Ring-necked Parakeet and Water Rail - Broomfield Track 03/04/20

There did not appear to be any new common migrants in on my daily exercise walk but I had an enjoyable walk round in some very pleasant sunshine. The Chiffchaff was in its usual spot and singing away. As I made my way up to the top path I came across a Chaffinch busily feeding on the buds of one of the trees. It literally stopped mid bill full to peep out at me before carrying on looking for the choicest buds.

female Chaffinch

A small flock of 6 Linnet were chattering away in the tops of the hedgerow trees as I made my way down to the lower track and looked beautiful against the brilliant blue of the sky.

Linnet

I was chuffed, as I made my way along the bottom path to first hear and then see, briefly, a Ring-necked Parakeet (103) as it flew up from the wood before disappearing into cover again.I have found it surprisingly difficult to catch up with one this year until now. A Blue Tit amongst the blossom gave some super views as it searched for insects before settling to preen.

Blue Tit

Blue Tit

Blue Tit

I had a very unexpected surprise as I headed past the farm when a Water Rail flew up from the ditch and paused for a second to look at me before disappearing into cover at the bottom of the hedgerow. I have seen Moorhen very occasionally at this site in the past but I have never seen a Water Rail.

Well chuffed I carried on for home and enjoyed listening to a Robin who was in full song as I passed by.

Robin

A Common Scoter With A Sad End - Reculver to Coldharbour 13/11/19

With a day off allowing a chance for a wander I made my way to Reculver and aimed to see how far I could get. There was a westerly breeze and sunshine with some clouds and the tide was on the way in. A couple of Robin were having a face-off on the rocks by the car park and a Wren was busy squeezing into the smallest gaps between the rocks in search of food. The sea appeared to be quiet and apart from the usual gulls I could only see a single Gannet moving east. As I reached the sea wall a Mute Swan flew past as it moved out to sea before heading west and it was close enough to feel the down draft from its wings as it came over. A little further on a Stonechat flicked up onto the sea wall before dropping back down and moving nearer a male that appeared to be keeping look out.

Mute Swan

Stonechat

Redshank calls rang from the oyster farm as a Kestrel flew over before pausing to hover several times and then dropping down onto prey. The walk up to the junction of the green bank was fairly quiet. A single Great Crested Grebe flew west, as did a Gannet but otherwise out to sea remained quiet. Groups of Cormorants, with flock sizes of between 3 to 82 were coming in off the sea and heading south and during the visit I saw a total of 576 doing so. As I headed on up towards Coldharbour a male Chaffinch popped up onto the sea wall before dropping back to the shore and continuing feeding amongst the seed heads.

Cormorants

male Chaffinch

On approaching Coldharbour I could see 2 Shelduck, 8 Mallard, 2 Curlew and 16 Oystercatcher roosting on the shore. I had a sit on the sea wall and looked out to sea for a while but it remained quiet with just a couple of Gannet east so I started to make my way around Coldharbour. A Little Egret came in to land and a couple of Little Grebe were diving for food before one tucked its self into the bank, its eye glinting in the sunlight.

Little Egret

Little Grebe

As I carried on I could see a group of 18 Redshank roosting but it was only when I had gone a little way further along the sea wall that I could see that a Common Scoter was tucked in with them. Now that did come as a surprise. Originally it had its head tucked down but as a large group of cyclists went past it peeped up to see what all the noise was about.

Redshank roosting

female/immature Common Scoter

After a while it came down off the bank and treated me to the closest views I have ever had of a Common Scoter as it worked its way towards me. It was a beautiful little duck and swam for a while and had a quick drink before starting to feed. As well as dipping its head underwater it also, at one point, spun round and round in a tight circle and I wondered if the current created by this stirred up the sediment with food in it for it. It appeared well and I felt very lucky to be able to watch it. After an euthusiastic wash and brush up it started feeding again. It had made my day being able to enjoy such close views of a bird I normally only see a good way out to sea. There was no warning of the sad turn of events that things were about to take place only minutes away.

female/immature Common Scoter

female/immature Common Scoter

female/immature Common Scoter

female/immature Common Scoter

female/immature Common Scoter

I was side tracked at this point when a Kingfisher flew in and landed on the back fence and I enjoyed watching as it dived to fish a couple of times. It wasn't successful and moved off to try its luck further along.

