Firecrest Gem and a Confiding Great Spotted Woodpecker - Broomfield Track 09/01/21

A short walk along Broomfield track turned up a few nice surprises this afternoon. It started well with both Bullfinch and Coal Tit calling and giving tantalisingly brief views. A little further on I caught sight of a Firecrest making its way through the various patches of ivy in the hedgerow. It was a real little gem but extremely active, moving rapidly through and from ivy patch to ivy patch. I tried for some photos and was lucky enough to be able to grab a couple of memory shots of a beautiful little bird.

Firecrest

Firecrest

I paused for a rest and a few moments later a very smart male Great Spotted Woodpecker flew in and proceeded to treat me to some great views as it checked around the trunk.   

Great Spotted Woodpecker

Great Spotted Woodpecker

Great Spotted Woodpecker

Great Spotted Woodpecker

Great Spotted Woodpecker

I headed for home and on the way passed 5 Redwing and a couple of Fieldfare in the horse paddock bringing a short but enjoyable visit to a close.

Redwing

New Year's Day Bird Count - Shuart to Reculver 01/01/20

There is something special about a New Year's Day bird count when every bird seen is brand spanking new for the year and every bird, however common, brings a feeling of gratitude, joy and appreciation. So with a sense of anticipation I headed to Shuart, arriving just as light was beginning to show in the sky and paused along the approach road a few times to listen, managing to pick up Blackbird (1), Song Thrush (2), Chaffinch (3) and a calling Little Owl (4), Dunnock (5) and Robin (6). I stopped at the watch point in the hopes of spotting a Barn Owl. Sunrise was stunning as the few clouds gradually became aflame with colour and the clear sky boded well for a fine start to the day. Herring Gulls (7) were coming over in small flocks and a Red-legged Partridge (8) called several times. A Pheasant (9) felt brave enough to be a fair way out in the field. Rooks (10) were silhouetted against the sky as they lifted off from the far trees and a flock of 15 Lapwing (11) also showed well against the lightening sky. The call of a Green Woodpecker (12) carried well in the early morning air. Carrion Crows (13) and a passing Jackdaw (14) called as they went over, as did a passing Pied Wagtail (15). Wood Pigeons (16) were flushed in panic from the trees by the arrival of a Sparrowhawk (17) while in the distance a Common Buzzard (18) lifted lazily into the air. I had a last scan round for a Barn Owl without success and had to content myself with 2 Mute Swan (19).

Sunrise

On arriving in the car park I was greeted by a Great Spotted Woodpecker calling (20) and a Chiffchaff (21) paused briefly, giving a nice view, before moving off. A Wren (22) scolded me as it was disturbed from its perch by my arrival. Several Blue Tits (23) and Great Tits (24) were busily working through the bushes and a Mallard (25) called from beyond the trees. The Great Spotted Woodpecker started drumming as I made my way up to the bridleway and a Magpie (26) called harshly as I reached the top. I caught sight of a little bird in the hedgerow and was chuffed when I saw that it was a beautiful Firecrest (27). Light levels were still poor but I tried for a photo anyway and it makes a nice memory shot if nothing else.

Firecrest

As I made my way back down and then along to the main track it was getting very overcast and a little misty and there was next to no wind. A Goldcrest (28) was a welcome sight and further along 4 Moorhen (29) were down one of the dykes and a Jay (30) called as it moved through the trees. I was happily taking a photo of an obliging Great Tit when alarm calls rang out and I looked up to see a Kestrel (31) perched above.

Great Tit

Kestrel

I suddenly heard a Water Rail (32) call and then a second replied and they appeared to be calling in competition with each other. The walk towards the railway crossing proved to be very quiet on the whole. A Golden Plover (33) called as it flew over as I came up onto the embankment. As I neared the stables 3 Meadow Pipit (34) called and landed in one of the paddocks and I could hear Brent Geese (35) calling from the other side of the sea wall. I was pleased to catch up with 2 Redwing (36) and at least 15 Corn Bunting (37) were calling away from the bushes. 2 Goldfinch (38) flew up and House Sparrows (39) and Starlings (40) were calling noisily away. As I came up to the sea wall a Stonechat (41) checked me out warily before going back to catching insects.

Stonechat

The tide was well out upon reaching the sea wall. 4 Oystercatchers (42) were strung out along the shore line together with large numbers of Herring Gulls and smaller numbers of Black-headed Gulls (43). 5 Redshank (44) and 2 Turnstone (45) were busily feeding away and 3 Grey Heron (46) were standing in shallow water and almost perfectly spaced with close to the same distance between them. A single Curlew (47) was intent on feeding and 3 Great Black-backed Gulls (48) were resting up.

