Wheatears, Common Sandpiper and Gadwall - Reculver 07/05/21

With the unexpected bonus of an early finish at work I paid a visit to Reculver on a pleasant afternoon with a mixture of sunshine and cloud. The tide was on the way out and as I made my way past the towers 4 Swift, 6 Swallow and 2 House Martins flew west. It was quiet out to sea apart from a few Herring Gulls and Black-headed Gulls. Over on the old caravan site I could see a couple of Wheatear, a single Pied Wagtail and a Yellow Wagtail.

Wheatear

Fifty-five Swallow were hawking for insects over the oyster farm and a Whimbrel flew west out to sea. A Herring Gull coming into land on the beach slowed to almost stalling point before dropping down onto the beach.

Herring Gull

Herring Gull

Sedge Warbler song was filling the air together with the scratchy song of Whitethroat. A Common Sandpiper was on the rocks and looked tiny against the Herring Gull who shared the rocks with it.

Common Sandpiper and Herring Gull

A couple of Mallard were roosting on the beach near the waters edge but keeping a wary, if sleepy, eye on passers by on the sea wall. A couple of Little Egret were on the oyster farm but overall it was remaining pretty quiet.

male and female Mallard

I carried on towards Coldharbour and a Wheatear was on the shingle and nearer Coldharbour another was on patch of broken concrete blocks at the side of the field.

Wheatear

Wheatear

I had a sit on the sea wall but out to sea remained very quiet apart from a pair of distant Gadwall. The rear black end of the male shows up well even at a distance on an almost mirror calm sea.

Gadwall

There were the usual couple of Shelduck and Mute Swan on Coldharbour but otherwise it was quiet. On the other side of the sea wall a Corn Bunting was singing away and Sedge Warblers and Whitethroat were both in full song. A Painted Lady Butterfly settled on the start of the path which leads off to Chambers wall. It appeared to be quite worn but was a welcome sight. They are beautiful butterflies.

Painted Lady Butterfly

Painted Lady Butterfly

I started to make my way back to Reculver and a Common Seal popped its head up briefly before dipping back down under the sea again. A Meadow Pipit showed well on the concrete slope having parachuted down from its song flighty display.

Meadow Pipit

Meadow Pipit

Out to sea was still remaining quiet but there were at least a couple of distant Mediterranean Gulls flying west to liven things up a little.

Mediterranean Gulls

A line of dark cloud was leading to Reculver while over on the oyster farm a Lapwing was busy with its display flight. A few Ringed Plover and Oystercatcher were dotted along the shore and Turnstones were doing what they do best as they turned and tossed stones aside.

Lapwing

I couldn't see any sign of a Short-eared Owl today. A Kestrel was hunting at the back and a Shelduck took to the air before settling back down onto the oyster farm moments later.

Shelduck

A single Redshank called, unusually enough my only one for today and as I neared the towers 3 Swift flew west bringing the visit to a close.

Swift

Birds seen this visit included: 11 Swift, 86 Swallow, 2 House Martin, House Sparrows, Herring Gulls, Black-headed Gulls, House Sparrows, 4 Wheatear, 1 Pied Wagtail, 3 Yellow Wagtail, 4 Meadow Pipit, 8 Whitethroat, 4 Linnet, 11 Sand Martin, 1 Whimbrel, 13 Oystercatcher, 2 Little Egret, 1 Stonechat, 15 Sedge Warbler, 1 Lapwing, 5 Shelduck, 1 Reed Bunting, 4 Mallard, 1 Corn Bunting, 2 Mute Swan, 1 Reed Warbler, 11 Ringed Plover, 8 Turnstone, 2 Mediterranean Gull, 2 Great Black-backed Gull, 1 Redshank,

Snipe, Merlin and Gadwall - Chambers Wall to Reculver 21/11/20

I started out from Chambers Wall on an overcast morning with a breezy south westerly wind and wandering up the approach road I could hear a single Golden Plover calling in alarm as a Kestrel flew low over one of the fields. A very smart male Marsh Harrier was on the hunt over the far fields but unfortunately remained distant. The hedgerow and car park area were quiet and I could only see a single Robin working its way through one of the bushes and the odd Blackbird. As the Robin moved into the open a gust of wind caught its feathers turning it into an instant fluff ball.

Robin

Two Siskin flew south overhead calling away as they did so. A few more Blackbird and a scolding Wren greeted me as I stopped to check out tiny patches of orange on the ground and found small groups of Orange Peel Fungus. They might be tiny but the colour really catches the eye.

Orange Peel Fungus

Orange Peel Fungus

Plenty of Blackbird were in the hedgerow as I made my way towards the embankment together with 7 Redwing, 2 Fieldfare and a couple of Song Thrush. Some Blue and Great Tits were busily looking for insects and as I came to the end of the hedgerow I could see a Peregrine on a small mound of earth in the field by the railway line. No sooner had I spotted it then so did a Carrion Crow and calling for reinforcements it, and then another joining it, mobbed the Peregrine causing it to move on. A couple of Linnet flew over as I started along the embankment towards Shuart end and a pair of Stonechat were swaying atop the reed edge. A single Mushroom was growing at the side of the track.

