It was very foggy when I arrived at Reculver mid morning. I hoped that it might clear a bit but if anything it seemed to be getting thicker. I could see the towers when I first arrived, even if they were very misty, but within a short space of time even they disappeared completely into the fog as it seemed to close in more.
I decided to walk along the shore to Bishopstone as the tide was due to be going out further. A couple of Pied Wagtail called as they flew over. I heard Sand Martins (119) calling and 2 appeared above me before disappearing into the fog again. It is nice to think that they are back. I did not see any come down to the nest holes but I could hear them above me on several occasions as I walked along. When I had first arrived at Reculver I could still see blue sky above me through the mist, as the fog appeared to be thicker nearer the ground. So it may well be that the Sand Martins were hawking for insects in sunshine, above the fog.
As usual there were lots of crab cases dotted around in all sorts of sizes, from tiny to large. Presumably many of these are moulted shells.
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| Crab Shell |
Visibility was variable as the fog swirled. I caught sight of a Ringed Plover that then disappeared back into the fog. A moment later a Meadow Pipit landed close to me but it was barely visible. I could hear a Curlew call.
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| Looking towards Reculver |
I came across 8 Sanderling and although visibility was not good, it was good enough to be able to enjoy watching them. A group of waders suddenly alarm called loudly and flew past me sending the Sanderling up in alarm as well. The reason loomed out of the fog a moment later as a dog and his owner came through. The group of waders had included Turnstone and Ringed Plovers and a couple of Oystercatchers.
There were various size footprints in the sand and multiple indentations from bills. I liked the single line of these footprints.
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| Footprints |
About halfway along towards Bishopstone the fog started to lift a little and then rapidly cleared which was very welcome. I came across another group of 9 Sanderling. Where the surface of any laying water was still it allowed for perfect reflections.
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| Sanderling |
If the surface was ruffled then the reflections became broken but still beautiful.
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| Sanderling |
Black shoulders appeared and disappeared on some of the birds, depending on their stance. This bird showed black on one side and none when it turned and showed its other side.
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| Sanderling |
Many of the birds caught sizeable prey, some appeared to be catching small shrimp like creatures.
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| Sanderling |
Carrion Crows reappeared on the shore as the fog cleared. The light really caught this birds feathers as it looked up at a passing gull. Another bird made its presence known with repeated calling. Both birds gave good views as they flew past having been flushed by another dog walker.
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| Carrion Crow |
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| Carrion Crow |
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| Carrion Crow |
Several Herring Gulls were having a wash and brush up. Some of the birds were flying up, braking and moving into a short hover before diving down into the water. Their bodies would submerge as they hit the water but most of the area of their wings would remain above water.
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| Herring Gull |
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| Herring Gull |
I came across two things that I did not know what they were. I do not know if the first is a Tunicate or something different, perhaps a sponge or whether it is even natural. The second, I have no idea what it may be unless it is some kind of egg case. I even wondered about a tiny sea anemone that had withdrawn its tentacles. Hopefully at some point I will be able to find out what they are.
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| ? Tunicate |
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| ? |
When I arrived at Bishopstone a Peacock butterfly was sunning itself at the foot of the cliffs and there was lots of Colt's-foot in flower.
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| Peacock Butterfly |
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| Colt's-foot |
The easterly wind was light but quite cool. In sheltered areas in the sun there were several Ladybirds and what I think is a Colletes succinctus or similar.
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| Ladybird |
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| ? Colletes succinctus |
A large number of Shield bugs were on a sheltered Alexander plant. They appeared to be all the same type but the colour did appear to change depending on the light. I am not sure exactly which Shield Bug they are and I will need to look into it further.
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| Shield Bug |
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| Shield Bug |
The glen was quite quiet for birds but extremely busy with dog walkers. I could hear 2 Blackcap singing and saw one of them. A Goldcrest gave brief views. I enjoyed listening to a singing Mistle Thrush who also allowed a photo. Otherwise it was pretty much the usual birds.
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| Mistle Thrush |
There was a profusion of Bee-flies with at least 12 seen throughout the visit. I love watching them and their forked proboscis is quite something.
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| Bee-fly |
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| Bee-fly |
I saw a Comma Butterfly and also another Peacock Butterfly. It was quite tattered but looked beautiful against the blossom.
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| Peacock Butterfly |
I caught sight of a shape inside a bush and could see it was a Jay but initially, apart from an eye, I could not see much. Luckily for me it moved out a bit and I gradually ended up with a better view. It seemed content to just sit and look round, yawning widely at one point. I didn't dare move in case I disturbed it and enjoyed watching it until a dog walker came through and it disappeared back into the bush.
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| Jay |
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| Jay |
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| Jay |
Good numbers of Dunnock were around with at least 14 seen and/or heard during my visit. I finished at the Coastguards and it was lovely sitting on the bench there surrounded by singing birds, each song beautiful in its own way. Rabbits were enjoying the sunshine on the slopes of the cliff.
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| Rabbit |
Both Dunnock and Chaffinch looked lovely in the sunshine. I did not manage to get photos of them singing and could only manage quite distant photos but they make nice memory shots. I could hear Sand Martins calling and 2 shot overhead bringing the visit full circle.
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| Dunnock |
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| Chaffinch |
Birds seen this visit include: 2 Pied Wagtail, 5 Meadow Pipit, Skylarks, 17 Sanderling, 6 Ringed Plover, 9 Turnstone, 1 Curlew, Herring Gulls, Black-headed Gulls, 1 Great Black-backed Gull, 4 Sand Martin, Carrion Crow, 2 Mistle Thrush, 3 Song Thrush, 12 Linnet, 14 Dunnock, 5 Robin, 2 Blackcap, 2 Greenfinch, 1 Goldcrest, 2 Jay, Collared Doves, Woodpigeons, 15 Goldfinches, 4 Wren, Great Tits, Blue Tits, 3 Chiffchaff, Blackbirds, 1 Common Buzzard
