Black-tailed Godwit, Wood Sandpipers, Bittern, Southern Hawker and Southern Migrant Hawker - Reculver to Shuart 31/07/19

I headed to Reculver this morning. It was sunny when I arrived but rapidly clouding up with a brisk west south westerly wind. The tide was out but starting to come in quite fast. Approximately 170 Starling were around the towers area alternating between the grassy area and then onto the concrete apron where they were searching for insects amongst the seaweed. 2 Grey Partridge flew up with a whirr of wings from the grass area on the old caravan site before disappearing into cover. As I came down to the sea wall a Little Egret was near the waters edge with a couple of Common Sandpiper on the shore line. Sand Martins were hawking for insects. I saw a Black-tailed Godwit flying west and though distant I tried for some photos. They haven't come out well and are heavily cropped but I was pleased to be able to get them.

Black-tailed Godwit

Black-tailed Godwit

I carried on along the sea wall and there was a good mix of waders on the shore with Common Sandpiper, Redshank, Oystercatcher, Dunlin, Ringed Plover and Turnstone all busy feeding and a couple of Curlew flew west. A single Wheatear popped up onto the sea wall and was chased off by a particularly belligerent Linnet. 2 Mediterranean Gulls were on the beach.

Mediterranean Gulls

A couple of Green Sandpipers flew up from the oyster farm before settling down again. A Mediterranean Gull flew west and Swift were over the oyster farm. I met Chris and Anne Hindle who said that Marc Heath had had 2 Wood Sandpiper early morning on Coldharbour. I hoped that they would still be present once I reached there. A female Tufted Duck was in one of the dykes and a couple of Coot with 2 youngsters in another one.

female Tufted Duck

I met Chris and Anne on their way back from Coldharbour and they had seen a Wood Sandpiper but it had flown shortly after so I was not hopeful of catching up with it. I met Marc Heath and while chatting with him a flock of 21 Common Tern flew past out to sea. A Great Crested Grebe was offshore. I reached Coldharbour and had a look to see what I could see. A couple of Dunlin were preening, as was a Redsank. There wasn't any sign of a Wood Sandpiper. Three Common Sandpipers were present and 4 Sandwich Tern flew east out to sea. I couldn't believe my luck when I heard a bird calling and a Wood Sandpiper (146) flew back in. It landed near a Common Sandpiper and started to feed. It was a beautiful bird and I was treated to some lovely views as it fed almost continuously the whole time I was watching it.

Wood Sandpiper and Common Sandpiper

Wood Sandpiper

Wood Sandpiper

Wood Sandpiper

Wood Sandpiper

At one point a large group of cyclists came past and it flew a short distance before settling back down in the same area as a couple of Common Sandpiper. I did not manage much of a flight photo but it does show the pale underwing, well projecting toes and more narrowly barred tail.

Wood Sandpiper

A juvenile Common Sandpiper and 2 adult Dunlin with a juvenile also gave good views as they worked their way along the same edge.

juvenile Common Sandpiper

Dunlin

I carried on and sat on the sea wall for a while to watch the sea but it was very quiet apart from a few passing Sandwich Terns. As I carried on along the sea wall a flock of 10 Common Sandpiper flew east, presumably ones moving as the tide rose, so I have not counted them in the numbers below as I do not know how many I may have already counted as I came along. A Common Tern was fishing offshore and a Grey Seal popped its head up and had a look round before sinking under the water again. A flock of 4 Common Sandpiper flew west and I have counted those below.

Common Tern

Grey Seal

Common Sandpiper

The weather was improving rapidly and becomming sunny and warm. I had more Common and Sandwich Tern passing out to sea as I approached Plumpudding Island with a juvenile Sandwich Tern giving some good views. I did not manage much of a photo but it makes a good memory shot.

juvenile Sandwich Tern

I got a nice surprise when I saw a Wood Sandpiper on Plumpudding Island. I have counted it as a separate bird but it is possible that the one from Coldharbour had flown down. It was turning out to be a very good visit. A juvenile Yellow Wagtail and a juvenile Pied Wagtail close to each other gave good opportunities to compare them.

