Spring Song, Black Redstart and a Lone Brent Goose - Shuart to Chambers Wall 09/04/21

It was a beautifully fine morning when I arrived at Shuart and the air was alive with bird song and it was lovely to be able to just spend time listening to the sheer beauty of it as various songs intermingled, some loudly competing, some dominating with bursts of vigorous singing, other melodies sweetly coming to the fore as various other singers paused before recommencing. April is a great month as more and more singers join the ensemble with new arrivals making their presence known and I love to be able to enjoy the beauty of their song once again. The pair of Ring-necked Parakeet didn't perhaps sound particularly musical as their strident calls cut through the air but they made up for it with the bright flash of colour as they appeared briefly above the trees. A Grey Squirrel was clearly enjoying the warmth from the sunshine as it sunbathed on a branch.

Grey Squirrel

As I made my way along the track another Willow Warbler was singing sweetly away and a couple of Blackcap appeared to be in competition with each other. 3 Cetti's Warblers at various points burst into explosive song but still only gave tantalisingly brief views. A couple of Peacock butterflies were on the wing while Chiffchaff and many of the usual jobs were busily working their way through the hedgerow. A Grey Heron soaring high overhead showed signs of moult in some of its flight feathers.

Grey Heron

Sedge Warbler song followed me as I neared the railway line and 3 Yellow Wagtail flew west. Another Cetti's Warbler burst into song as I arrived at the stables. I was pleased to see a Black Redstart fly up from one of the paddocks but it only settled for a moment before flying to behind the hedge as a furore started up with the arrival of opposing dog walkers whose dogs definitely did not want to be friends. By the time the dogs had stopped barking and the owners had stopped yelling, the Black Redstart must have been happy where it had moved to as, though I waited a little while, it did not reappear in the open. Hopefully I'll catch up with it again as it is certainly a good spot for them.

I had a wander along the sea wall towards Plumpudding and a Redshank and 28 Oystercatchers were dotted along the shore. A flock of 30 Linnet flew west. Plumpudding held another 27 roosting Redshank and 4 Pied Wagtail. A Cetti's Warbler was on the other side of the sea wall and a male Marsh Harrier was up hunting over towards the embankment. A single Brent Goose stood out in one of the fields, as I headed towards Coldharbour, before it flew west. It may well be the last one I see until later in the year.

Brent Goose

Brent Goose

Eighteen Common Scoter were off shore and a single Shelduck flew west as I made my way to Coldharbour. At Coldharbour a Rock Pipit flew over and settled on the sea wall. Coldharbour itself was quiet with a few Black-headed Gulls and a Mute Swan.

Rock Pipit

Rock Pipit

I had a sit on the sea wall for a while. 2 Sandwich Tern were a long way off shore but otherwise it appeared quiet. A small flock of 9 Grey Plover flew east.

Grey Plover

A person walking along the shore flushed a flock of c200 roosting Sanderling together with 5 Dunlin and a 6 Turnstone. They flew out to sea before turning and streaming past me as they came into settle further along the shore.

Sanderling, Turnstone and Dunlin

Sanderling, Turnstone and Dunlin

I decided to come off the sea wall and head for Chambers Wall. Another couple of Cetti's Warbler were singing loudly as I made my way to the embankment and 3 small flocks of Swallows flew west. Skylarks were singing away with Reed Bunting and Sedge Warblers joining in. Suddenly there was a short flurry of warning calls and then total silence as a female Sparrowhawk shot through. Once the coast was clear song started up once again. From the embankment I could see a Short-eared Owl hunting briefly before settling down again.

Short-eared Owl

A singing Willow Warbler together with singing Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Whitethroat and Chaffinch made for a pleasant walk up to the pick up point. Another Cetti's Warbler was belting out its song. Unfortunately it remained skulky but a singing Wren was much more obliging. It always amazes me that so much sound can come from such a little bird. It made a nice end to the visit.

Wren

Birds seen this visit included: 2 Ring-necked Parakeet, Jackdaws, 7 Chiffchaff, 2 Robin, 2 Dunnock, 5 Chaffinch, 12 Goldfinch, 3 Willow Warbler, 8 Blackcap, Great Tits, Blue Tits, 6 Wren, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Stock Dove, Wood Pigeons, 4 Blackbird, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Magpie, 6 Long-tailed Tit, 2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Common Buzzard, 8 Cetti's Warbler, 7 Whitethroat, 3 Yellow Wagtail, 3 Mute Swan, 9 Reed Bunting, 7 Sedge Warbler, 1 Black Redstart, 30 Linnet, 15 Meadow Pipit, Herring Gulls, Black-headed Gull, 2 Great Black-backed Gull, 5 Curlew, 28 Oystercatcher, 28 Redshank, 12 Corn Bunting, 3 Mallard, 2 Coot, 7 Pied Wagtail, 1 Marsh Harrier, 15 Turnstone, 1 Brent Goose, 18 Common Scoter, 1 Shelduck, 1 Kestrel, 2 Sandwich Tern, 200 Sanderling, 5 Dunlin, 9 Grey Plover, Skylarks, 13 Swallow west, 2 Rock Pipit, 1 Sparrowhawk, 3 Stonechat, 1 Short-eared Owl, 

