A Hungry Eider and a Miss - Reculver 08/04/21

It was good to get the chance of paying a short visit to Reculver this morning and it started well with a very handsome adult male Eider off shore. 

male Eider

It was busily fishing for crabs and proved to be very adept at it. Having caught the crab it would hold it by the crab's pincers, and/or legs, and thrash it back and fore through the water until the leg came away. It would then quickly retrieve the crab and go through the process again until most of the appendages were broken off and it could swallow the crab whole. It did appear that at least a couple of the crabs got away as on a couple of occasions the Eider failed to be able to retrieve it after breaking a leg off. I felt very lucky to be able to watch the Eider and it was an absolute pleasure to see although I couldn't help feeling sorry for the crab.

male Eider

male Eider

He had been fishing in peace for a while when it drew the unwelcome attention of a couple of passing Herring Gulls who promptly started to hassle it. The Eider responded by immediately diving and surfacing a little way away. Moments later it was running full pelt on the water before the lift of its wing beats was enough to enable it to lift off from the surface of the sea. Once airborne it carried on west.

A small flock of Linnet were amongst the vegetation on the shingle as I started along the sea wall. Out to sea appeared to be very quiet with just a few passing Herring and Black-headed Gulls and a single Great Black-backed Gull east. It was a beautiful morning with very little wind and every few steps there appeared to be a singing and/or displaying Meadow Pipit. I received a text from Matt Hindle to say that they had had a sub adult male Pallid Harrier but unfortunately I had missed it. I kept a lookout, as I carried on, just in case I was lucky enough for it to come back through. What a great find by Matt, Chris and Anne.  

Small numbers of waders were dotted here and there and out to sea a flock of 24 Common Scoter flew first west then east before settling back down onto the sea.

Common Scoter

Common Scoter

Common Scoter

A couple of smart breeding plumage Cormorants flew west with the back bird looking particularly striking.

Cormorants

I decided to head for Coldharbour and could see a distant Greylag Goose in one of the fields. As I scanned the next field I could see a bird shaped bump which appeared to be a single Golden Plover.

Golden Plover

Golden Plover

I needed to get back as I had an appointment and finished with a Mute Swan that had taken exception to a male Mallard and was pursuing it up the river.

Mute Swan and Mallard

Though I did not manage to catch up with the Pallid Harrier the great thing with bird watching is you never know, I might yet be lucky that it comes back through when I am out. I can but hope anyway.

Birds seen this visit included: 1 male Eider, 10 Linnet, 1 Kestrel, 2 Blackbird, House Sparrows, Wood Pigeons, Cormorants, Herring Gulls, Black-headed Gulls, 1 Great Black-backed Gull, 18 Meadow Pipit, 11 Oystercatcher, 3 Swallow, 11 Mallard, 2 Sedge Warbler, 11 Redshank, 1 Grey Plover, 3 Ringed Plover, 7 Turnstone, 38 Corn Bunting, 5 Reed Bunting, 24 Common Scoter, 2 Mute Swan, 1 Little Egret, 1 Greylag Goose, 1 Golden Plover, 4 Stonechat, 1 Marsh Harrier

Sedge Warblers and a Snow Bunting Encounter - Shuart to Reculver 30/03/21

It was great to be able to head to Shuart today. It has been a long time since I have been able to visit the Reculver area and with a few days holiday from work it was nice to have the whole morning ahead of me. A couple of Red-legged Partridge flew from the field edge as I made my way down the road and near the beginning of the track a handsome male Pheasant looked stunning as he made his way along.

male Pheasant

male Pheasant

male Pheasant

A male Blackcap was singing and was a welcome sound, my first for the spring. The air was alive with the song and calls of Blackbird, Robin, Wren, Dunnock and Chaffinch. A Great Spotted Woodpecker flew into the top of one of the trees calling away before moving off. As I started down the track I could hear a Green Woodpecker calling and a Peacock butterfly flew past. A little further on a Chiffchaff was calling and from the first gap I could see a Common Buzzard hunting over the far fields. A few Blackbirds and a Redwing were moving between the track and the hedgerow and Blue and Great Tits were making their way through the bushes. A Cetti's Warbler exploded into song nearby and as I neared the end of the hedgerow a second bird also burst into song.

It was surprisingly quiet as I made my way past the stables apart from another very vocal Cetti's Warbler. On reaching the sea wall it was nice to catch up with Oystercatchers, Turnstone, Ringed Plover and Redshank as I headed towards Plumpudding. I also saw a couple of distant Curlew.

As I made my way towards Coldharbour it was lovely to hear the sound of my first Sedge Warbler of the Spring singing away. It is incredible to think of the journey that it has made to get here and that amazing burst of song was beautiful to hear.

Sedge Warbler

A Little Egret at Coldharbour was throwing an almost perfect reflection into the barely ruffled surface of the water that was reflecting the blue of the sky beautifully. A noisy group of cyclists passing caused it to fly and, again, it threw a near perfect reflection as it did so.

Little Egret

Little Egret

I had a sit on the sea wall for a while and watched out to sea. Herring, Black-headed and 3 Great Black-backed Gulls were passing by and a single Great Crested Grebe was offshore. A Shelduck flew west and a small flock of 10 Common Scoter on the sea were gently moving eastwards.

Common Scoter

Carrying on towards Reculver I was very pleased to see a Snow Bunting on the shore. It was a fair way away to begin with but gradually moved closer and closer and ended up giving some simply stunning views. To say it lifted my spirits would be putting it mildly.

Snow Bunting

Snow Bunting

Snow Bunting

Snow Bunting

It then moved up onto the sea wall and, again, I really couldn't have asked for nicer views. What an absolute beauty.

Snow Bunting

Snow Bunting

Snow Bunting

Snow Bunting

Snow Bunting

Snow Bunting

Well chuffed I carried on towards Reculver. I could hear another singing Sedge Warbler but this one stayed more in cover. A flock of 44 Corn Bunting were atop the bushes before flying up and heading towards the oyster farm. At the back a male Marsh Harrier was hunting along the field edge.

Corn Buntings

Corn Buntings

A male Reed Bunting was hassling a pair of Stonechats as I neared the green wall. A couple of Pied Wagtail were active along the shingle and Meadow Pipits flitted from the sea wall to the lower track. A Dunnock was singing away and I couldn't tell if it was blind in one eye or whether perhaps the eye was just in deep shadow. A Wren was also belting out its song a little further along.

Dunnock

Over on the oyster farm a Kestrel was hovering and sent up a small flock of 10 Linnet. While on the shore side a pair of Oystercatchers eyes glowed in the light and their bills and legs shone against the blue reflecting sea. As I neared the towers a single Swallow flew west. It brought a very enjoyable mornings birdwatching to a close.

Oystercatchers

In the afternoon, on the way back from an appointment, we had a short drive through Marshside and finished the day being treated to some nice views of a pair of Little Owls. 

Little Owl

Little Owls

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.