Wood Sandpiper

Wood Sandpiper

I carried on along the sea wall. I could see at least 6 Whimbrel roosting on the beach together with 62 Oystercatchers, Black-headed and Herring Gulls, and Sandwich and Common Terns. A Common Sandpiper on some rocks stayed longer than I expected with the waves breaking over the rocks. I was beginning to be somewhat concerned that it was going to be washed off the rock but once a large wave came in it flew up and away and escaped unharmed.

Common Sandpiper

Common Sandpiper

Common Sandpiper

As I neared the point to come off the sea wall for Shuart some Black-headed Gulls gave some very good views as they flew into the wind. 11 Common Scoter flew east.

Black-Headed Gull

Black-headed Gull

Black-headed Gull

Lots of Starlings and House Sparrows were around the stables area and several more Pied Wagtail. Linnets were chattering away and a couple of Whitethroat scolded from the bushes. A teneral Migrant Hawker's wings caught the light as it rested amongst nettles.

teneral Migrant Hawker

On crossing the railway line I saw another Migrant Hawker sheltering out of the wind. As I turned from photographing that I saw a large brown bird disappearing from view with a large wing span and it was definitely not a bird of prey or an owl. From the very brief glimpse I thought that it was a Bittern but it seemed so unlikely that I doubted myself too much to count it as such. As an update to this it later turned out that a farm worker had photographed a Bittern in one of the dykes and showed the photo to Matt Hindle. He had seen it in the same area and around the time that I saw this bird so it was really nice to confirm that I had not got the identification wrong even though it was only the briefest of views.

Migrant Hawker

As I came up to the beginning of the hedgerow I could see several hawkers on the wing ahead. There were several Migrant Hawkers and an interesting looking hawker that, luckily for me, settled as it clouded over and I could see that I was looking at my first Southern Hawker. I was so chuffed. It was a beautiful dragonfly.

female Southern Hawker

female Southern Hawker

Extremely well chuffed I carried on down the path and had not gone very far when I saw a couple of hawkers settle. The first was a Migrant Hawker and it gave nice views. A Common Darter was determined not to be left out and settled in front of me allowing a good close view.

Migrant Hawker

Common Darter

I moved forward slowly towards where I had seen the other hawker go down and caught sight of blue and expected to find a male Migrant Hawker. What I actually saw as I crept closer took my breath away. There was a beautiful blue hawker sitting there. Blue eyes and blue and black markings. I couldn't believe it as I thought I may well have a Southern Migrant Hawker but it did not really seem possible and I thought that I must be mistaken. I could not manage to remember exactly what were the definitive identifying features for Southern Migrant Hawker and knew that I would need to check my photos against my books before I could be sure. I was able to get some photos before the sun came back out and suddenly it was off and back to hawking for insects. What an incredibly beautiful dragonfly. As I had to leave shortly afterwards and did not get back until late I wasn't able to check my photos against my books until late evening but they seemed to confirm what I thought. For confirmation I sent a couple of photos to both Chris Hindle and Marc Heath who agreed with identification. What a beauty.

male Southern Migrant Hawker

male Southern Migrant Hawker

male Southern Migrant Hawker

I finished off a very enjoyable and productive visit with close views of another Common Darter.