Kingfisher

Kingfisher

Kingfisher

I heard a splash and looked back to see that the Common Scoter had moved over to near the back fence not far along from the where the Kingfisher had been. It had its back to me and appeared to be shading the water with outstretched but bowed wings and I wondered if it was doing it so it could see into the water better. Tragically that turned out not to be the case. It suddenly flapped its wings and pivoted in the water and as it did so I could see that its head was underwater. I thought at first that it had hold of a prey item and it was trying to eat it but as it went on it became clear that it was frantically trying to free its head. Whatever it was caught in or on it could not get free and even as I made a move to see if it would be possible to get round to the other side in time to see if there was any way of helping it, it drowned, never managing to lift its head free. I couldn't believe it. What an incredibly sad end for such a beautiful little bird that only a short time before had been such a delight to watch. I felt so sorry for it and that I had not been able to help it. In reality there is no way I could have got to it in time but that did not help how I felt.

I took a break and had a sit on the sea wall and watched out to sea for a little while, still stunned by what had happened to the Common Scoter. Behind me a couple of Bearded Tits called from the reed bed. I decided to head back to Reculver and had a couple of juvenile Gannets flying east. A little further along a Blue Tit tucking into an apple paused long enough to peep at me before carrying on.

Blue Tit

Blue Tit

A flock of 22 Corn Bunting were scattered between a couple of bushes before moving on down towards the oyster farm. While above a Carrion Crow gave a Common Buzzard a pretty rough time before breaking off once the Buzzard had taken the hint and moved through.

Corn Buntings

Carrion Crow mobbing a Common Buzzard

It was a fairly quiet walk back. There were a few more Gannet out to sea and groups of Brent Geese were heading east. As I reached the junction of the green bank and beginning of the oyster farm I could hear multiple Corn Bunting calling and could see at least 65. As the 22 that I seen earlier had flown in this direction I have not counted them separately as they may have been part of this flock. A Redshank roosting on the shore looked stunning against the blue of the sea.

Redshank

As I neared the Towers an obliging Meadow Pipit gave some very good views as it searched for insects amongst the shingle.

Meadow Pipit

Meadow Pipit

Meadow Pipit

Meadow Pipit

I finished the visit with a couple of Pied Wagtail searching for insects on the concrete apron and a Blackbird on the hunt for worms by the Towers. I was pleased that I had been able to come but the visit had definitely been overshadowed by the death of the Common Scoter.

Pied Wagtail

Blackbird

Birds seen this visit included: 5 Wren, 9 Robin, 1 Dunnock, 11 Gannet, 6 west, 6 east, Black-headed Gulls, Herring Gulls, 576 Cormorant, Carrion Crows, Wood Pigeons, 1 Magpie, 3 Mute Swan, 25 Redshank, 10 Great Black-backed Gulls, 47 Brent Geese east, 26 Meadow Pipit, 9 Stonechat, 3 Kestrel, 17 Reed Bunting, 6 Blackbird, 19 Goldfinch, 2 Blue Tit, 1 Great Crested Grebe west, 12 Linnet, 5 Turnstone, House Sparrows, 1 Chaffinch, 25 Ringed Plover, 24 Sanderling, 8 Skylark, 2 Shelduck, 8 Mallard, 2 Curlew, 16 Oystercatcher, 3 Little Grebe, 4 Coot, 1 Little Egret, 1 Common Scoter, 65 Corn Bunting, 1 Common Buzzard, 2 Pheasant, 1 Song Thrush, 5 Pied Wagtail,

A Firecrest Gem and a Short-eared Owl - Shuart to Chambers Wall 23/10/19

I started out from Shuart today, mid-morning, and aimed for a wander through to Chambers Wall. It was an overcast day with an easterly wind and a few spots of rain here and there. A couple of RIng-necked Parakeet were calling noisily as I arrived. There seemed to be less Chiffchaff around than my last visit as I headed down the track. A little group of 3 Goldcrests were busy looking for insects as they worked their way though some ivy. A Bullfinch dropped briefly into the hedgerow before carrying on west. As I neared the end of the hedgerow I caught sight of a Firecrest deep within one of the bushes and spent a very happy few minutes watching the little gem of a bird as it searched here and there for insects. It was mainly fairly obscured but I was incredibly lucky as it gradually worked its way into an open area and allowed some very nice views. Now that had definitely made my morning.

