Redwing, Brambling and a Confiding Whinchat - Shuart to Reculver 03/10/20

I started out from Shuart on an overcast day with showers threatening but it was good to be out. It appeared to be generally pretty quiet as I started down the track. As I came to one of the gaps I could see a flock of 26 Lapwing flying south west in the distance, the largest I have seen for quite a while. 5 Blackbird were on the track with a single Redwing searching for prey amongst the grass, giving some very nice views as it so. They are beautiful birds and my first good view of the autumn is always just that extra bit special.

Redwing

Redwing

Redwing

A couple of the Blackbird were showing clear signs of moult giving both of them quite a striking appearance.

Blackbird

Blackbird

Blackbird

Another couple of Redwing were in the hedgerow further along and 3 Greenfinch called from the back of the hedge before moving along further. There were noticeably a lot fewer Chiffchaff around than my recent visits. On nearing the railway line Skylarks were busily calling away and two small flocks of Chaffinch flew west. I was pleased to hear a Crossbill calling loudly as it flew west with another 8 heading in the same direction a short time later. As I neared the stables 11 Siskin passed overhead calling away as the flew west. I had a check of the horse paddocks and a couple of Song Thrush and a Mistle Thrush were in one while Pied Wagtails and Meadow Pipits were flitting about in several paddocks. A flash of orange amongst the mud caught my eye and I was pleased to see a Brambling in the company of 3 Chaffinch in another paddock. They are lovely birds and are always a very welcome sight and one guaranteed to lift the spirits.

Brambling with Chaffinch

On reaching the sea wall a Knot was flying west out to sea and I could see 42 Turnstone roosting on the rocks with more coming in as the tide rose. There was a very smart juvenile amongst them that was later joined by a second juvenile. A Rock Pipit called as it landed on the shore briefly before moving further along. 

Turnstone roost

juvenile Turnstone

two juvenile Turnstones

Oystercatchers were moving along the shore to still exposed feeding areas giving some nice flight views as they did so. 

Oystercatchers

A pair of Stonechat were active on the other side of the sea wall and a Bar-tailed Godwit flew west presumably heading for one of the roosts on the beach. As I headed along towards Plumpudding I was pleased to see a Purple Sandpiper on the rocks and sat on the sea wall for a while to give me time to be able to admire it. It was a little beauty.

Purple Sandpiper

Just before Plumpudding I had another sit on the sea wall so I could have a scan through the wader roost on the beach. There were 14 Curlew and 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, presumably the same bird I had seen fly west earlier, tucked in with 168 Oystercatchers. I enjoyed trying for some photos of the various Turnstone that were flying past.

Turnstones

Turnstones

As I approached Plumpudding Island 2 Wigeon flew in and landed briefly before carrying on. 2 Mallard were roosting on one of the islands. Three Stonechat were on Plumpudding Island and 3 Meadow Pipit. The waders from the roost wheeled up as somebody walked along the beach and some of the Curlew appeared above the fence before disappearing from sight again. I always feel very sorry for the roosting birds when they are disturbed, as it must waste vital energy reserves, and here it seems to happen a lot.

Curlew

Curlew

A Whinchat flicked up near the waters edge and perched obligingly and then proceeded to work its way closer and I ended up getting some cracking views of one of the most confiding Whinchat I have ever come across. It was an absolute beauty and a joy to watch.

Whinchat

Whinchat

Whinchat

Whinchat

Whinchat

Whinchat

As I carried on towards Coldharbour a couple of Sandwich Tern flew past calling loudly and a Redshank flew up from the shore. 2 Shoveler and 1 Teal landed on the sea and 20 Mallard flew over and also settled on the water. From the land side both Red-legged Partridge and Pheasant called.

Shoveler and Teal

Mallards

A Little Egret was on Coldharbour and 16 Redshank were tucked into one of the banks. As I headed to Reculver I saw a Grey Heron on the edge of the dyke which was having a decidedly bad hair day as the wind ruffled up its head feathers. It was a beautifully smart bird.

Grey Heron

Grey Heron

Grey Heron

A Rock Pipit was working its way along the shore as I neared Reculver. I had not managed to see a Short-eared Owl over the oyster farm so hopefully another time. As I passed the towers 2 Chiffchaff were in the bushes and 16 Swallow were hawking for insects above the grassy area bringing an enjoyable visit to a close.

