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.

Whinchats, Knot and Bar-tailed Godwits - Shuart to Reculver 02/09/20

I paid a visit to Shuart this morning and on the walk down the road had a small group of 7 Swallows on the wires, a mix of adults and juveniles. A Chiffchaff flicked up from the hedgerow and another 2 were calling further down with a single Willow Warbler working its way along the hedgerow.

Swallow

Swallows

As I had a wander down the track I saw a couple of beautifully fresh and bright immature Willow Warblers and enjoyed watching them as they made their way through the hedgerow. Several Migrant Hawkers were on the wing and one was returning to persistently hover over one of the dykes giving the chance to try for some flight photos..

Migrant Hawker

Migrant Hawker

It appeared fairly quiet as I came past the stables. 3 male Blackcap were in one of the Blackberry bushes and 2 Stonechat were on the fence at the back of one of the paddocks. A charm of 35 Goldfinches swirled round as they moved from Teasels to Thistles. Another Stonechat was by the sea wall as I came up onto it. A flock of c150 Starling appeared to be flycatching as they swooped and turned above me. The tide was mostly in and as I started along the wall I could see 17 Turnstone on the rocks.

Turnstones

I was pleased to see 2 Whinchat  with a third seen a little further along. They seemed very wary of the people passing on the sea wall and tended to keep their distance.

Whinchat

Whinchat

A couple of juvenile Stonechats were begging from their parents. They are beautifully marked little birds. 

juvenile Stonechat

adult and juvenile Stonechat

As I headed along the sea wall it became increasingly overcast and noticeably cooler. I saw a good mix and numbers of waders roosting at various points as I made my way towards Coldharbour. 3 Teal flew east and a little further along 4 were a fair distance out on the sea but gradually drifted a little closer in. A short while later 4 Teal flew east and I thought the ones on the sea had taken off but they were still present.

Teal

Teal

Small flocks of Ringed Plover flew past now and then giving the opportunity to try for some flight photos. An adult Dunlin showed its black belly patch well as it came into land. 

Ringed Plover

Dunlin and Ringed Plover

A Knot flying east in the company of 3 Oystercatcher was a welcome sight.

Knot and Oystercatchers

Pied Wagtails were busily feeding along the shore with 3 Yellow Wagtails working their way along the tide line. 3 Bar-tailed Godwit flying east were a good addition to the waders seen today.

Bar-tailed Godwits

Coldharbour had the usual few Black-headed Gulls in attendance and 7 Redshank roosting on one of the banks. 4 Goldfinch were amongst the thistle heads. As I carried on to Reculver I saw another 77 Ringed Plover roosting on the beach on the high tide line roost with 40 Sanderling, 12 Turnstone and 5 Dunlin. A Hobby was over the far edge of the fields and another 3 Stonechat were busy insect catching. The last part of the walk to Reculver was fairly quiet and I finished the visit with a good view of a Carrion Crow as it banked.

Carrion Crow

Birds seen this visit included: 7 Swallow, 5 Chiffchaff, Great Tits, Blue Tits, 2 Long-tailed Tit, 4 Willow Warbler, 8 Blackcap, 4 Chaffinch, 3 Wren, 1 Robin, 4 Blackbirds, 1 Stock Dove, Woodpigeons, 2 Collared Dove, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Moorhen, 2 Magpie, 43 Linnet, 8 Reed Warbler, 4 Whitethroat, 39 Goldfinch, 6 Stonechat, 150 Starling, House Sparrows, Black-headed Gulls, Herring Gulls, 3 Great Black-backed Gull, 15 Turnstone, 12 Pied Wagtail, 3 Whinchat, 1 Sedge Warbler, 98 Oystercatcher, 189 Ringed Plover, 2 Grey Plover, 3 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Meadow Pipit, 49 Turnstone, 46 Sanderling, 22 Dunlin, 4 Redshank, 11 Teal, 7 Reed Bunting, 3 Bar-tailed Godwit, 3 Sandwich Tern, 7 Redshank, 2 Little Egret, 1 Hobby, Carrion Crows

Pipit on the Rocks - Reculver 03/03/19

As there was just enough time for a short visit to Reculver, after work, I decided to head up to the towers and see if there was anything moving out to sea. There was a strong south westerly wind so it seemed unlikely but you never know. The sea appeared quiet with just a single Great Crested Grebe on it and apart from a few Herring Gulls there was nothing passing the towers. I am still trying to get to grips with using burst mode for birds in flight so I practiced on anything that flew past but I have a lot to learn and have not done very well with them. The bird in the last couple of photos had a very well defined tail band. I still find ageing and sometimes even telling if it actually is a Herring Gull or something else quite difficult. I certainly need a lot more practice with gulls.

Herring Gull

2nd to 3rd Year Herring Gull

2nd to 3rd year Herring Gull

2nd to 3rd Year Herring Gull

2nd Year Herring Gull

2nd Year Herring Gull

I had a Carrion Crow flying below me so tried for a photo as that is not a view I normally see.

