Eider, Snow Buntings and Short-eared Owls - Reculver 02/12/20

With bird watching time in short supply for the next few weeks I was pleased to be able to pay a quick visit to Reculver this afternoon. The usual Robin was on the rocks by the car park and quickly pursued both a Wren and a Meadow Pipit they dared to appear on the rocks.

Robin

As I came past the towers I had a scan out to sea but apart from a Great Crested Grebe all appeared quiet. It came as a nice surprise, therefore, to have an Eider fly west a couple of minutes later.

Eider

It was fairly quiet generally as I made my way along the sea wall. Out to sea I could see a Merlin and a Kestrel was hunting over the oyster farm. I was chuffed when I caught sight of Snow Buntings on the shore and had the chance of some good views of four as they searched for seeds amongst the shingle and scrub. Any day that I can watch Snow Buntings has to be a good one.

Snow Bunting

Snow Buntings

Snow Bunting

Snow Buntings

Snow Bunting

It was hard to tear myself away but it was time to move on. Waders were moving to roost with 64 Ringed Plover, 4 Dunlin and 5 Turnstone in a mixed flock coming into land. 

Over the back fields an immature male Marsh Harrier was following the line of the field edge. Further along I came across another Snow Bunting on the shore which was on its own. I don't know if it was one of the four I saw earlier or a different bird. Whichever it was, it was a little beauty.

Snow Bunting

Snow Bunting

Snow Bunting

It was time to be heading back. Colour was building in the lower part of the sky and contrasting well with the grey clouds. 

I caught a glimpse of a pale shape over the oyster farm and saw a Short-eared Owl making for one of the posts. What better way could there be to end the visit than by watching an owl! 

Short-eared Owl

Short-eared Owl

It only rested on the post for a few minutes before starting to hunt. No sooner had it started than another Short-eared flew up and pursued it. For a few minutes neither would give way and the chase rose higher and higher before finally the challenger won and the first owl moved to the other side of the oyster farm. There really wasn't enough light for photos but I gave it a go anyway and though they have not come out well they do give me some good memory shots of the privilege of being able to watch these two birds interacting.

Short-eared Owls

Short-eared Owls

Short-eared Owls

Short-eared Owls

As I carried on a Dunnock popped up onto the sea wall right in front of me giving some great views. As it turned, though, I could see what appeared to be a tick semi covering one eye. It didn't appear to affect it eyesight as it moved to the shore and picked for food, perhaps because the pupil was mainly clear.

Dunnock

Dunnock

Dunnock

Dunnock

On nearing Reculver I could hear a Carrion Crow alarm calling and it started to mob something on the other side of the bank at the back of oyster farm. Its calls attracted back up and another two joined it in mobbing whatever it was they could see. The mystery was solved when I caught sight of a Common Buzzard flying so low on the other side of the bank, that it was barely visible, with a single Crow in hot pursuit until it became clear the Buzzard was going to keep going and the Crow broke off. The colour in the sky was deepening and made an atmospheric end to the visit as I reached Reculver.