An Obliging Cetti's Warbler and a Hungry Gull - Reculver to Chambers Wall 04/06/21

With a north westerly wind and the threat of rain coming later I headed round the towers at Reculver on a sunny morning with rapidly building cloud. Four Swift were hawking for insects above and the song of Blackcap drifted over from the far hedgerow. As I started along the sea wall a Herring Gull flew in clutching a fish in its bill and landed on the beach. The fish was rolled and appeared to be a cut piece of raw fish rather than a freshly caught fish.

Herring Gull and fish

Herring Gull and fish

A passing immature Herring Gull spotted it instantly and pursued the adult who dropped down onto the sea and despite the size of the rolled piece of fish it somehow managed to mostly swallow it. As it tried to lift off it managed to completely swallow it but it appeared to be stuck in its throat, showing as a visible bulge, and the gull was clearly finding it difficult to gain height. Moments later the bulge in its throat had gone and it settled back down onto the sea, presumably to give it a chance to digest its meal a bit. The immature Herring Gull tried dive bombing a couple of times but seeing no further sign of the fish went to try its luck elsewhere. 

A pair of Tufted Duck flew up from the oyster farm and headed inland and a little while later another headed in the same direction. 2 Marsh Harrier, a male and a female were up at the back while out to sea a distant Fulmar flew east. A few Swallow were hawking for insects and Whitethroat and a Sedge Warbler were in good song as I made my way to Coldharbour. Two Dunnock were chasing each other through one of the bushes by the sea wall and a single Great Crested Grebe was on the sea. The Yellow Horned Poppies were in flower giving vivid splashes of colour amongst the shingle.

Yellow Horned Poppy

Yellow Horned Poppy

A Sandwich Tern was out to sea and 2 Fulmar flew east as I approached Coldharbour while on Coldharbour itself there were a couple of Redshank and 3 Little Egrets. A pair of Oystercatchers were calling noisily from the shingle bank at the back and briefly mated. A male Tufted Duck was in its usual spot on the dyke opposite.

Tufted Duck

I tried again to see or hear a Grasshopper Warbler but unfortunately still didn't have any success. It really is turning into a bogey bird for me this year and I am proving to be particularly inept at catching up with one. Still, never say never, it may still happen. More of the darker patch of Salsify were in flower and very attractive.

Salsify

Salsify

Salsify

A small Snail showed a beautiful branching pattern on its semi-translucent shell as it made its way along a stem.

Snail

Snail

A micro moth was resting up and on looking it up, once I got home, I think that it is a Carnation Tortrix Cacoecimorpha pronubana.

Carnation Tortrix Cacoecimorpha pronubana

Carnation Tortrix Cacoecimorpha pronubana

I could hear a Mediterranean Gull calling and a few moments later two adult Meditereranean Gulls flew over heading out to sea.

Mediterranean Gull

Mediterranean Gull

I was lucky that the rain had skirted round me so far but with the sky looking more threatening I decided to head for Chambers Wall. A Nomada Bee was resting up and I think that it may be a Marsham's Nomad Bee Nomada marshamella but I never got complete views of the pattern on its abdomen.

? Marsham's Nomad Bee Nomada marshamella

? Marsham's Nomad Bee Nomada marshamella

I met Chris and Anne who had heard and seen a singing Grasshopper Warbler near the railway embankment and had got a lovely photograph of it. I really hoped that it might still be their by the time I got there. Maybe today would be the day for one after all. A Cetti's Warber was in good voice but unfortunately I didn't have any success with the Grasshopper Warbler once I reached the railway embankment. I would liked to have spent longer trying for it but with drops of rain already falling and clearly some very heavy rain heading straight for me I decided to carry on. Another Cetti's Warbler was singing away and a Sedge Warbler was busy collecting insects for its young.

Sedge Warbler

Sedge Warbler

The Cetti's Warbler flew in and chased the Sedge Warbler following which it broke into frantic bursts of song moving from bush to bush within its territory. It was cycling through them rapidly and regularly returning to the bush it had chased the Sedge Warbler from but remaining out of sight. With the sky getting blacker by the minute I risked waiting and luckily for me on the 3rd loop round it perched briefly in the open allowing some good if fairly distant views. It made my day as I hear them a lot more than see them and these are the best views I have had of Cetti's Warbler for a long time.

Cetti's Warbler

Cetti's Warbler

Cetti's Warbler

Well chuffed, I paused to admire a Tipula lunata and a Variable Damselfly and then my luck weather wise ran out and I got soaked as a prolonged torrential shower moved through. It brought the visit to a decidedly soggy end but it had been good to be out and seeing the Cetti's Warbler so well made getting soaked well worthwhile.