Grey Heron

The air was alive with the calls of the many Brent Geese that were in the shallows as I headed toward Plumpudding. A single Grey Plover (49) was on the tide line with another a little further along. 3 Ringed Plover (50) flew past and I could see a Great Crested Grebe was out to sea (51). There were 2 Common Gulls (52) amongst the Black-headed Gulls on the shore. Plumpudding Island was very quiet and as I carried on towards Coldharbour I had 5 male Pochard (53) fly east which was a very welcome addition. I could not manage to get a decent photo but it is enough for a memory shot. Several Cormorant (54) were off shore.

male Pochard

As I approached Coldharbour I could hear a Cetti's Warbler (55) calling and a Chiffchaff was working its way through the bushes. Coldharbour was quiet with just 1 Redshank and several Black-headed Gulls. The water was so calm that a Black-headed Gull, showing the first signs of its dark hood, threw a perfect reflection. Behind me I caught sight of a male Marsh Harrier (56) as it hunted over the reed bed.

Black-headed Gull

Marsh Harrier

4 Coot (57) were on the river and looking out to sea there were good numbers of duck off shore. 16 Shelduck (58) were drifting past and 44 Mallard were near the exposed mussel bed with a couple of Wigeon (59) tucked in with them. 2 Sanderling (60) flew past and a Little Egret (61) was busily probing in the shallow water. While I had a sit on the sea wall another couple of Shelduck flew east.

Shelduck

Shelduck

I carried on towards Reculver and 38 Stock Doves (62) flew up from one of the fields before settling down again. Out to sea, 2 Gadwall (63) flew west before landing near some Mallard. A Curlew gave a great view as it came into land.

Gadwall

Curlew

14 distant Shoveler (64) were mixed in with some Wigeon and obligingly, at one point, they flew and coming a little closer allowed the opportunity to try for a photo. It really was still too far for the camera but it was worth giving a try. 8 Teal (65) were mixed in with the Wigeon.

Shoveler

I carried on to the green bank and had a Lesser Black-backed Gull (66) in amongst Herring and Great Black-backed Gulls. I paused to enjoy the sight and sounds of c450 Brent Geese that were moving from the sea to one of the fields as the tide came in.

Brent Geese

I had a short walk up the green bank and as I started out 12 White-fronted Geese (67) flew over coming in off the sea. They looked as if they might come down with the Brent Geese as they rapidly lost height but then seemed to think better of it and once again gained height before circling and then heading south west in a long line.

White-fronted Geese

White-fronted Geese

White-fronted Geese

White-fronted Geese

I was pleased to catch up with a couple of Tree Sparrows (68) and 3 Yellowhammer (69) were a welcome addition with a male showing beautifully. They are very handsome birds and he made a lovely splash of colour on an increasingly overcast day. 28 Reed Buntings (70) were busy amongst the seed heads with another 15 further along. 3 Skylarks (71) called as they flew up from the field and 8 Linnet (72) flew over. As I headed back to the sea wall I could see a Little Grebe (73) down the dyke giving a great impersonation of a fluff ball.

Yellowhammer

I carried on towards Reculver and was pleased when I saw 3 Red-throated Divers (74) flying east. A Purple Sandpiper (75) flew past with 38 Ringed Plover. The Ringed Plover settled on the shore but the Purple Sandpiper continued to the rocks and had barely settled before it was disturbed by a dog and flew on towards Reculver.

Purple Sandpiper and Ringed Plover

Purple Sandpiper and Ringed Plover

On reaching Reculver I had a look out over the old caravan sight and could see 6 Feral Pigeons (76) and 1 Collared Dove (77). I decided to try my luck along the path at the back of the oyster farm as I hoped I might be able to add Short-eared Owl, Kingfisher and Snipe if I was lucky. As it turned out I did not manage to see any of them but it was worth a try. It did mean though that I missed out on the chance to see if the Shag that I had seen recently on the rocks near the towers was still there as it was dark by the time I finally made it back.

I finished the day with a total of 77 birds seen for the New Year's bird count. It had been an enjoyable day and it made a good start for 2020.

