Swift Flypast - Chambers Wall to Shuart 06/05/19

I came down to Chambers Wall after work and aimed to try for a walk through to Shuart as this would give the wind behind me, and hopefully some shelter from the wind by the bushes. The weather had turned very cloudy with a cool north westerly wind. A Common Buzzard was spiralling high above as I walked down the road and a passing jogger flushed 2 Red-legged Partridge from the side of the path. Skylarks were singing away and a passing Yellow Wagtail called as it flew over while 2 Reed Buntings were trying to out sing each other. A Sedge and a Reed Warbler singing gave a good chance to compare their song.

The area around the car park was quite quiet. A Blackbird was alarm calling repeatedly but I could not see what the cause for it was. Whatever it was must have then moved on as the Blackbird lost interest and went back to looking for food. A small flock of 8 Corn Buntings flew in to the bushes behind the hedge and I could hear a Cuckcoo calling in the distance. A large Drinker Moth caterpillar gave some nice views, tucked away in the vegetation.

Drinker Moth Caterpillar

I had hoped to catch up with the damselfly I saw the other day but the weather was so cool that there were very few insects around and I did not see any damselflies at all. I caught the sight of a metallic green sheen and saw, what I think is, a Cynomya mortuorum that belongs to the family of Calliphoridae - Blowflies. It was one of the few insects I saw on the way down to the railway crossing.

Cynomya mortuorum

Cynomya mortuorum

Whitethroat were in good voice on the walk down. A Little Egret flew down the river and settled briefly on top of a bush before moving on. As I started my way along the embankment I saw a micro moth. On looking it up it appears to belong to the Choreutidae family and may be a Nettle Tap Anthophila fabriciana.

Micro moth - ? Nettle Tap Anthophila fabriciana

Whitethroats continued to belt out their song, with Sedge Warblers giving them a run for their money. A Cetti's warbler exploded into song right next to me but I could not see it. I was very pleased to see my first Swift's of the spring with 2 moving west. A little further on I had another one west.

Swifts

It appeared that the pair of Mute Swan had not carried on with the nest I saw them building the other day so I wonder if they have found a better spot. It certainly looked no different to how it looked the other day. The patch of water in the field was empty today apart from a Lapwing at its edge. I was hoping to hear the Nightingale again but did not have any luck

On the walk down to Shuart I had a Cuckoo explode out of the reed bed beside the path as I walked past. It flew up, banked sharply and flew behind the hedge. It is the closest I have ever been to one and I would have loved a photo but would never have been quick enough. It was the definite highlight of the walk back.

As I left Shuart I had some very good views of a pair of Red-legged Partridge. They are very handsome birds.

Red-legged Partridge

Red-legged Partridge

Red-legged Partridge

There were also a couple of Hare's in a ploughed field. They were very distant but surprisingly noticeable.

Hare's

It had been good to have some time out after work and an enjoyable visit.

Birds seen this visit include: 1 Common Buzzard, Blue Tit, Skylarks, 5 Red-legged Partridge, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 3 Reed Bunting, 19 Sedge Warbler, 2 Reed Warbler, 1 Meadow Pipit, Herring Gulls, Black-headed Gulls, 5 Blackbird, 6 Linnet, 1 Dunnock, 31 Whitethroat, Carrion Crow, 9 Chaffinch, 2 Cuckoo, 8 Corn Bunting, 5 Wren, 4 Chiffchaff, 6 Blackcap, 5 Cetti's Warbler, 8 Swallow, 2 House Martin, 6 Sand Martin, 1 Little Egret, 3 Great Tit, 8 Magpie, Goldfinch, 2 Grey Heron, 3 Swift west, 2 Long-tailed Tit, Cormorant, 1 Mute Swan, 1 Grey Partridge, 5 Mallard, 2 Lapwing, 1 Pheasant, 3 Lesser Whitethroat,

An Obliging Peregrine - Shuart to Chambers Wall 24/04/19

I had a day off today and decided to try for a walk from Shuart to Chambers Wall via the embankment. 3 Blackcap were in good voice when I arrived at Shuart, joined by all the regulars in song. I saw 2 Red-legged Partridge from the top path and another two in the sheep field. They are handsome birds.