Firecrest

Firecrest

Firecrest

6 Redwing flew over heading east and a Song Thrush peeped out at me before disappearing back into the bushes. I heard a Common Buzzard call and could see it was being mobbed by a couple of Carrion Crow. A Blue Tit was enjoying some Hawthorn berries, pecking at the skin until it broke and it could reach the pulp inside.

Blue Tit

Blue Tit

On reaching the embankment I headed towards Chambers Wall. A small flock of 11 Swallows flew east and 8 Long-tailed Tits called as they worked their way through the bushes. I tried for some photos of some of the Goldcrests that were busy feeding at various intervals. They are lovely little birds and even though I struggled to get much in the photo line I really enjoyed watching them.

Goldcrest

Goldcrest

Goldcrest

Goldcrest

A Kestrel was twisting and turning as it tried to evade the 2 Carrion Crows who were mobbing it. Eventually the Crows lost interest and the Kestrel was able to hover in peace before dropping down onto prey. As I reached the railway crossing for Chambers Wall I could hear multiple alarm calls coming from the other side of the tracks with Blackbirds, Dunnocks, Robins and Blue and Great Tits all joining in the chorus of alarm calls. As I reached the other side a couple of Magpie joined in as did a Cetti's Warbler. Whatever was causing the alarm was out of sight from me but the arrival of a couple of fishermen solved the mystery as a beautiful Short-eared Owl flew up from the river side and flew over the track before landing in the back of the bushes. It did not get any peace there as the two Magpie followed it and started to dive bomb it. Once again it flew for cover and as it did so it gave some lovely views before dropping down and diappearing into cover near the railway embankment. It made a perfect end to the visit. What a beautiful bird.

Short-eared Owl

Short-eared Owl

Short-eared Owl

Short-eared Owl

Short-eared Owl

Short-eared Owl

A Greenfinch flew up as it caught sight of me and as I neared the end of the path I had a group of 8 Goldcrests feeding away in the bushes and 4 Chiffchaff. The rain that had been threatening started in earnest just as I reached the pick up point so it turned out to be pretty perfect timing. Any day that I see an owl is a good one and with a Firecrest as well I felt very lucky as I headed for home.


Birds seen this visit include: 2 Ring-necked Parakeet, 24 Robin, 9 Wren, 12 Magpie, 2 Jay, 13 Chiffchaff, 3 Goldfinch, 2 Pied Wagtail, 2 Mallard, 17 Blackbird, 9 Chaffinch, Linnets, 23 Goldcrest, Wood Pigeons, Blue Tits, Great Tits, 19 Skylark, 3 Moorhen, 3 Dunnock, 1 Bullfinch, 6 Redwing, 1 Firecrest, 6 Reed Bunting, 3 Common Buzzard, Starlings, 1 Song Thrush, 2 Common Buzzard, 2 Kestrel, 3 Cetti's Warbler, 5 Meadow Pipit, 1 Corn Bunting, Herring Gulls. Black-headed Gulls, 5 Mute Swan, 11 Swallow east, 8 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Short-eared Owl, 1 Greenfinch, 

A Quiet but Enjoyable Walk Through - Shuart to Chambers Wall 26/07/19

I started out from Shuart today. Rain was threatening for the first part of the visit and I could see a couple of flashes of lightening out to the west but they never got any closer. In the end it stayed dry and turned warm and sunny. 5 Wren's were in the car park area with a couple of Robins. I stopped to enjoy a male Blackcap's song a little further on and as I did so I heard a brief call that sounded like a Water Rail. Though I stayed a while to listen I didn't hear anything further and the only birds I could see in the dyke were an adult Moorhen and a youngster. I will have to see if I hear it again. A Little Owl called which is always a welcome sound. It was a fairly quiet walk through to the sea wall with most of the usual jobs present. I enjoyed watching a couple of immature Willow Warblers as they worked their way through the hedgerow.

immature Willow Warbler

There were certainly good numbers of Wren around and at least 4 Migrant Darters. I saw several juvenile Reed Warblers. I was puzzled by one of the warblers that I saw and managed to get some photos. Further on I met Matt Hindle and asked him to have a look at the photos. He instantly recognised it as a Reed Warbler and once I got home and looked at the photos I could see it but at the time I really wondered what it was. I have still got lots to learn.