Common Darter

Birds seen this visit include: 5 Blackbird, Starlings, House Sparrows, Herring Gulls, Black-headed Gulls, 9 Pied Wagtail, 67 Oystercatcher, 48 Sand Martin, 20 Common Sandpiper, 2 Grey Partridge, 8 Redshank, Carrion Crows, 138 Linnet, Wood Pigeons, 4 Little Egret, 31 Meadow Pipit, 20 Ringed Plover, 5 Dunlin, 5 Whitethroat, 12 Turnstone, 2 Green Sandpiper, 1 Wheatear, 1 Grey Heron, 2 west and 1 east Curlew, 3 Mediterranean Gull, 2 Reed Bunting, 53 Swift, 1 Tufted Duck, 2 Pheasant, 5 Sedge Warbler, 1 Reed Warbler, 4 Coot, 30 Common Tern, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Mute Swan, 6 Whimbrel, Skylarks, 16 Sandwich Tern, 2 Great Black-backed Gulls, 3 Magpie, 2 Wood Sandpiper, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 11 Common Scoter east, 1 Marsh Harrier, 6 Corn Bunting, 3 Collared Dove, Blue Tits, Great Tits, 2 Chaffinch, 1 Blackcap, 1 Moorhen

A Frosty Grove Ferry - 15/02/19

I had a rare complete day off today, without any other commitments, so I thought I would spend a day walking through from Grove Ferry to Stodmarsh.

I arrived early on a frosty but beautiful morning. I could hear Bullfinches calling and 2 males and 2 females paused briefly before carrying on. I tried for a photo of a male but it was too obscured by branches. Luckily a female popped up briefly into the open. It was a little distant but I was pleased to try it.

Frosty Grove Ferry

Bullfinch

All the usual little jobs were around. A Dunnock posed very nicely in the sunshine in between having a preen.

Dunnock

I did have a look from the viewing platform but was looking directly into the light. I could see 150 Lapwing but couldn't really make out much more so I carried on towards the David Feast hide. I liked the frost on the reeds. I got a lovely view of a Kingfisher hovering but was not quick enough to get a photo. I also heard a Water Rail call. As I approached the hide I could hear a Cetti's warbler calling but could not manage to see it.

Frost on reed

There was a lot of activity from the hide with 2 Mute Swan, 130 Teal, 30 Gadwall, 1 Little Grebe, 2 Tufted Duck, 1 Shoveler, 7 Coot and a Black-tailed Godwit all giving some lovely views in the sunshine.

I enjoyed watching the Gadwall. They are pretty duck in an understated kind of way and the male's black bill and vent are striking. I was pleased to get an opportunity for a flight shot as well. The white speculum in flight is quite striking.

Gadwall

Gadwall pair and reflections

Gadwall male

Gadwall in flight

A single Little Grebe showed briefly, as did a sub adult Shoveler.

Little Grebe

Shoveler and Gadwall

I was pleased to see a pair of Tufted Duck (93) but could not really manage much of a photo. I thoroughly enjoyed watching the coot. It is incredible the way that they run on the water. And today there was a lot of that going on as there was a particularly either aggressive or amorous one that kept chasing the others, laying low in the water as it came in to attack. In between they settled to feed.

Coot

Coot running on water

Coot eating water weed

A single Black-tailed Godwit (94) showed well on the island. Every now and then it would preen and then wing stretch.

Black-tailed Godwit

Black Tailed Godwit feeding

Black-tailed Godwit wing stretch - underwing

Black-tailed Godwit wing stretch - upperwing

A couple of Greylag Geese flew in, one of which gave a good view of the upperwing markings as they did so. The one that settled on the island gave some nice views and started to preen.

Greylag Geese in flight

Greylag Goose

A flock of 30 Lapwing came in and swooped and tumbled in the air. They were so fast that I could not manage to get on them quick enough but I really enjoyed watching them. The flash of dark and light as they twist and turn is impressive, to say the least.

I had thoroughly enjoyed my time in the hide but it was time to move on so I headed along to the Harrison hide. I heard a Marsh Harrier call, it was soaring high above me and called frequently. A Common Buzzard was mobbed by a Black-headed Gull as it flew through. There was nothing from the hide apart from some Mallard at the back so I had a walk along the path.