Carrion Crow

I had a look down onto the rocks below and saw a small bird fly over and land. It stayed distant but I was pleased to see that it was a Rock Pipit (107). It was very active and in poor light but I tried for some photos.

Rock Pipit

Rock Pipit - head on

Rock Pipit

I walked along the sea wall for a little way but it certainly wasn't easy in the wind. I sheltered at the base of the wall for a while and just enjoyed watching whatever came my way. Large numbers of Cormorants were coming in off the sea and presumably heading towards Stodmarsh. I saw close to 1000 in the time I was watching. Once again, I tried for some photos.

Cormorants out at sea

Cormorants overhead

Cormorants

Herring Gulls were still passing every now and then.

Adult Herring Gull - underwings

Adult Herring Gull - upperwing

Adult Herring Gull - underwing

I finished off with a passing Ringed Plover before making my way back. If anything the wind had increased, but it may just have been that I was facing into it now.

Ringed Plover

I was pleased that I had a chance to get out and well chuffed at finally having caught up with a Rock Pipit for the year.

Dancing Magpies and Owls - Reculver 27/02/19

I paid a short visit to Reculver after work this afternoon. It was beautifully sunny with next to no wind. The weather is due to change from tomorrow so I thought I would make the most of it while I could.

On the rocks, from the car park, a female Pied Wagtail was preening. She appeared to be missing the feathers on the back of her neck and on part of her head. I don't know if that would be part of her moult or whether there is another reason for it. Her other feathers all appeared fine.

Pied Wagtail

Pied Wagtail showing missing neck feathers

Pied Wagtail showing missing head and neck feathers

The sea appeared very quiet and I could only see a Great Crested Grebe on the water. The water was almost mirror calm and gave some great reflections as some Brent Geese and then a Cormorant flew low over the sea.

Brent Geese and reflections

Cormorant and reflection

A passing Carrion Crow looked stunning with the light shining through its flight feathers.

Carrion Crow with backlit flight feathers

A single Dunlin was feeding along the shoreline and was joined briefly by a Ringed Plover whereupon they both flew towards the wader roosting point, giving some nice views as they did.

Dunlin

Dunlin and Ringed Plover in flight

Ringed Plover and Dunlin in flight

I did not have enough time to walk very far up the sea wall as I had an appointment that I needed to get back for. It meant I was a bit far away when 2 Short-eared Owls came up over the oyster farm, as they were more towards the green bank end rather than where I was, but I thoroughly enjoyed watching them. I could not tell if they were fighting or amorous when they were near each other. Certainly each time they became close to each other they appeared to clash. I was a little too distant to see quite what was going on. When hunting it is amazing how quickly they can change direction, suddenly banking and then diving as they see prey. It was just beautiful to be able to watch them in the sunshine. The photos are not great but they make good memory shots and I felt very lucky to be able to get them.

Short-eared Owls

Short-eared Owls

Short-eared Owl - sudden dive having spotted prey

Short-eared Owl on patrol

Short-eared Owl on patrol

Short-eared Owl - sudden bank having spotted something

Short-eared Owl on patrol

Short-eared Owl hovering

I could have stayed watching them all afternoon but I needed to start heading back so I made my back towards Reculver. There were a couple of Magpies that appeared to be flying in unison at times. I am not sure if they were displaying or showing solidarity in defence of their territory as it started when 3 other Magpies appeared. Whatever the reason, they were a joy to watch. They almost appeared to be doing a choreographed dance at times.

Dancing Magpies

Two Little Grebes were on one of the oyster farm lagoons.They are gorgeous little birds. One of them was quite shy but the other posed nicely.

Little Grebe

I finished off the visit with some good views of an adult Herring Gull. They are handsome birds. The legs appeared very pale with a yellowish tinge in the field and when it flew it appeared to have reduced white in the wing tip.

Herring Gull

Herring Gull underwing

Herring Gull upperwing

It may only have been a short visit but it was great to be out in the sunshine with next to no wind. There was no doubt that to be able to watch the Short-eared Owls was just the icing on the cake.

Birds seen this visit include: 1 Blackbird, 5 House Sparrow, Black-headed Gulls, Herring Gulls, 3 Great Black-backed Gull, 1 Common Gull, 3 Pied Wagtail, 15 Brent Geese, Cormorants, 7 Carrion Crow, 1 Dunlin, 5 Ringed Plover, 5 Turnstone, 3 Stonechat, 2 Short-eared Owl, 5 Magpie, 2 Pheasant, 1 Grey Partridge calling, 2 Little Grebe, 8 Mute Swan, 12 Linnet, 7 Meadow Pipit, 2 Wren, 1 Robin, 2 Dunnock, 10 Mallard, 1 Shelduck, 1 Shoveler