A few more Blackbird and a couple of Song Thrush were in the bushes as I made my way along and a small flock of Blue and Great Tits were working there way through. A pair of Stonechat were keeping out of the wind at the edge of one of the fields and perching very low to the ground.

Stonechats

A pair of Little Grebe and a pair of Mallard were on the river as I came up to it together with a pair of Coot. Every now and then one of the Coot would seem to feel that a Little Grebe was just that bit too close and move to chase it whereupon the Little Grebe would instantly dive and surface a safe distance away before gradually working its way back towards the Coot and the whole thing would be repeated. Finally the Little Grebes moved a little further away and peace ruled.

Little Grebes

Eighty-seven Lapwing were on the flooded portion of the field with all of them facing into the wind.

Lapwing

I couldn't see any Snipe tucked in with the Lapwing today but moving along a little I could get a better view of the rest of the flooded area, through a gap in the hedgerow, and as I scanned along I saw more and more Snipe ending up seeing 14 in total. I had hoped I might be able to pick up a Jack Snipe but couldn't manage to find one but it will certainly be worth keeping an eye on.

Snipe

Snipe

Snipe

Snipe

A single Redshank was also working its way from flooded area to flooded area.

Redshank

A single Siskin called as it flew west as I carried on and on the next flooded field the only occupant appeared to be a Black-headed Gull. A flock of c320 Brent Geese formed an almost perfect ellipse in one of the fields near the sea wall.

Brent Geese

The 9 Red-legged Partridge were in the same area I saw them on the last visit and were tucked in keeping out of the wind with just one adventurous one off for a wander.

Red-legged Partridge

There wasn't anything unexpected as I headed past the stables. The tide was coming in quite fast when I reached the sea wall but there wasn't a wader to be seen on the remaining exposed shore as it was crowded instead with people. A Common Gull was off-shore but otherwise the walk to Plumpudding remained quiet. Out to sea the windy conditions had attracted Kite Surfers and Sail Boarders.

The pair of Mute Swan on Plumpudding Island were busily tucking into vegetation they were bringing up from just below the surface of the water.

Mute Swans

As I carried on towards Coldharbour a Merlin came in off the sea and shot past giving a brief view as it did so. Out to sea 7 Common Scoter were bobbing around a good ways out.

Merlin

Common Scoter

I could see 31 Oystercatchers and 1 Curlew were on the beach at the back of Coldharbour as I headed round along the sea wall. There was a single Redshank and a Little Egret on Coldharbour and I could see 2 Mallard and a couple of Gadwall out to sea while sitting on the sea wall. A Grey Plover was on the shore and behind me the sun breaking through the clouds into beams looked spectacular.

Grey Plover

I had a wander along for a little way and then had another sit on the sea wall for a while. Waders were moving to roost with Turnstone and Ringed Plover heading past. A single Dunlin was tucked in with both flocks. Off-shore a pair of Shelduck were gradually moving further out to sea.

Shelduck

From the next sit on the sea wall waders were still on the move with some Oystercatchers giving a close fly past and a flock of c100 Sanderling with a single Dunlin amongst them heading for roost.

Oystercatcher

Sanderling and Dunlin

I could see a couple of distant Gannet heading east as I made my way towards Reculver and a male Marsh Harrier was quartering over the fields. I wonder if it is the same one that I saw earlier.

male Marsh Harrier

The Mallard and Gadwall lifted off from the sea and after a quick circular flight headed off  east towards Coldharbour.

Mallard and Gadwall

Mallard and Gadwall

Oystercatchers were on the move during my final sit on the sea wall before reaching Reculver and were an impressive sight, as always, and brought the visit to an end nicely.

Oystercatchers

Oystercatchers

Birds seen this visit included: 8 Robin, 1 Golden Plover, 1 Kestrel, 2 Meadow Pipit, Skylarks, 4 Mute Swan, 1 Pheasant, Wood Pigeons, 37 Blackbird, 3 Siskin 2 south 1 west, 3 Dunnock, 3 Wren, 6 Blue Tit, 5 Great Tit, 7 Redwing, 2 Fieldfare, 11 Magpie, 4 Song Thrush, 1 Peregrine, 6 Stonechat, 2 Linnet, 2 Little Grebe, 2 Coot, 4 Mallard, 87 Lapwing, 14 Snipe, 9 Red-legged Partridge, 1 Reed Bunting, 2 Goldfinch, 1 Pied Wagtail, 3 Common Gull, 239 Oystercatcher, 5 Great Black-backed Gull, 1 Merlin, 7 Common Scoter, 1 Curlew, 1 Redshank, 1 Little Egret, 2 Gadwall, 1 Grey Plover, 35 Turnstone, 88 Ringed Plover, 3 Dunlin, 2 Shelduck, 2 Gannet east, 

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