Red-legged Partridge

I could hear a Cuckoo calling very nearby as I walked down the track and hoped to be able to catch up with it but a large tractor coming down the track put paid to that as, once the tractor had gone, I could hear the Cuckoo still calling but this time from much further away. Still, it was lovely to hear it. As I had just come up to a gap in the hedge I had a look down and a female Pheasant had popped her head up to check what all the noise was about, as the tractor moved through, before she continued down the furrow in the field.

female Pheasant

The tractor turned off and as it crossed over a dyke into the next field it flushed a Green Sandpiper. 2 Yellow Wagtails called as they flew over. I could hear a Mediterranean Gull calling and had a single bird flying west. Within a short space of time this was followed by another 2, and a group of 4 all moving west.

Mediterranean Gull

There had been rain threatening at times and a light shower passed over as I reached the embankment. Luckily it did not last long and had the advantage of leaving the gift of a partial rainbow as it cleared. However hard things might be at any particular time seeing a rainbow always lifts my spirits.

Rainbow

I took a short detour to the stables, and enjoyed listening to the 2 singing Lesser Whitethroat before retracing my steps and heading along the embankment. Whitethroat were singing away and there was a pair of Shoveller on the large patch of water in the field together with a Mute Swan. A Peregrine came down to the water for a drink which made the Shoveller disappear in double quick time. I hoped when it flew it might come my way but unfortunately it flew towards Shuart. I was still lucky, though, as I was able to get some photos, even if they are quite distant.

Peregrine

Peregrine

Peregrine

I saw a pair of Mute Swan that were busy nest building. The regular male and female Marsh Harrier were busy hunting with the male regularly displaying in between.

male Marsh Harrier

A smart Tortoiseshell butterfly poised very nicely. Unfortunately while I had the camera in macro to take that a Cuckoo chose that moment to fly past and I did not manage to focus properly on it. Still, it makes a good memory shot.

Tortoiseshell Butterfly

Cuckoo

An Orange Tip Butterfly was very active despite the wind having picked up a lot by now. It did pause briefly on some blossom flowers enabling me to grab a shot. The underwings are beautifully marked. There was also a Squash Bug which I think is a Dock Bug. They are striking insects.

Orange Tip Butterfly

Squash Bug - Dock Bug

As I neared the railway crossing for Chambers Wall I had a Common Carpet Moth.

Common Carpet Moth

I could hear a Cuckoo calling as I approached the railway crossing and could see one perched on top of a bush on the other side, presumably the same one that had flown past me. It made a nice end to the visit.

Cuckoo

Birds seen this visit include: 7 Blackcap, 3 Common Buzzard, 7 Wren, 3 Robin, 5 Dunnock, Wood Pigeons, 2 Song Thrush, 3 Green Woodpecker, 4 Red Legged Partridge, 2 Sparrowhawk, Blue Tits, Great Tits, Chaffinches, Jackdaws, Carrion Crows, 15 Whitethroat, Stock Dove, 3 Chiffchaff, 8 Blackbird, 1 Mistle Thrush, 2 Cuckoo, 1 Grey Heron, 9 Sedge Warbler, 1 Jay, Herring Gulls, 4 Cetti's Warbler, Skylarks, 6 Mute Swan, 1 Green Sandpiper, 6 Yellow Wagtail, 7 Mediterranean Gull west, 7 Reed Bunting, 1 Pheasant, 2 Mallard, 2 Magpie, 11 Goldfinches, 16 Linnet, 4 Lesser Whitethroat, 5 Pied Wagtail, 7 Swallow, House Sparrows, Starlings, 2 Collared Dove, 2 Shoveller, 2 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Peregrine

New Arrivals and a Firecrest - Reculver to Chambers Wall 17/04/19

Due to work and other commitments I have not been able to bird watch since the 5th April so it was good to have the opportunity for a walk from Reculver to Chambers Wall today. There was a sea mist when I arrived at Reculver and it remained throughout the visit but luckily it never progressed to becoming foggy, so that was a bonus. The tide was almost fully in but on the turn and there was a light north easterly wind.