Tipula lunata

Variable Damselfly

Birds seen this visit included: 4 Blackbird, 6 Swift, 4 Blackcap, House Sparrows, Starlings, 2 Collared Dove, Herring Gulls, Black-headed Gull, 4 Meadow Pipit, 12 Whitethroat, 6 Linnet, 4 Stonechat, 4 Reed Bunting, 14 Mallard, Cormorants, 6 Tufted Duck, 10 Swallow, 9 Sedge Warbler, 5 Ringed Plover, 2 Marsh Harrier, 2 Lapwing, 2 Magpie, 4 Dunnock, 3 Fulmar east, 4 Little Egret, 10 Oystercatcher, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 7 Reed Warbler, 2 Redshank, 4 Wren, 1 Sandwich Tern, 2 Mediterranean Gull, 7 Mute Swan, 3 Turnstone, 5 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Lesser Whitethroat,1 Yellow Wagtail

Blackcaps, Chiffchaff and a Whitethroat - Shuart to Chambers Wall 09/10/20

On arrival at Shuart several Chiffchaff were active around the car park area and I saw seven by the time I started out along the track. A Great Spotted and Green Woodpecker called from the trees. A Wren scolded as I passed by and overhead a flock of 28 Siskin flew west. It was a beautifully sunny morning and Skylarks were passing by overhead heading west. A male and female Blackcap appeared to be enjoying the sunshine.

male and female Blackcap

Two Lesser Redpoll flew low over calling loudly and were a welcome addition to the mornings birds. A Wood Pigeon eyed me warily as I passed by but otherwise appeared unperturbed.

Wood Pigeon

Two vocal Cetti's Warblers were sounding off against each other. Each time the one behind me called so the one from a little further along the track responded. A flock of 8 Long-tailed Tit were moving fast through the hedgerow as they searched for food. I love watching them and one was obliging enough to pause in a gap before moving on.

Long-tailed Tit

A single Crossbill flew over heading west and calling away and the hedgerow was alive with Chiffchaff busily searching for insects.

Chiffchaff

A Brambling flew over calling and small flocks of Chaffinch were moving west. The air was filled with the calls of Skylarks as they went over and a good number of Blackcap were working their way through various sections of the hedgerow. A Red Admiral Butterfly was sunning itself on the ivy.

Red Admiral

A Cetti's Warbler came tantalisingly close to coming out into the open but at the last minute dropped out of sight again. A scruffy Whitethroat gave pause when I caught sight of it but it never changed its position and was watching warily the approach of a group of loudly chatting dog walkers. As they neared it shot through to the back of the bush and disappeared. I waited to see if it would reappear but with no sign of it I carried on. I haven't seen a Whitethroat for a couple of weeks now.

Cetti's Warbler

Whitethroat

Another Blackcap was by the railway crossing and I had enjoyed seeing the numbers of them that I had today. At the stables a feisty Dunnock was chasing a rival repeatedly before returning to a favourite perch to keep watch on its rival's movements. Otherwise it was overall quieter than my last visit.

Dunnock

As I neared the sea wall one of the Corn Bunting present was tucked into one of the nearer bushes but keeping a wary eye on passers by.

Corn Bunting

The tide was already a fair way out as I came up onto the sea wall. Sanderling and Oystercatchers were along the shore. The westerly wind that had been very light had begun to pick up. The walk to Plumpudding was fairly quiet. Small flocks of both Chaffinch and Skylark were still moving west. Just past Plumpudding a couple of White Wagtail were on the sea wall. 5 Redshank were on Coldharbour but that also was quiet otherwise. Walking was becoming very difficult so I decided to head up to Chambers Wall as it was closer for a pick up point. I did not do much counting on the way through. A Red Admiral butterfly was showing its underwing pattern well making the contrast between that and its upperwing pattern even more striking.

Red Admiral Butterfly

Red Admiral Butterfly

It was nice to come across some Goldcrests. They are beautiful little birds and it was a treat to be able to take a break and just enjoy watching their acrobatic manoeuvres as they searched for insects.

Goldcrest

Several Migrant Hawkers were on the wing and I finished the visit with a perched male soaking up the warmth from the sun.

Migrant Hawker

Birds seen this visit included: 2 Green Woodpecker, 46 Chiffchaff, Wood Pigeons, 7 Wren, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, Blue Tits, Great Tits, 17 Robin, 8 Dunnock, 208 Chaffinch, 31 Siskin, Skylarks, 25 Blackbird, 15 Pied Wagtail including 2 alba, 2 Jay, 1 Pheasant, 4 Mallard, 9 Magpie, 8 Cetti's Warbler, 8 Long-tailed Tit, 19 Blackcap, 4 Mute Swan, 2 Lesser Redpoll, 17 Meadow Pipit, 1 Crossbill, 1 Ring-necked Parakeet, 1 Brambling, 2 House Martin, 2 Common Buzzard, 6 Reed Bunting, House Sparrows, Starlings, 9 Linnet, 4 Corn Bunting, 24 Goldfinch, 43 Sanderling, 84 Oystercatcher, 2 Grey Heron, 15 Turnstone, 25 Ringed Plover, 5 Redshank, 4 Kestrel, 3 Goldcrest, 3 Swallow,  

Red-legged Partridges and Cetti's - Shuart to Reculver 05/10/18

I had a slow walk from Shuart to Reculver today. It was a fine and warm day with a coolish light north westerly wind. I did keep my eye out for my stick in case it turned up but unfortunately not. I still can not quite believe that somebody took it.