Birds seen this visit included: 33 Blackbird, 5 Song Thrush, 24 Chaffinch, 1 Little Owl, 7 Robin, 4 Dunnock, Herring Gulls, 11 Red-legged Partridge, 3 Pheasant, Rooks, 17 Lapwing, 2 Green Woodpecker, Carrion Crows, Jackdaws, 2 Pied Wagtail, 1 Sparrowhawk, Wood Pigeon, 2 Common Buzzard, 10 Mute Swan, Great Spotted Woodpecker, 5 Chiffchaff, 5 Wren, Great Tits, Blue Tits, 4 Mallard, 6 Magpie, 1 Firecrest, 3 Goldcrest, 4 Moorhen, 1 Jay, 2 Kestrel, 2 Water Rail, 1 Golden Plover, 12 Meadow Pipit, Brent Geese, 2 Redwing, 67 Corn Bunting, 5 Goldfinch, House Sparrows, Starlings, 3 Stonechat, 25 Oystercatcher, Black-headed Gulls, 23 Redshank, 6 Turnstone, 3 Grey Heron, 2 Curlew, 7 Great Black-backed Gull, 4 Grey Plover, 52 Ringed Plover, 6 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Common Gull, 5 Pochard, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Marsh Harrier, 4 Coot, 19 Shelduck, 47 Wigeon, 2 Sanderling, 1 Little Egret, 38 Stock Dove, 2 Gadwell, 14 Shoveller, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 8 Teal, 12 White-fronted Geese, 2 Tree Sparrows, 3 Yellowhammer, 43 Reed Bunting, 3 Skylark, 8 Linnet, 3 Red-throated Diver, 3 Skylark, 1 Purple Sandpiper, 6 Feral Pigeon, 1 Collared Dove

A Firecrest Gem and a Short-eared Owl - Shuart to Chambers Wall 23/10/19

I started out from Shuart today, mid-morning, and aimed for a wander through to Chambers Wall. It was an overcast day with an easterly wind and a few spots of rain here and there. A couple of RIng-necked Parakeet were calling noisily as I arrived. There seemed to be less Chiffchaff around than my last visit as I headed down the track. A little group of 3 Goldcrests were busy looking for insects as they worked their way though some ivy. A Bullfinch dropped briefly into the hedgerow before carrying on west. As I neared the end of the hedgerow I caught sight of a Firecrest deep within one of the bushes and spent a very happy few minutes watching the little gem of a bird as it searched here and there for insects. It was mainly fairly obscured but I was incredibly lucky as it gradually worked its way into an open area and allowed some very nice views. Now that had definitely made my morning.

Firecrest

Firecrest

Firecrest

6 Redwing flew over heading east and a Song Thrush peeped out at me before disappearing back into the bushes. I heard a Common Buzzard call and could see it was being mobbed by a couple of Carrion Crow. A Blue Tit was enjoying some Hawthorn berries, pecking at the skin until it broke and it could reach the pulp inside.

Blue Tit

Blue Tit

On reaching the embankment I headed towards Chambers Wall. A small flock of 11 Swallows flew east and 8 Long-tailed Tits called as they worked their way through the bushes. I tried for some photos of some of the Goldcrests that were busy feeding at various intervals. They are lovely little birds and even though I struggled to get much in the photo line I really enjoyed watching them.

Goldcrest

Goldcrest

Goldcrest

Goldcrest

A Kestrel was twisting and turning as it tried to evade the 2 Carrion Crows who were mobbing it. Eventually the Crows lost interest and the Kestrel was able to hover in peace before dropping down onto prey. As I reached the railway crossing for Chambers Wall I could hear multiple alarm calls coming from the other side of the tracks with Blackbirds, Dunnocks, Robins and Blue and Great Tits all joining in the chorus of alarm calls. As I reached the other side a couple of Magpie joined in as did a Cetti's Warbler. Whatever was causing the alarm was out of sight from me but the arrival of a couple of fishermen solved the mystery as a beautiful Short-eared Owl flew up from the river side and flew over the track before landing in the back of the bushes. It did not get any peace there as the two Magpie followed it and started to dive bomb it. Once again it flew for cover and as it did so it gave some lovely views before dropping down and diappearing into cover near the railway embankment. It made a perfect end to the visit. What a beautiful bird.

Short-eared Owl

Short-eared Owl

Short-eared Owl

Short-eared Owl

Short-eared Owl

Short-eared Owl

A Greenfinch flew up as it caught sight of me and as I neared the end of the path I had a group of 8 Goldcrests feeding away in the bushes and 4 Chiffchaff. The rain that had been threatening started in earnest just as I reached the pick up point so it turned out to be pretty perfect timing. Any day that I see an owl is a good one and with a Firecrest as well I felt very lucky as I headed for home.


Birds seen this visit include: 2 Ring-necked Parakeet, 24 Robin, 9 Wren, 12 Magpie, 2 Jay, 13 Chiffchaff, 3 Goldfinch, 2 Pied Wagtail, 2 Mallard, 17 Blackbird, 9 Chaffinch, Linnets, 23 Goldcrest, Wood Pigeons, Blue Tits, Great Tits, 19 Skylark, 3 Moorhen, 3 Dunnock, 1 Bullfinch, 6 Redwing, 1 Firecrest, 6 Reed Bunting, 3 Common Buzzard, Starlings, 1 Song Thrush, 2 Common Buzzard, 2 Kestrel, 3 Cetti's Warbler, 5 Meadow Pipit, 1 Corn Bunting, Herring Gulls. Black-headed Gulls, 5 Mute Swan, 11 Swallow east, 8 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Short-eared Owl, 1 Greenfinch, 

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