Short-eared Owl and Grey Partridge Bonus - Reculver 05/05/19

I had a walk after work, late afternoon, from Reculver to Coldharbour. The visit started very overcast with rain threatening and a north north easterly wind. I was lucky as the rain did not materialise and sunny intervals developed. The tide was beginning to go out. A Wood Pigeon had found a small puddle of rainwater in a hollow on one of the rocks by the car park and once it had a drink it posed nicely for me before moving on. The range of colours and shades in the grey's of its plumage are beautiful.

Wood Pigeon

A lot of scum had collected on the surface of the sea and was particularly noticeable in all the areas by the rocks. I do not know what causes it. A couple of Common Tern were off shore but otherwise the sea was quiet. The dark wedge on the Common Tern's upperwing was noticeable as it came past.

Commom Tern

3 Oystercatcher flew up from the oyster farm and flew around calling like mad before the lower one peeled off whereupon the upper two returned to the oyster farm.

Oystercatcher

I saw several pairs of Stonechat during my visit and, as always, I enjoyed watching them. I tried for a photo of one of the females taking off but only just managed to get her into the shot.

male Stonechat

female Stonechat

female Stonechat

A female Wheatear popped up onto the sea wall before flying further along and a Common Seal was having a look around out to sea. A male and female Yellow Wagtail were on the oyster farm as were a pair of Shelduck while another flew east out to sea. A Grey Heron flew past heading for the oyster farm.

Grey Heron

Coldharbour itself was quiet with just a couple of Shelduck and a Little Egret on it. I caught up with the female Wheatear again and although distant I tried for a shot. A Meadow Pipit was more obliging and gave some nice close views as it perched on the fence.

female Wheatear

Meadow Pipit

A Whitethroat was singing away in a bush and a Reed Bunting popped up right by the path as I started to head back.

Whitethroat

Reed Bunting

A Grey Heron flew from the oyster farm and landed on one of the newly exposed mussel beds and was dive bombed by a Herring Gull for his troubles. It did not seem too concerned and the gull soon gave up. However once the Heron decided to move to another part of the mussel bed several Herring Gulls had a go with one particularly persistent one chasing it until it flew back to the oyster farm.

A Common Sandpiper was in his usual spot.

Common Sandpiper

I had kept my eyes open for a Short-eared Owl but without any success. I thought as the wind had died down by now that one may have flown but I hadn't seen one. As I was nearing the end of the oyster farm I did, however, see something perched on a post and I was so chuffed when I saw it was a Short-eared Owl. Now that really did make my evening. I felt very lucky to see it. It definitely makes my day when I see an owl.

Short-eared Owl

Short-eared Owl

I left the owl surveying the lay of the land and carried on towards Reculver. A pair of Mute Swan with almost perfect reflections were in one of the oyster farm dykes. I could hear a Cuckoo calling and it sounded like it was at the back of the oyster farm.

Mute Swan

Mute Swan

I finished the visit with another bonus when I saw 2 Grey Partridge feeding and working their way towards me. I stayed very still and was treated to good views until some people came along the sea wall and the partridge were off and flew into the old camping ground.

Grey Partridge

Grey Partridge

Grey Partridge

It had been good to be out for a while and had been an enjoyable visit and seeing the owl really had made my day.

Birds seen this visit include: Wood Pigeons, House Sparrows, 8 Blackbirds, 11 Linnet, 5 Little Egret, 4 Mute Swan, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Meadow Pipit, 2 Common Tern, 9 Stonechat, 3 Oystercatcher, 12 Sedge Warbler, 5 Reed Bunting, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 3 Great Black-backed Gull, 5 Shelduck, 13 Oystercatcher, 4 Pied Wagtail, 13 Mallard + 4 youngsters, 1 Blackcap, 7 Whitethroat, 2 Dunnock, 2 Pheasant, 2 Meadow Pipit, Skylarks, 11 Turnstone, 5 Ringed Plover, 1 female Wheatear, 5 Sanderling, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Moorhen, 1 Coot, 2 Swallow, 4 Grey Heron, 1 Common Sandpiper, 18 Sand Martin, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Short-eared Owl, 2 Grey Partridge

Eye to Eye with a Treecreeper - Stodmarsh 06/02/19

As I had an appointment nearby, and the rest of the day off, I headed to Stodmarsh nature reserve on the way home. The forecast was for fairly persistent rain and the option of being able to shelter in a hide won the day. As it turned out the rain held off for most of the visit, apart from a few spots, so I was very lucky.