Rock Pipit

Birds seen this visit included: 9 Chiffchaff, 13 Robin, Blue Tits, Great Tits, 2 Cetti's Warbler, Wood Pigeons, 26 Lapwing, 18 Swallow, 3 Magpie, 1 Moorhen, 13 Goldfinch, 1 Reed Warbler, 2 Dunnock, 4 Skylark, 5 Blackbird, 3 Redwing, 27 Chaffinch, 3 Greenfinch, 9 Crossbill west, 5 Blackcap, 2 Song Thrush, 1 Mistle Thrush, 10 Reed Bunting, 3 Kestrel, 22 Meadow Pipits, 8 Mute Swan, 2 Collared Dove, 11 Pied Wagtail, Starlings, House Sparrows, 1 Wren, 11 Siskin west, 1 Knot, 88 Turnstone, 2 Rock Pipit, Black-headed Gulls, Herring Gulls, 184 Oystercatcher, 9 Stonechat, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 1 Purple Sandpiper, 14 Curlew, 130 Ringed Plover, 6 Meadow Pipit, 1 Whinchat, 17 Redshank, 2 Wigeon, 22 Mallard, 2 Sandwich Tern, 2 Shoveler, 1 Teal, 2 Red-legged Partridge, 4 Little Egret, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Pheasant, Golden Plover, 1 Sanderling, 16 Swallow, 

Bramblings and An Off Balance Kestrel - Shuart 25/10/19

I headed to Shuart this morning and was greeted by a Ring-necked Parakeet calling stridantly with a back up chorus of songs and calls from the usual suspects as I walked up to the top of the bridleway. As I came into the open I caught sight of a Common Buzzard perched nearby atop the hedge. It was a lovely view but although I froze as soon as I saw it, it was unfortunately too late and, having seen me, it dropped down from the hedge and flew rapidly away. For that brief moment though, before it flew, it had been a lovely view of an immature Common Buzzard and a good start to the visit. As I made my way back to the main track I spent a few minutes watching a little group of Goldcrest working their way through some heavily shaded Ivy. They really are lovely little birds.

As I wandered down the track I came across a Robin singing away and paused to enjoy its song. When it had finished singing it worked its way closer to me and posed very nicely before moving off.

Robin

Robin

Robin

A little further on a Lesser Redpoll landed briefly near the top of a tree before continuing on its way, calling as it did so, and a couple of Green Woodpecker gave a stereo effect as they called from opposite directions at the same time. 8 Long-tailed Tit were in constant contact as they searched for insects, only pausing very briefly to work their way through a bush before flying on to the next one. I paused to watch a couple of Stonechat, a very smart male and a female, that were visible as I had a look through the first break in the hedge.

3 Redwing flew up as I neared the end of the hedge and a Yellowhammer was perched on the top of one of the bushes before flying off calling. As I came up to the stables I could hear a Brambling (154) call and ended up seeing 3. They moved from feeding on the ground to a bush. It was really nice to catch up with Brambling for the year and even the rain starting could not take away from the pleasure of being able to watch them for a while.

Brambling

Brambling

Brambling

Bramblings

Bramblings

A Kestrel that was perched and trying to get it balance in the wind gave an opportunity for some photos and after catching a mouse it flew across before settling to feed on it.

Kestrel

I was very pleased to have been able to see the Brambling but as this was proving to be a particulatly difficult day for getting around I decided to head for home.


Birds seen this visit include: 16 Robin, 11 Wren, 2 Jay, 7 Chiffchaff, 31 Blackbird, Wood Pigeons, 3 Common Buzzard, Jackdaws, 16 Chaffinch, 1 Ring-necked Parakeet, Blue Tits, Great Tits, 3 Goldcrest, 15 Pied Wagtail, 4 Skylark, 4 Green Woodpecker, 1 Lesser Redpoll, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 17 Goldfinch, 2 Mallard, 1 Sparrowhawk, 12 Magpie, 8 Long-tailed Tit, 4 Kestrel, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 3 Dunnock, 4 Stonechat, 4 Redwing, 12 Reed Bunting, 3 Song Thrush, 1 Yellowhammer, 6 Swallow, 22 Mute Swan, 10 Meadow Pipit, Carrion Crows, Starlings, 1 Mistle Thrush, 1 Little Grebe, 3 Brambling, 65 Chaffinch, Linnets