Raven and a Tundra Bean Goose - Reculver to Shuart 07/01/21

I paid an early morning visit to Reculver this morning and aimed for a walk through to Shuart. It will be my last visit for quite a while so I thought I would try and make the most of it this morning. A Robin was in its usual spot on the rocks by the car park when I arrived and the morning was showing the promise of being fine. I had a scan out to sea from the towers but all appeared to be pretty quiet and I could not manage to pick up any divers.

Meadow Pipits and 3 Pied Wagtails were flitting between the sea wall and the shore as I made my way past the oyster farm. I heard the unmistakeable sound of a Raven calling and scanning I could see one flying towards me over the oyster farm. They are impressive birds and this one flew strongly straight past and headed past the towers. I lost my balance trying for a photo but thoroughly enjoyed the encounter. It certainly livened up the morning.

Raven

Raven

Raven

Raven

Over on the oyster farm a pair of Collared Doves were on the buildings before moving back towards the old caravan park. A Kingfisher was a welcome sight as it flashed brilliant blue as the sunlight caught its plumage while flying over the lagoons. A Stonechat peeped round at stem at me and its mate was busily flycatching a little further along.

Stonechat

It was remaining quiet out to sea with only a single Shelduck heading west. Sixteen Black-headed Gulls had collected on the water on the lee side of the rocks and appeared to be picking food items from the surface of the sea.

Black-headed Gulls

As I neared the green wall I could see a single Yellowhammer sharing a bush with a couple of Reed Bunting and a few House Sparrows. More House Sparrows were behind and I had a scan through in case I was lucky enough to see a Tree Sparrow but couldn't find one amongst them. On the sea side small flocks of Brent Geese were flying in and settling on the sea near the shore.

Brent Geese

I had a sit on the sea wall at Coldharbour and watched out to sea for a while. It remained quiet but I enjoyed watching a distant group of 27 Common Scoter.

Common Scoter

Coldharbour itself was quiet with just a few Black-headed Gulls and the odd Redshank. A Marsh Harrier was up at the back near the railway embankment and further along I could see a Common Buzzard lazily gaining height. Carrying on towards Plumpudding Turnstone, Ringed Plover and Sanderling were all present along the shore. A couple of Carrion Crow flew past with one carrying a newly opened shell.

Carrion Crows

Brent Geese were strung along the sea close to shore with small numbers regularly taking off and heading inland to settle on the fields. It gave a good opportunity to try for some flight photos in good light. Their plumage showed up beautifully in the light. The photos do not do them justice but I enjoyed trying for them.

Brent Goose

Brent Goose

Brent Geese

Brent Goose

Plumpudding had a few Redshank present and a couple of Pied Wagtail. 38 Oystercatchers and 5 Curlew were on the wader roost behind Plumpudding. A Snipe disappeared into cover on one of the islands. It remained quiet as I carried on to the stables. At the stables a couple of Pied Wagtail were in one of the Horse Paddocks and 10 Linnet and 8 Corn Bunting were in the bushes. A sleepy House Sparrow was enjoying the sunshine opening its eye regularly to check around.

House Sparrow

As I made my way along to Shuart I came across 4 Red-legged Partridge hunched down in the grass and almost evenly spaced.

Red-legged Partridge

I finished with a nice surprise when I caught sight of the Tundra Bean Goose in the same field that I saw it back on 29th December. I still couldn't manage much of a photo as it was a good way away but at least this time it was in some decent light. 

Tundra Bean Goose

It was unexpected bonus and made a very nice end to the visit. I will miss coming to Reculver but felt very lucky to have been able to come today and to have some very welcome sunshine with some good new birds for the year.

Sandwich Terns, Gannets and a Red-breasted Merganser - Shuart to Reculver 06/11/20

I headed back to Shuart on a beautifully sunny morning and from the approach road could see a large group of 27 Red-legged Partridge in one of fields. They glowed in the early morning light and the few nearer the road scuttled to the edge of the hedgerow as we came down and peeped out before moving back to the others and continuing feeding.