As I walked up to the towers I could see the immature male Eider off shore and a couple of Great Black-backed Gulls were resting on the sea but otherwise the sea was very quiet. I checked some of the vegetation just past the towers and had what I think is a Tawney Mining Bee and a Common Carder Bumble Bee. I had not realised how long a bee's tongue is, at least it is on the Common Carder Bumble Bee here and appears to hinge.

Tawney Mining Bee

Common Carder Bumble Bee

Common Carder Bumble Bee

I had a walk up to the pumping station and back and had a confiding Linnet that was singing a quiet sub song. I also came across what I think is an Ichneumon Wasp but haven't been able to narrow it down any more than that. A Little Egret gave a fly past and the air was full of Oystercatcher song and calls as several pairs displayed.

Linnet

Ichneumon Wasp

Many of the Alexander leaves are covered in yellow spots on the top surface with yellow raised areas on the undersurface. I wondered what had caused them and on looking it up it appears to be galls of the rust fungus Puccinia smyrnii.

Galls of Rust Fungus Puccinia smyrnii

I could hear Sandwich Terns (121) calling and had 3 east out to sea. It is lovely to hear their calls again and I saw 5 in total today. I also had 1 Fulmar and 3 Gannet east while a single Curlew flew west. A Yellow Wagtail (122) came in off the sea and headed inland. I was pleased to catch up with my first Swallow of spring and had a total of 7 Swallow (123) east. Sedge Warbler numbers had increased a lot since my last visit and I saw at least 16 today. Butterflies abounded with good numbers of Peacock, a couple of Tortoiseshell, 2 Large White and a Holly Blue.

A pair of Stonechat were active along the parallel track. I also saw another male further along having a disagreement with a Reed Bunting.

Stonechat

As I approached Coldharbour I could see 11 Turnstone roosting on one of the groynes and one of them was moulting into summer plummage. Coldharbour itself was very quiet with just 5 Redshank and 6 Black-headed Gulls. I had an eye to eye view of a Reed Bunting as it peered at me through a gap in a bush.

Reed Bunting

On the walk up to Chambers Wall a Peacock Butterfly gave very nice views of its upperwings and underwings. From the underwing you would never think that it was as colourful as it is once it opens its wings.

Peacock Butterfly

Peacock Butterfly

A Sedge Warbler was singing away and, although a little distant and against the light, I tried for a photo where upon it promptly stopped singing. But I was still pleased to get it.

Sedge Warbler

Digger Wasps were active and this one was checking out a hole in the ground. More than one appeared to be checking the hole out. I also came across an Alderfly resting on a stem. Apparently they only live for two or three days. I had not realised that the adult life span was so short.

Digger Wasp

Alderfly

A Cetti's Warbler was singing away and a couple of Corn Bunting peeped at me from the back of a bush. A pair of Tufted Duck were in the dyke and Marsh Frogs were calling frequently.

male Tufted Duck

female Tufted Duck

I saw a Firecrest working its way through the back of a bush. Unfortunately it remained mainly obscured but I did manage a couple of shots as its head appeared briefly in small gaps. They are beautiful birds and it was great to see it. Nearby two male Blackcap were competing in song and a female Blackcap appeared to be checking them out.

Firecrest

Firecrest

I finished off the visit with another Alderfly and a 2-spot Ladybird.

