Brent Geese, Curlew and a Confiding Wren - Reculver to Chambers Wall 20/11/20

I arrived at Reculver on a cold but sunny morning. The tide was still going out with good amounts of shore already covered with birds and I could see 125 Brent Geese off the point with lots of Herring and Black-headed Gulls strung along the exposed shore. As I came down onto the sea wall I glanced back at the towers and every stone was highlighted in the early morning light as a few Starling launched themselves from the ruins.

Reculver Towers

Making my way along the sea wall a couple of Stonechat were active and 3 Pied Wagtails were busy along the shore. 4 Mute Swan moved out to sea and a Common Buzzard was hunting along the back field edge. A Wren, Blue Tit and a couple of Reed Bunting were working their way through the reeds and a Kestrel hovering above caused them to move deeper into cover. A few Brent Geese had started to move round to the newly exposed shore and looked lovely in the golden light, with more of them arriving in small groups.

Brent Geese

Some started to make their way along the shore and initially they were almost exactly the same distance apart which made it look as if even the geese were socially distancing in these strange times as they ate some of the vegetation left by the retreating tide.

Brent Geese

I didn't see them eat any of the red/orange seaweeds, they only appeared to be looking for the freshest green vegetation of which there seemed to be much less of than the rest.

Brent Geese

A single Curlew was also working its way along the shore and gave some good views as it did so. It was nice to see one a little closer than I am used to. Initially it was wading a little way into the sea and probing the sand but then moved closer to me and probed along the edge of the exposed shingle band.

Curlew

Curlew

As I continued up towards the Green Wall 5 Pheasant flew across to the oyster farm from the fields and 7 Corn Bunting were vegetation hopping as they moved from seed head to seed head. A Great Black-backed Gull flew low along the shore with the size of its bill highlighted as it gleamed palely in the bright sunshine.

Great Black-backed Gull

Great Black-backed Gull

While walking on towards Coldharbour good numbers of Ringed Plover were on the exposed mussel beds and shore with some Turnstone and plenty of Redshank. A flock of 27 Golden Plover lifted off from the fields before settling down again with their calls carrying well as they swirled round. I had a sit on the sea wall again just before Coldharbour and enjoyed watching a Grey Plover, a few Oystercatchers and a Curlew out on the mussel bed. 16 Mallard were off-shore and I heard a Lapwing call with a single bird coming in off the sea and flying overhead as it headed inland.

Lapwing

Lapwing

Lapwing

I had hoped to get as far as Shuart but with walking proving to be decidedly problematic today I decided to head to Chambers Wall for a nearer pick up point. I had a quick look at Coldharbour but could only see 1 Little Grebe today and a couple of Black-headed Gulls. A couple of Stonechat greeted me as I made my way towards Chambers Wall and a Wren was alarm calling from one of the bushes.

Wren

Nearing the railway line I came across a single Mushroom and a Cetti's Warbler was alarm calling on the other side of the railway. I caught a glimpse of it flicking its tail up as it called before it disappeared into cover. I couldn't see what it had been alarm calling at.

The walk through Chambers Wall was fairly quiet but it was nice to catch up with some Redwing and Fieldfare together with Blackbird in the hedgerow. I couldn't find any Goldcrest or a Firecrest today but enjoyed looking. 7 Magpie were in one of the fields and a Common Buzzard was up at the back. I was checking a bush covered in ivy to see if any late insects were out when a Wren popped out and gave some great views of its undertail coverts before turning and peeking at me briefly before it dived back into cover. It was a little beauty.

Wren

Wren

Wren

I finished with a Robin giving a classic Christmas card pose before it worked its way towards me, stopping to check me out, before carrying on. Another little beauty to finish the visit with.

Robin

Robin

Robin

Birds seen this visit included: 125 Brent Geese, Herring Gulls, Black-headed Gulls, 10 Blackbird, 2 Curlew, 4 Redshank, 7 Stonechat, 3 Pied Wagtail, 2 Kestrel, 4 Mute Swan, 2 Common Buzzard, 9 Wren, 6 Blue Tit, 5 Reed Bunting, Carrion Crows, 2 Grey Heron, 7 Great Black-backed Gull, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 27 Redshank, 8 Oystercatcher, 27 Golden Plover, 54 Ringed Plover, 6 Turnstone, 7 Corn Bunting, 10 Magpie, 5 Pheasant, Skylarks, 1 Grey Plover, 5 Meadow Pipit, 1 Moorhen, 16 Mallard, 1 Lapwing, 4 Linnet, 1 Little Grebe, 5 Robin, 2 Coot, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Dunnock, 2 Chaffinch, 2 Redwing, 2 Fieldfare,

Redwing, Brambling and a Confiding Whinchat - Shuart to Reculver 03/10/20

I started out from Shuart on an overcast day with showers threatening but it was good to be out. It appeared to be generally pretty quiet as I started down the track. As I came to one of the gaps I could see a flock of 26 Lapwing flying south west in the distance, the largest I have seen for quite a while. 5 Blackbird were on the track with a single Redwing searching for prey amongst the grass, giving some very nice views as it so. They are beautiful birds and my first good view of the autumn is always just that extra bit special.

