |
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| Common Tern |
A little further along a very smart adult Sandwich Tern was resting on a shingle ridge close to the sea wall and gave some great views in the sunshine.
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| Sandwich Tern |
A juvenile Common Gull moulting into first winter plumage did not get long to rest before it was disturbed by walkers on the beach but was a beautifully plumaged bird. It did not move far and came down just off shore.
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| juvenile moulting to 1st winter Common Gull |
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| juvenile moulting to 1st winter Common Gull |
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| juvenile moulting to 1st winter Common Gull |
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| juvenile moulting to 1st winter Common Gull |
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| juvenile moulting to 1st winter Common Gull |
I had another Common Gull fly east that I think is a first winter. I still find aging gulls difficult but enjoy trying to work it out and, in time, will be able to tell which this is. It had a much cleaner underwing than the juvenile.
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| 1st winter Common Gull |
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| 1st winter Common Gull |
A couple of Wheatear were mobile but one paused obligingly as it moved along the beach and made a nice end to the visit.
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| Wheatear |
Birds seen this visit included: 15 Red-legged Partridge, 2 Green Woodpecker, Wood Pigeons, Blue Tits, Great Tits, 5 Wren, 13 Robin, 62 Chiffchaff, 3 Jay, Jackdaws, 1 Pied Flycatcher, 2 Moorhen, 1 Song Thrush, 2 Blackcap, 6 Magpie, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 7 Cetti's Warbler, 8 Chaffinch, 3 Greenfinch, 2 Grey Heron, 33 Mallard, 20 Teal, 19 Wigeon, 2 Linnet, 1 Black Redstart, 3 Yellow Wagtail, 4 Pied Wagtail, 6 Blackbird, 14 Goldfinch, 5 Blackbird, 17 Swallow, 3 Corn Bunting, 2 Reed Bunting, 2 Collared Dove, 4 Dunnock, 2 Mute Swan, 1 Hobby, 3 Kestrel, 2 Yellowhammer, 2 Sand Martin, 4 Blackcap, 2 Whitethroat, 7 Reed Warbler, 1 Common Buzzard, 3 Redshank, 9 Dunlin, 53 Sanderling, 52 Ringed Plover, 22 Turnstone, 14 Oystercatcher, 5 Common Tern, 9 Sandwich Tern, 2 Wheatear, 3 Common Gull, 5 Stonechat, 5 Meadow Pipit,
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