Alderfly

2-spot Ladybird

Birds seen this visit: 1 immature male Eider, 8 House Sparrows, 5 Sandwich Tern east, Cormorants, 21 Linnets, 4 Magpie, 3 Starling, 3 Little Egret, 12 Oystercatcher, 3 Pied Wagtail, 1 Fulmar east, 7 Swallow east, 2 Great Black-backed Gulls, 12  Meadow Pipit, 3 Stonechat, 10 Reed Bunting, 3 Gannets east, 4 Pheasant, 6 Mallard, 15 Corn Bunting, 16 Sedge Warbler, 3 Dunnock, male Marsh Harrier, 4 Goldfinch, Skylark, Black-headed Gulls, Herring Gulls, 1 Curlew west,  1 Yellow Wagtail in off the sea, 3 Ringed Plover,  11 Turnstone with 1 moulting into summer plumage, 4 Redshank, 2 Chiffchaff, Great Tit, Carrion Crows, Mute Swans, 1 Common Buzzard, 2 Tufted Duck, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 3 Blackcap, Chaffinches, 1 Firecrest, 1 Little Grebe, 2 Shelduck

Walking Reculver to Chambers Wall - 22/03/19

It was an overcast day at Reculver, today, with a cool south westerly wind. I had a walk through to Chambers Wall and overall it seemed very quiet.

I caught sight of a female Wheatear on rocks on the beach, a little way ahead of me who, unfortunately, was then disturbed by dog walkers and disappeared from view. I could not manage to pick her up again but was pleased I had managed to get a photo, even if a little distant.

female Wheatear

Out to sea was quiet but throughout the visit I did see 12 Teal in groups of 2, 2 and 8. The immature male Eider was much further out today and small groups of Mallard were also on the sea. 2 of the above Teal were tucked in the middle of 4 Mallard. A pair of Oystercatchers were resting on the rocks, both on one leg, presumably to help reduce heat loss.

Oystercatchers

A Ringed Plover was displaying by repeatedly flying back and fore over the beach and out to sea. It must expend a large amount of energy doing it.

Ringed Plover

4 Shelduck came into land on the oyster farm and a female Mute Swan was with a couple of immature Mute Swan. A male Shoveler was feeding on his own and I wondered if a female is on a nest, or if he is a lone bird.

Shelduck

A skulky Chiffchaff was in the bushes near the green bank and a male Dunnock was once again singing his heart out. Corn Bunting song also filled the air and at one point a flock of 38 went up before settling back down again.

Chiffchaff

28 Turnstone were roosting together on some rocks.

Turnstones

I could see a small group of 6 Great Crested Grebe out to sea and two of them started to display to each other. They were pretty distant but I tried for some photos, which though they have not come out very well, do show the raised crests on the birds well and make a nice memory shot. The display is beautiful to watch. They did not display for long before returning to feeding.

Great Crested Grebes displaying

Coldharbour itself was very quiet. A couple of Little Egret were roosting and 5 Black-headed Gulls were roosting on the shingle bank. There was a female Wheatear also on the shingle bank but unfortunately, once again, all the birds were flushed by a dog walker.

female Wheatear

The walk to Chambers wall was very quiet. A male Reed Bunting watched me as I passed and then burst into song when I was a little way away.

Reed Bunting

Each Alexander plant I passed had loads of Yellow Dung flies on it. There must have been hundreds between the various plants.

Yellow Dung Fly

As I crossed the railway line a military helicopter flew past. I don't know what type it is. I was trying to cross the stile as it flew past, hence the rather blurry photo.

Military Helicopter

A Cetti's Warbler was singing away and I added several more Chiffchaff on the walk up. Once again one of them appeared to have something black coating the feathers at the base of its bill.

Chiffchaff

Chiffchaff

I had enjoyed my time out and it was good to have caught up with another couple of Wheatear.

Birds seen this visit include: 12 House Sparrow, 2 Blackbird, Turnstone, Ringed Plover, 8 Redshank, 2 Little Egret, 2 Teal, 4 Shelduck, 2 female Wheatear, 18 Mallard, 3 Mute Swan, 4 Gannet east, 10 Chiffchaff, 2 Reed Bunting, 3 Dunnock, 2 Stonechat, Immature male Eider, 1 male Shoveler, 38 Corn Bunting, 3 Pheasant, 8 Oystercatcher, 6 Great Crested Grebe, 1 male Marsh Harrier, 2 Robin, Skylarks, 4 Magpie, Carrion Crows, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Song Thrush, Cormorants, 7 Goldfinch, 12 Linnet, 2  Great Tit, 4 Blue Tit, 400 Woodpigeons