Redwing

Redwing

Redwing

A couple of the Blackbird were showing clear signs of moult giving both of them quite a striking appearance.

Blackbird

Blackbird

Blackbird

Another couple of Redwing were in the hedgerow further along and 3 Greenfinch called from the back of the hedge before moving along further. There were noticeably a lot fewer Chiffchaff around than my recent visits. On nearing the railway line Skylarks were busily calling away and two small flocks of Chaffinch flew west. I was pleased to hear a Crossbill calling loudly as it flew west with another 8 heading in the same direction a short time later. As I neared the stables 11 Siskin passed overhead calling away as the flew west. I had a check of the horse paddocks and a couple of Song Thrush and a Mistle Thrush were in one while Pied Wagtails and Meadow Pipits were flitting about in several paddocks. A flash of orange amongst the mud caught my eye and I was pleased to see a Brambling in the company of 3 Chaffinch in another paddock. They are lovely birds and are always a very welcome sight and one guaranteed to lift the spirits.

Brambling with Chaffinch

On reaching the sea wall a Knot was flying west out to sea and I could see 42 Turnstone roosting on the rocks with more coming in as the tide rose. There was a very smart juvenile amongst them that was later joined by a second juvenile. A Rock Pipit called as it landed on the shore briefly before moving further along. 

Turnstone roost

juvenile Turnstone

two juvenile Turnstones

Oystercatchers were moving along the shore to still exposed feeding areas giving some nice flight views as they did so. 

Oystercatchers

A pair of Stonechat were active on the other side of the sea wall and a Bar-tailed Godwit flew west presumably heading for one of the roosts on the beach. As I headed along towards Plumpudding I was pleased to see a Purple Sandpiper on the rocks and sat on the sea wall for a while to give me time to be able to admire it. It was a little beauty.

Purple Sandpiper

Just before Plumpudding I had another sit on the sea wall so I could have a scan through the wader roost on the beach. There were 14 Curlew and 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, presumably the same bird I had seen fly west earlier, tucked in with 168 Oystercatchers. I enjoyed trying for some photos of the various Turnstone that were flying past.

Turnstones

Turnstones

As I approached Plumpudding Island 2 Wigeon flew in and landed briefly before carrying on. 2 Mallard were roosting on one of the islands. Three Stonechat were on Plumpudding Island and 3 Meadow Pipit. The waders from the roost wheeled up as somebody walked along the beach and some of the Curlew appeared above the fence before disappearing from sight again. I always feel very sorry for the roosting birds when they are disturbed, as it must waste vital energy reserves, and here it seems to happen a lot.

Curlew

Curlew

A Whinchat flicked up near the waters edge and perched obligingly and then proceeded to work its way closer and I ended up getting some cracking views of one of the most confiding Whinchat I have ever come across. It was an absolute beauty and a joy to watch.

Whinchat

Whinchat

Whinchat

Whinchat

Whinchat

Whinchat

As I carried on towards Coldharbour a couple of Sandwich Tern flew past calling loudly and a Redshank flew up from the shore. 2 Shoveler and 1 Teal landed on the sea and 20 Mallard flew over and also settled on the water. From the land side both Red-legged Partridge and Pheasant called.

Shoveler and Teal

Mallards

A Little Egret was on Coldharbour and 16 Redshank were tucked into one of the banks. As I headed to Reculver I saw a Grey Heron on the edge of the dyke which was having a decidedly bad hair day as the wind ruffled up its head feathers. It was a beautifully smart bird.

Grey Heron

Grey Heron

Grey Heron

A Rock Pipit was working its way along the shore as I neared Reculver. I had not managed to see a Short-eared Owl over the oyster farm so hopefully another time. As I passed the towers 2 Chiffchaff were in the bushes and 16 Swallow were hawking for insects above the grassy area bringing an enjoyable visit to a close.

