It was cool, overcast and with a brisk north easterly wind when I started out from Shuart this morning. The usual jobs were around the car park area and I paused to enjoy the song of 2 singing Willow Warblers. A sound that is always lovely to hear and all the more amazing when I think of the distance that they have travelled to get here. A Water Rail called as I made my way down the track and a Cetti's Warbler was singing loudly but staying out of sight. A Lapwing was giving any passing Carrion Crow a hard time until they moved on and it relaxed until the next one. Otherwise, overall it remained fairly quiet. As I neared the railway crossing a male Kestrel was perched in one of the bushes and gave some very nice views as I came past. Though it was clearly aware of my presence it appeared settled and making the most of some cover from the wind.
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| Kestrel |
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| Kestrel |
It remained quiet, apart from a very vocal Cetti's Warbler, as I came past the stables and once on the sea wall the wind did not make for a particularly pleasant walk but, still, it was good to be out. 5 Gannet flew east out to sea and I could see 6 Curlew at roost behind Plumpudding. A Snipe flew across from the edge at Plumpudding Island and settled into cover on one of the islands. 18 Redshank were roosting out of the wind on the lee side of another of the islands. I passed a very quiet Coldharbour before settling down for a seat on the sea wall. A large flock of 229 Sanderling flew in before settling down to roost.
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| Sanderling |
Late arrivals gave some very good views as they came in to join the others. They really are beautiful little waders and always very attractive in flight. The wind was not making for a particularly comfortable sit on the wall but views of these little fellas more than made up for it.
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| Sanderling |
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| Sanderling |
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| Sanderling |
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| Sanderling |
I carried on towards Reculver and had a couple of Sandwich Terns flying east. Keeping the camera steady was proving to be somewhat problematic in the wind but through luck rather than anything else I did manage to keep them in the viewfinder for the odd shot. Not good ones by any means but an enjoyable reminder of the walk.
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| Sandwich Tern |
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| Sandwich Tern |
Another sit on the sea wall didn't turn up anything more out to sea but a few more passing Sanderling gave the opportunity for some really nice views. Flying into the strong wind was slowing them just enough to enable me to track them a bit better. Real little beauties.
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| Sanderling |
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| Sanderling |
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| Sanderling |
The morning was brightening as the sun managed to break through at times and the wind seemed to be more easterly now although remained brisk. A couple of Stonechat were swaying on their perches as they sortied for insects. A Ringed Plover was making the most of the little bit of shelter from the wind afforded by some flotsum on the beach.
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| Ringed Plover |
I couldn't see any sign of a Short-eared Owl today. Out to sea 2 Whimbrel flew east. A Black-headed Gull lifted off from the beach amidst a shower of shingle as a wave broke on the shore.
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| Black-headed Gull |
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| Black-headed Gull |
They might be birds I see every time I come out but they are still a beautiful sight in full breeding plumage, particularly in flight.
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| Black-headed Gull |
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| Black-headed Gull |
As I neared the towers a single Swift flew west and as my first Swift of the year it was a welcome sight.
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| Swift |
Despite a fair few people up at the towers a male Wheatear was at the back of the grassy area and taking advantage of even the limited height afforded by the mole hills. It has taken me a long time to catch up with a Wheatear this spring and made a nice finish to the mornings birding
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| male Wheatear |
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| male Wheatear |
Later in the afternoon I had a short walk along the embankment at Shuart. Whitethroat and Cetti's Warbler were singing away and a Green Sandpiper was at edge of a flooded area in one of the fields.
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| Green Sandpiper |
A Greylag Goose tucked down amongst the grass was keeping a wary eye out.
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| Greylag Goose |
It was time to head for home and as I made my way back I glanced sideways to find myself eye to eye with a passing male Marsh Harrier flying low beside the embankment. It was only visible for a moment before disappearing behind the hedge but made a memorable end to the visit.
Birds seen this visit included: 2 Robin, 3 Wren, 1 Dunnock, 8 Chaffinch, 2 Stock Dove, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Willow Warbler, 1 Water Rail, 6 Lapwing, Carrion Crows, Wood Pigeons, 2 Pheasant, 1 Red-legged Partridge, 5 Goldfinch, 4 Long-tailed Tit, 5 Blackbird, 4 Cetti's Warbler, 10 Sedge Warblers, 1 Reed Warbler, 5 Whitethroat, 1 Kestrel, 6 Pied Wagtail, 7 Meadow Pipit, 2 Corn Bunting, 10 Linnet, 1 Chiffchaff, 5 Gannet east, 6 Curlew, 12 Oystercatcher, 1 Snipe, 18 Redshank, 2 Mallard, 2 Whimbrel, 2 Stonechat, Sanderling 237, 7 Ringed Plover, 1 Marsh Harrier
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