juvenile Reed Warbler

A juvenile Cuckcoo flew from a bush and gave a brief view before it dived into the next one. I did not manage much of a shot but was pleased to get what I did.

juvenile Cuckoo

I saw a large family of Blue Tits working their way through an apple tree with 8 youngsters busily feeding. I couldn't get much of a shot but it makes a good memory shot.

young Blue Tit

30 Swallow were hawking for insects over the horse paddocks as I came up to the stables and several of the horses had rows of Starling passengers on their backs. 6 Pied Wagtail were busily looking for insects. The sea was rougher today but appeared very quiet for birds as I reached the sea wall. The tide was almost in but on the turn. A Sandwich Tern flew east and a Ringed Plover was calling noisily from the beach. I had a Kingfisher fly past and fly up onto some rocks. They are always a joy to see.

Kingfisher

A single Great Crested Grebe was out to sea and 8 Whimbrel were roosting on the shore in groups of 5 and 3. A Ringed Plover flew in overhead before turning for shore again. Meadow Pipits were popping up onto the sea wall. Plumpudding Island was very quiet apart from a few Goldfinches, Linnets and Meadow Pipits and a single Little Egret. I could hear a Greenshank calling from out to sea but could not see it from where I was at Plumpudding Island. I carried on towards Coldharbour and the odd Sandwich Tern continued to fly past as did a Little Egret. A young Yellow Wagtail was on the sea wall. They are lovely little birds.

immature Yellow Wagtail

immature Yellow Wagtail

I carried on to the green bank and had a Common Sandpiper past out to sea. 3 Stonechat were alongside the sea wall. I headed up the path parallel to the green bank. Several Emperor Dragonflies were on the wing as were Common Darters. A Common Blue Butterfly paused long enough, as it fed on some Red Clover, for a photo.

Common Blue Butterfly

I could hear a Linnet calling away and could see a particularly brightly pumaged male above me.

male Linnet

male Linnet

A teneral Migrant Hawker was hanging from a stem and gave an opportunity for some photographs.

teneral Migrant Hawker

teneral Migrant Hawker

teneral Migrant Hawker

On reaching the railway embankment over 30 Goldfinches were enjoying the thistle heads. They make such a lovely sound as they chatter away. A Grey Heron was in one of the fields. There was a lot of Common Toadflax in patches along the embankment.It looked lovely in the sunshine but was hard to find a bit that was not partially obscured by vegetation.

Common Toadflax

On reaching Chambers Wall I had a look beside the river. 2 Green Sandpipers flew up calling noisily and Swallows were hawking for insects. I could see a couple of Brown Hawkers and also 2 Emperor Dragonflies.Unfortunately I had run out of time and needed to get back for a meeting so I couldn't linger. A male Sparrowhawk shot through and turned on a sixpence to chase a Reed Warbler that had flown up in alarm. It missed it by a fraction and carried on through. I finished with distant views of a Common Buzzard and 7 Lapwing flying over. It had been a fairly quiet visit overall but an enjoyable walk through.

Lapwing

Birds seen this visit include: Wood Pigeons, 15 Wren, 2 Robin, 6 Blackbird, 7 Green Woodpecker, 6 Chaffinch, 1 Little Owl, Blue Tits, Great Tits, 8 Magpie, 2 Moorhen, 2 Pheasant, 8 Reed Warbler, Herring Gulls, 1 Blackcap, 1 Jay, 5 Mallard, 9 Whitethroat, 16 Reed Bunting, 17 Sedge Warbler, Skylarks, 2 Common Buzzard, 3 Willow Warbler, 3 Sedge Warbler, Carrion Crow, 1 Dunnock, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Kestrel, 36 Goldfinch, 53 Swallow, 7 Pied Wagtail, House Sparrows, Starlings, Linnets, 6 Sandwich Tern, Black-headed Gulls, Cormorants, 10 Ringed Plover, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 8 Whimbrel, 13 Meadow Pipits, 3 Little Egret, 7 Oystercatcher, 1 Greenshank, 1 Common Tern, 1 Great Black-backed Gull, 3 Coot, 1 Turnstone, 1 Common Sandpiper, 3 Stonechat, 2 Mute Swan, 2 Green Sandpiper, 1 Sparrowhawk, 7 Lapwing