Rock Pipit

Birds seen this visit included: 9 Chiffchaff, 13 Robin, Blue Tits, Great Tits, 2 Cetti's Warbler, Wood Pigeons, 26 Lapwing, 18 Swallow, 3 Magpie, 1 Moorhen, 13 Goldfinch, 1 Reed Warbler, 2 Dunnock, 4 Skylark, 5 Blackbird, 3 Redwing, 27 Chaffinch, 3 Greenfinch, 9 Crossbill west, 5 Blackcap, 2 Song Thrush, 1 Mistle Thrush, 10 Reed Bunting, 3 Kestrel, 22 Meadow Pipits, 8 Mute Swan, 2 Collared Dove, 11 Pied Wagtail, Starlings, House Sparrows, 1 Wren, 11 Siskin west, 1 Knot, 88 Turnstone, 2 Rock Pipit, Black-headed Gulls, Herring Gulls, 184 Oystercatcher, 9 Stonechat, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 1 Purple Sandpiper, 14 Curlew, 130 Ringed Plover, 6 Meadow Pipit, 1 Whinchat, 17 Redshank, 2 Wigeon, 22 Mallard, 2 Sandwich Tern, 2 Shoveler, 1 Teal, 2 Red-legged Partridge, 4 Little Egret, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Pheasant, Golden Plover, 1 Sanderling, 16 Swallow, 

Northerly Seawatch and a Puzzle - Reculver 30/08/20

With a strong northerly wind blowing I headed to the towers for a seawatch this morning. When I arrived the spots giving the most shelter form the wind were already taken with quite a few birders on site. Even though I ended up in a pretty exposed spot it, too exposed to use my scope, it turned out to be a very enjoyable and productive seawatch. Most of the birds throughout the morning were heading west.

Gannets were passing west in small groups, although a small number then returned east before heading west again. When watching Gannets I enjoy seeing the mix of plumages showing the various ages and I am always in awe of their sheer mastery of flight.

Gannets

Gannets

I did well for Skuas. I enjoyed watching the Arctic Skuas that came past and tried for some photos of the closer ones. Pale morph Arctic Skuas are beautiful birds. The Arctic Skuas came past mainly in ones and twos but also the odd group of 3 and a couple of groups of 4. 

Arctic Skuas

Arctic Skua

Arctic Skuas

Arctic Skuas

The highlight was seeing a Long-tailed Skua (142) west with 4 Arctic Skuas.The size and build difference was striking when seen in comparison to the Arctic Skuas but I am not sure that I would have been able to have picked it up if the Arctics hadn't been available for comparison. Frustratingly I couldn't manage to focus on it and the only shots I have are very blurred but it was great to see it. One of many passing Great Skuas was much more obliging and it came in quite close, giving good views as it went west. 

Great Skua

Great Skua

I had a lone Skua come through that did not have a plumage combination like any of the other Arctic Skuas I had seen during the morning with the combination of pale rump and head. I looked at all the information I could find on Skuas and particuarly Long-tailed Skua when I got home but even after looking at all the information I could find I still did not have enough experience or confidence with Skuas to be sure on this birds identification. The Long-tailed Skua I had seen this morning seemed much more delicate and slight than the Arctic Skuas it was with while this bird seemed to have a more solid build. Without being able to be sure of its identification it will have to remain a puzzle. 

Update: A couple of very experienced sea watchers solved my puzzled for me and let me know that it is a Long-tailed Skua. I am very grateful to both of them, as always, for their help and for enabling me to solve the puzzle of this bird. 

Update: puzzle bird identified for me as a Long-tailed Skua

Update: puzzle bird identified for me as a Long-tailed Skua

Update: puzzle bird identified for me as a Long-tailed Skua

Update: puzzle bird identified for me as a Long-tailed Skua

I enjoyed seeing what waders were on the move and although I did not see great numbers of them I ended up seeing a reasonable variety. Most were really too distant for photos but a Curlew did give nice views as it flew west. I also saw a couple of Fulmar during the seawatch and they were one of the few birds going east rather than west.

Curlew

There was also saw a pleasing variety of duck with the highlight being 6 Pintail (143) in with a flock of 7 Wigeon. A single Common Scoter also gave a good view as it flew quite close past the towers. A couple of distant Kittiwake (144) were nice to see.

Pintail and Wigeon

Common Scoter

It was time to make a move and the last birds I saw before heading for home were 12 Wigeon heading west and they brought a very enjoyable seawatch to a close. 

Wigeon

Birds seen flying west, unless otherwise stated, included: 18 Great Skua, 22 Arctic Skua, 1 Long-tailed Skua, 22 Gannet, 30 Wigeon, 2 Grey Plover, 17 Knot, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 11 Teal, 3 Mallard, 6 Pintail, 1 Curlew, 1 Common Scoter, 2 Fulmer east, 2 Kittiwake, 1 Ringed Plover, 3 Turnstone, 2 Sanderling, 7 Dunlin, Black-headed Gulls, Herring Gulls, 5 Great Black-backed Gull, 2 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 2 Common Gull,