Red-legged Partridge

It seemed fairly quiet from the car park area with just the usual suspects present. A couple of Ring-necked Parakeet flew over calling and a pair of Magpies were scolding at something I couldn't see. Skylarks were above and a couple of Robin were in the midst of a territory disagreement. As I headed towards the track a single Stock Dove peeped down at me.

Stock Dove

Making my way down the track I saw a flock of 7 Redwing fly over and I enjoyed watching the odd Goldcrest that I came across. It continued to have a fairly quiet feel to it today but was a beautiful morning for a walk through. Another 10 Red-legged Partridge were at the back of one of the fields and a Water Rail was vocal. I could hear alarm calls and through a small gap between the bushes I caught sight of the Hen Harrier but by the time I reached a gap in the hedgerow there was no sign. It is certainly a beautiful bird. The moon was still very visible in the blue sky and looked stunning.

Moon

I had heard four Cetti's Warbler in total by the time I reached the railway line and 28 Stock Doves were over in one of the fields. The two Stonechat were once again in the area of the crossing. From the stables I could see 14 Redwing in one of the paddocks and another 2 Cetti's Warblers were vocal. 15 Corn Bunting were calling from the bushes. As I reached the sea wall a Great Black-backed Gull flew over with the light really catching its eye.

Great Black-backed Gull

Great Black-backed Gull

The tide was a good way out when I reached the sea wall and I could see 120 Oystercatchers stretched out along the shore. 10 Great Black-backed Gulls were loafing around and a single Dunlin was busily feeding. A Curlew flew east out to sea and 15 Sanderling were at the waters edge. Out to sea appeared quiet with just a single Great Crested Grebe offshore. I came across a group of Oystercatchers that had been attracted to the same small pool of water and they were almost exactly evenly spaced out.

Oystercatchers

As I headed towards Plumpudding I caught up with a small mix of waders and far out to sea I could see 2 Sandwich Tern fishing. I am going to miss watching those. The light caught a Mute Swan's eye as it came past and highlighted its feathers beautifully. 5 Common Gulls were on the shore and out to sea 3 Gannet headed east.

Mute Swan

A flock of 94 Mallard came in to land out to sea and I could see 3 Wigeon in amongst them. 240 Brent Geese also flew in and are always a very welcome sight. They tend to be a bit of a show stopper as well with quite a few people on the sea wall pausing to watch them come in. 

Brent Geese

Plumpudding Island proved to be very quiet and I could not see the Snipe today. A beautiful male Stonechat looked stunning in the light and I enjoyed watching it for a while.

Stonechat

On the way to Coldharbour I could see 12 Gannet flying west in small groups and 4 Brent Geese gave a flypast with the light beautifully highlighting their wings. 

Brent Geese

Coldharbour was deserted but the disturbance from walkers along the shingle bank was high. A Cetti's Warbler was calling from the other side of the sea wall but otherwise all was quiet. A Mushroom was growing amongst the vegetation on the shingle by the sea wall. I am not sure at the moment which it is.

Mushroom

I headed on towards the green bank and off shore I could see another couple of Great Crested Grebe and a Red-throated Diver but otherwise it stayed quite quiet. 29 Golden Plover flew up from one of the fields.

Golden Plover

Another Cetti's Warbler was calling as I carried on towards Reculver and I could hear the Water Rail calling from the dyke in front of the oyster farm. I had a sit on the sea wall for a while and out to sea 5 Gannet flew west.

Gannet

A Little Egret flew over the oyster farm but I could not see any Short-eared Owls today. A couple of Redshank alarm called. A single Shelduck was off shore and glowed in the sunlight.