I caught sight of what I am sure was a Bearded Tit disappearing into the reeds but couldn't pick it up again. The colour of them is so distinctive. There was a flooded field that looked good but I could not see anything much on it but could hear multiple Skylarks calling from it. A Reed Bunting gave a lovely view. 18 Meadow Pipit were alternating between the trees and the field and though it was distant I tried for a shot of the least obscured one, as it was singing away.

Reed Bunting

Meadow Pipit singing

I made my way through towards the Marsh hide and heard another couple of Cetti's warblers calling. It was quite quiet from the hide. There was a Grey Heron at the back and a Snipe flew across near it. 4 Lapwing were dotted around and a single Water Pipit (95) was on the far island. I tried for some photos but it really was too far to be able to get anything much, apart from a memory shot. I was pleased to see it though. I enjoyed watching a Marsh Harrier and it provided another opportunity for a memory shot.

Water Pipit

Marsh Harrier

I carried on towards Stodmarsh. I met another birdwatcher who said to keep an eye out for a Little Owl as it was near the barn, so I did and I got a lovely, if distant, view. Lots of singing was coming from the wood. I could hear a Great Spotted Woodpecker drumming and a Green Woodpecker yaffling. A couple of Chiffchaff were calling. Blue, Great and Long-tailed Tit were all very active.

Maria arrived in the car park as I reached it and we headed on to the Reedbed hide. There were a few Teal dotted around and some Shoveler gave good, if distant, views of their upperwing pattern.

Shoveler in flight

I was very lucky as a Marsh Harrier flew past close to the hide on several occasions and I tried for some flight shots. I do struggle to be able to capture anything in flight successfully but I enjoy trying and these birds were closer than I normally see them. What a lovely way to spend an afternoon.

Marsh Harrier

Marsh Harrier - close encounter

Marsh Harrier - eye to eye

Marsh Harrier

Marsh Harrier - another close encounter

Some Mute Swan flew in and I enjoyed trying for some shots of them landing.

Mute Swans landing

Mute Swans landing

Mute Swan landing

Mute Swan splash down

Once they had landed the 2 adults displayed to each other with the ?immature, that was with them, joining in and doing the same display movements. The 3rd bird appeared a fair bit smaller and I could not work out why, presumably it is a youngster and perhaps isn't quite full build yet. The reflections in the water today were beautiful.

Mute Swans courtship display - three's a crowd

Mute Swans courtship display

Mute Swan and reflection

A Greylag Goose arrived and had a short swim round before giving some stunning views as it flew towards and then passed over the top of the hide.

Greylag Goose

Greylag Goose - incoming

Greylag Goose - fly over

A pair of Crested Grebe swam into the bay and started to display but then stopped and swam back out. They are striking birds.

Great Crested Grebes

Great Crested Grebes courtship display

A Snipe was tucked in at the back but after a while moved nearer. As time went on more moved out from cover and in the end I saw 4 but none of them came very close.

Snipe

Snipe - wash and brush up

Snipe

Snipe wing stretch

What a lovely way to spend an afternoon. I had thoroughly enjoyed my visit and finished off with a very close Robin. It was in poor light but they are such lovely birds that I tried for a shot anyway.

Robin

Birds seen this visit include: 4 Robin, 5 Dunnock, 2 Wren, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Blackbird, 4 Song Thrush, 4 Bullfinch 2 male and 2 female, 8  Reed Bunting, 4 Chiffchaff, 3 Mallard, 150 Lapwing, 2 Water Rail, 2 Greylag Geese, 1 Kingfisher, 8 Marsh Harrier, 4 Cetti's Warbler, 30 Gadwall, 180 Teal, 1 Little Grebe, 7 Coot, 4 Mute Swan, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Tufted Duck, 22 Shoveler, 2 Ring-necked Parakeet, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, Rook, 3 Skylark, 56 Fieldfare, Goldfinch, 18 Meadow Pipit, 1 Stonechat, 15 Linnet, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Bearded Tit, 4 Moorhen, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Little Owl, 6 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Treecreeper, 2 Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, 5 Snipe