It was very overcast as I headed to Shuart this morning but it was good to be out particularly as it was likely to be my last chance for coming bird watching until the end of December. Though it appeared to be fairly quiet over all I enjoyed hearing and seeing what I could as I made my way along the track and caught up with most of the usual jobs. I paused to watch a mixed flock of Tits, captivated as always by the antics of the Long-tailed Tits. A Water Rail called and coming to one of the gaps in the hedgerow I could see a flock of 152 Russian White-fronted Geese making the most of one of the harvested Sweetcorn fields.
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| Russian White-fronted Geese |
I could see both a Marsh Harrier and a Common Buzzard up over the far fields and a Golden Plover that had been disturbed flew over calling. A couple of Brent Geese flew over before heading back towards the sea. Some of the White-fronts were surprisingly close to the path and allowed some very good views through the various gaps in the hedgerow. There was something very special about being able to see them so close and so many.
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| Russian White-fronted Geese |
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| Russian White-fronted Geese |
The geese were moving to various areas of the fields, sometimes in smaller groups, sometimes a large number of them moving at once. As I came to the end of the hedgerow some of them were surprisingly close to the path and I was worried about disturbing them but as it turned out they seemed to be totally unconcerned by anyone passing by on the path. Several dog walkers headed past but the most the geese would do would be to raise their heads and have a look before resuming feeding again. As I carried on along the path I was treated to some of the best views of White-fronted Geese I have ever had. The day was proving to be quite an experience.
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| Russian White-fronted Geese |
A single Brent Goose was also in the field with them but was keeping to itself at the side.
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| Brent Goose |
It was nice to be able to catch up with the two Barnacle Geese again and they also seemed remarkably unconcerned by any activity on the path enabling some great views of them.
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| Barnacle Geese |
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| Barnacle Geese |
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| Barnacle Geese |
It was time to make a move but hard to tear myself away. There is something magical about the sight and sounds of so many geese. Five Redshank flew past and settled down into the same field as the geese, near some standing water.
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| Redshank |
A Stonechat popped up as I came up to the railway line and I could see some Red-legged Partridge along the back edge of one of the fields. Heading past the stables it was surprisingly quiet apart from a couple of vocal Dunnocks and a few Starling and House Sparrows. A Pied Wagtail flew over as I came up onto the sea wall and a Little Egret was on the shore with a couple of Redshank and a Sanderling. It remained fairly quiet out to sea as I made my way towards Coldharbour with 2 Red-throated Divers east and 104 Mallard and 18 Common Scoter a good ways off shore. Cormorants had collected on the various rocks and were moving back to the water as the tide went out.
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| Cormorant |
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| Cormorant |
Three Great Crested Grebes were off shore and I came across a small mix of waders as I made my along.
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| Great Crested Grebes |
Coldharbour was very quiet apart from a single Redshank who was throwing a clear reflection but who was looking pretty much as cold as I felt.
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| Redshank |
The lone Brent Goose was investigating the rocks near the towers as I reached Reculver.
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| Brent Goose |
Coming up past the towers a hovering Kestrel dropped to make a successful catch before flying off with it and bringing the visit to a close.
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| Kestrel |
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| Kestrel with prey |
Birds seen this visit included: Great Tits, Blue Tits, Wood Pigeons, 3 Wren, 6 Chaffinch, 29 Blackbird, 2 Robin, 4 Ring-necked Parakeet, 12 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Moorhen, 1 Golden Plover, 6 Magpie, 2 Pheasant, 152 White-fronted Geese, 1 Fieldfare, 2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Redwing, 1 Water Rail, 380 Brent Geese, 2 Barnacle Geese, 1 Marsh Harrier, 5 Mute Swan, 2 Common Buzzard, Carrion Crows, 5 Stonechat, 2 Reed Bunting, 10 Red-legged Partridge, 2 Dunnock, 5 Pied Wagtail, Starlings, House Sparrows, 1 Little Egret, 14 Oystercatcher, Cormorants, 4 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Sanderling, 9 Redshank, 2 Red-throated Diver east, 2 Meadow Pipit, 3 Kestrel, 104 Mallard, 18 Common Scoter, 3 Great Black-backed Gull, 1 Curlew, 1 Grey Plover, 11 Turnstone, 6 Ringed Plover, 1 Merlin, Skylarks, 1 Short-eared Owl
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