Shelduck

I had a final sit on the sea wall just before I reached Reculver and watched out to sea for a while. It proved to very quiet with just another couple of Gannet west. Having watched for a while with nothing much happening I got my phone out to arrange a pick up from Reculver and a Red-breasted Merganser flew east. It is amazing how often a good bird waits until you have your hands full. By the time I had managed to put the phone down and get the camera on it the Merganser had flown well east. It has been a difficult and painful week and sometimes frustration gets the better of me and I lose my sense of humour briefly and this was definitely one of those moments. Luckily it only ever lasts for a couple of minutes but I can probably fit a years worth of swear words in, in that time, which is not good. Ah well. It was a lovely bird to end the visit with and though the photo does not do it credit it gives me a good memory shot and I was grateful to have seen it.

Red-breasted Merganser

Birds seen this visit included: 37 Red-legged Partridge, 4 Grey Heron, 5 Magpie, Skylarks, Blue Tits, Great Tits, 10 Robin, 2 Ring-necked Parakeet, 21 Chaffinch, 29 Stock Dove, 27 Blackbird, Carrion Crows, Jackdaws, Wood Pigeons, 4 Wren, 5 Goldfinches, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 13 Redwing, 7 Goldcrest, 5 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Kestrel, 2 Jay, 12 Fieldfare, 2 Water Rail, 1 Hen Harrier, 1 Mistle Thrush, 4 Song Thrush, 7 Cetti's Warbler, 4 Reed Bunting, 1 Common Buzzard, 2 Mute Swan, 10 Stonechat, 1 Dunnock, 11 Pied Wagtail, 3 Meadow Pipit, 15 Corn Bunting, 13 Great Black-backed Gull, 120 Oystercatcher, 2 Curlew, 1 Dunlin, 15 Sanderling, 3 Great Crested Grebe, 25 Ringed Plover, 8 Turnstone, 2 Grey Plover, 6 Common Gull, 22 Gannet, 2 Sandwich Tern, 94 Mallard, 3 Wigeon, 1 Shelduck, 1 Red-throated Diver, 1 Little Egret, 2 Redshank, 1 Red-breasted Merganser

A Windy Gull Watch - Reculver 09/01/19

It was a very windy day today with a strong north westerly wind and jolly chilly too, but with some nice sunny intervals. I came down to Reculver but found it really was too windy and cold to try walking along the sea wall, particularly as I felt so rough today and balance was not at its best. So I decided to go up to the towers and see if I could find a spot out of the wind to try and sea watch for a while.

A Kestrel was hanging in the wind by the towers, intent on whatever it was hunting. It is amazing how they can stay almost motionless with so little wing movement. I managed to get a couple of photos and thoroughly enjoyed watching it.

Kestrel hanging in the wind

Kestrel hovering

Once I reached the towers I found a good spot out of the wind and waited to see what did or did not fly past. The sea was very quiet and there was very little going on out there. I did manage to see three Red-throated Divers and a Great Crested Grebe but that really was about it. I had hoped to perhaps pick up a few new birds for the year but I appeared to be out of luck. There was, however, a steady stream of gulls going west so I spent some time happily trying to get some photos of them. I had a very smart Common Gull go past and also a Herring Gull whose eye just caught the light as it passed me.

Common Gull

Herring Gull

A single Brent Goose flew west and gave some nice views as it did so.

Brent Goose

A juvenile Herring Gull gave good views of both its upper wing, and a particularly good view of its underwing. It was very nice to have the gulls come so close and to see them at eye level.

Juvenile Herring Gull

Juvenile Herring Gull

The sea was quite rough but not as rough as I expected considering how strong the wind was. It was hitting the rocks but not causing massive amounts of spray. I tried to catch some spray on a photo but each time I tried it was suddenly less. Strange how that goes. Out to sea I could see it was raining and a partial rainbow appeared briefly.

Sea spray - Reculver

Rainbow

There was a good movement of Common Gulls with at least 40 moving through while I was there. I had one well marked individual go past and the photos I took in sunshine and then in the shade of the towers shadow show how much difference the light can make to appearance and colour.