The visit started well with 8 Red-legged Partridge from the road as we approached the pull in. They gave very nice views and looked very handsome in the sunshine.

Red-legged Partridge

Red-legged Partridge

I had a walk up to the bridleway and there were Blue Tits and Great Tits calling, Robin, Wren, Blackbird and Dunnock and lots of Wood Pigeons. A Great Spotted Woodpecker called, as did a Mistle Thrush and several Chaffinch were calling and feeding in the trees.

I retraced my steps and had a walk down the main track. A Common Buzzard was thermalling and I also had 6 Magpie. A Marsh Frog took exception to my presence and leapt back into the dyke from where it had been sunning itself. There was a Crow who appeared to be just playing high in the air, wheeling and diving. A handsome Red Admiral butterfly was on some ivy and allowed a photo. 

Red Amiral Butterfly

A Chiffchaff called but otherwise it did appear to be very quiet. I also saw a couple of Blackcap fleetingly. A Common Darter was more obliging and posed nicely.

Common Darter

A Grey Heron was working its way along a far field edge and Skylarks were passing overhead at regular intervals. A small flock of Long-tailed tits were feeding in the bush by the railway line and a Cetti’s Warbler was alarm calling in a bush along the railway line. I couldn’t see what it was alarm calling at. Though it was distant for the camera I tried for some photos. Although not good, they are the first photos of Cetti’s Warbler that I have managed to get and I was really pleased to get them.

Cetti's Warbler

Cetti's Warbler

Cetti's Warbler

In a field near the stables there were 120 Black-headed Gulls and 1, what I think is an immature Lesser Black-backed Gull. I certainly need to get much better at gulls.

Lesser Black-backed Gull

Some House Sparrows and Starlings, near the stables, looked lovely in the light. I could see 4 Pied Wagtails in with the horses, 2 of which were probably White Wagtails.

Starling

I had lunch while having a rest on the sea wall and saw 7 Sandwich Tern off shore. They are lovely birds.

Sandwich Tern

Sandwich Tern

I worked my way back to Reculver. Apart from a few Meadow Pipits and Linnet there was nothing on Plumpudding Island and nothing at all on Coldharbour and no sign of the Snow Buntings. The tide was on the turn and I could see a Curlew feeding and I also had a Grey Plover. A Curlew's bill really is quite something.

Curlew

I had a Small Copper rest briefly on the sea wall and a Clouded Yellow flew past me. I really hoped that it would settle but it did not. I would love a photo of one.

Small Copper

I saw at least 11 Stonechat but all were too distant for photos today. They really are gorgeous little birds. Sea mist kept rolling in and visibility would go from good to thick mist. It could be sunny on one side of me and in thick mist the other.

Sea Mist

As the mist cleared I had 3 Grey Partridge in the old caravan site. I was very pleased to see 3 Wall Brown butterflies along the Roman wall. 2 were flying round each other constantly but the third was more settled and allowed some photos. They are beautiful butterflies.

Wall Brown Butterflies

I had a quick look at the bushes near the caravan park and got somewhat of a scolding from a House Sparrow for my troubles and also saw some gorgeous red leaves. I am not sure what the plant is. It made a nice end to an enjoyable day.

Red Leaves

Birds I saw  this visit included: Red-legged Partridge 8, Wood Pigeons, Blue Tits 7, Great Tit 8, Robin 4, Blackbird 2, Great Spotted Woodpecker 1, Chaffinch 10, Reed Bunting 5, Grey Heron 3, Wren 5, Dunnock 3, Cetti’s Warbler 2, Blakcap 2, Redwing 1, Long-tailed Tits 7, Mistle Thrush 1, Magpie 8, Common Buzzard 2, Chiffchaff 8, Mallard 6, Sandwich Tern 7, Oystercatcher 44, Turnstone 18, Ringed Plover 12, Grey Plover 1, Curlew 1, Redshank 24, Meadow Pipits 25, Skylark 10, Corn Bunting 1, Reed Bunting 5, Stonechat 11, Linnet 156, Pied Wagtail 7, Goldfinch 7, Kestrel 4, Little Egret 8, Mute Swan 5, Starling 450, House Sparrow 60, Great Black-backed Gull 3, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, 5 Collared Dove, Grey Partridge 3, Carrion Crow, Rook, Jackdaw. I also saw 1 Clouded Yellow butterfly and 3 Wall Brown butterflies.