Common Gull

Common Gull

Another passing Common Gull gave a spectacular view of its underwing. Unfortunately I missed a very smart Cormorant going past in full breeding plumage. I only managed to grab a shot as it disappeared from view. I had forgotten just how handsome they are in breeding plumage.

Common Gull

Cormorant - breeding plumage

A couple of Herring Gull went past giving good views of an upperwing and underwing respectively. I will need to work at getting much better at both ageing identification in gulls and gull identification full stop.

Herring Gull

Herring Gull

I had enjoyed my time at the towers, I have not done a seawatch for a very long time. It might not have produced any new birds for the year but it was good fun. I finished off with a juvenile Herring Gull and a Common Gull passing below me, not a view I usually see.

Juvenile Herring Gull

Common Gull

Birds seen this visit include: 1 Kestrel, c40 Common Gull, 120 Herring Gull, 50 Black-headed Gull, 1 Brent Goose, 3 Red-throated Diver, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 24 Mallard, 15 Mute Swan, 2 Pied Wagtail, 1 Blackbird, 15 Cormorant

Short-eared in off the sea - Reculver 19/10/18

I headed along to Reculver late morning and had a slow walk along the sea wall, walking a little then sitting and watching the sea. There was a north westerly wind with cloud, then as the day progressed, increasing amounts of sunshine. From the car park I had a single Shelduck going west. There was also a distant group of Brent Geese going west.

I headed along the sea wall and on the whole the sea was very quiet. There was an immature Cormorant on one of the poles and it appears to be moulting, presumably into adult plummage. 

immature Cormorant

I enjoyed watching the Stonechats again and one was a little nearer so I tried for a photo. They are such gorgeous little birds. 

Stonechat

A flock of 5 Little Egrets went west.

Little Egrets

While I was sat looking out to sea I saw a bird coming in on the sea from the north. I thought, at first, it was a raptor as it glided on V shaped wings in between flapping. As it got closer though it was clear that it was an owl. It continued to come in and flew past me, over the sea wall, and after a brief fly round it landed in the oyster farm. It was a smart Short-eared Owl and definitely made my day. They may not be the best of photos but I felt lucky to get them. 

Short-eared Owl

Short-eared Owl

Groups of Brent Geese were moving west, the largest group was 103 and the smallest 2. 15 also moved east. 

Brent Geese

I also saw 15 Starling come in off the sea and also another 110 in total move west. Two groups of Common Scoter moved west totalling 26 in all.

A Rock Pipit was feeding along the line of seaweed and debris left as the tide retreated. It was nice to be able to take some photos. They are handsome birds in their own right. 

Rock Pipit

Rock Pipit

It was nice to catch up with the Kingfisher again. I love watching it. 3 Eider flew east and I was lucky enough to get some photos. 

Eider

I finished the day with another Stonechat giving me some very good views. I had found it difficult to walk today so I did not manage to go very far but it had been good to just sit and watch the sea and I had enjoyed my visit.

Birds seen this visit include: 307 Brent Geese west, 1 Shelduck west, 26 Common Scoter west, 3 Eider east, 1 Sandwich Tern, 36 Chaffinch west, 1 Brambling west, 34 Skylark west, 36 Meadow Pipit west and also 28 present, 1 Short-eared Owl in off the sea from the north and landed in the oyster farm, 5 Little Egret in a group west and 5 present, 8 Grey Heron, 1 Red-throated Diver on the sea, 1 Rock Pipit, 6 Pied Wagtail, 15 Starling in off the sea and 110 west, 2 Dunlin west, 15 Turnstone, 14 Oystercatcher, 25 Redshank, 3 Ringed Plover, 1 Curlew, 1 Kingfisher, 170 Linnet, 7 Stonechat, 2 Corn Bunting, 1 Common Buzzard, 2 Kestrel.