A good mix of the usual little jobs were either singing or feeding as I started to make my way to the Marsh Hide. A Great Spotted Woodpecker was drumming away and I heard, or saw, at least 4 during my visit. I enjoyed watching a Treecreeper (84) and although the light was poor I tried for a few shots. They are amazing little birds and this one was very active.

Treecreeper

I carried on for a little way and heard a Cetti's Warbler (85) calling. It was getting very muddy and slippery so I stopped for a while and watched an immature Mute Swan preening before continuing. There were also a couple of Mallard down the dyke and 3 Moorhen. Chattering Fieldfares, Starling and Redwing filled the tops of the next group of trees, and the sound was amazing, while small flocks of Chaffinch and Goldfinch were feeding on the path. Further along an immature Mute Swan was surveying the lay of the land.

Immature Mute Swan

Immature Mute Swan

I finally made it to the Marsh hide and disturbed a Jay as I came up to it. Apart from 1 Lapwing there was absolutely nothing on the scrapes. Not a thing. I was, however, treated to a distant view of a hunting Hen Harrier (86). I tried for some photo's but the bird really was too far away and in very poor light meaning I needed to use a very high ISO. Still, they make nice memory shots and I am pleased to have been able to get them. I could hear another Cetti's Warbler calling, while I was in the hide.

Hen Harrier

Hen Harrier

I headed back and walked up to the main lagoon. I could hear Greylag Geese calling but only saw one. The surprise of the visit came in the form of a Great White Egret (88) tucked into the far bank. It was very distant but I tried for some record shots.

Great White Egret

Great White Egret

I heard two Water Rail calling on the way round and enjoyed a view of both an immature Grey Heron and a Mute Swan with wind ruffled feathers.

Grey Heron

Mute Swan

I retraced my steps and then headed for the reed bed hide. As I passed one of the dykes I saw a couple of Coot, a pair of Mute Swan and 3 Gadwall (90). A little further along I caught sight of the rear end of a Water Rail as it went deeper into the reeds. As I approached the hide I could hear at least a couple of Bullfinch calling. It seemed a good time to have lunch and I was accompanied by the lovely sound of the Teal, that were present, calling away. It does seem that the best way to guarantee a good view of a bird is to pick up a sandwich, or anything that involves putting the camera down. By the time the sandwich gets put down and the camera picked up, the bird is disappearing and probably giggling at the same time. It is amazing how often it happens. A Grey Heron gave some nice views and a passing Shoveler kept a wary eye on it.

Grey Heron

Grey Heron and Shoveler

I enjoyed watching the Teal and, once again, they gave some lovely close views. It is a beautiful place to sit and the view from the hide was one of peace and calm. On two occasions today I heard Bearded Tit (91) call but I did not manage to see one.

Sleeping Teal

View from Reed Hide

I watched as a male Teal from the far bank suddenly started to swim across, in a very purposeful way, and headed straight for another male that was resting next to a female. After a bit of a dispute it was put in its place by the other male and swam off again.

Male Teal

Male Teal in dispute

Male Teal in Dispute

Meanwhile a male Mallard was displaying to a female. It would stretch its neck right up and then bob down. She was clearly impressed as she lay low in the water and allowed him to mate. He held her completely under water and then they swam side by side with him rearing up and tucking his head down.

Male Mallard about to mate

Mating Mallards

Display following mating

The Grey Heron that had been posing earlier suddenly few across the front of the hide and I only just managed to grab a shot before it disappeared from view.

Grey Heron in flight

As it was time to be getting back I took the longer way round to the car park and I was pleased that I did as I was lucky enough to have a Treecreeper fly across and land at the bottom of a tree right next to me. I tried for some photos as it rapidly gained height but it was obscured more often than not. Then, just for a moment it paused in a clear patch and I was lucky enough to be able to take a shot. It was quite something to be so close to it and to be able to see its eye. I do not think I have ever been so close to a Treecreeper before.

Eye to eye Treecreeper

Not to be outdone, a Robin also gave me some very close views as it flew in and landed above me and started to sing.

Singing Robin

I passed a large Bracket fungus and having looked it up I am still not sure what type it is but wonder if it may be a Tinder Fungus.

Bracket Fungus

From the car park I could hear Fieldfare chattering away and every now and then some flew over. I tried to see if I could get a shot of their underwing and the white underwing feathers show well.

Fieldfare in flight

I had really enjoyed my visit and look forward to the next one.

Birds seen this visit include: Blue Tits, Great Tits, Wrens, Robins, Blackbirds, Dunnock, 3 Song Thrush, 4 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 17 Chaffinch, 15 Goldfinch, 12 Mallard, 3 Moorhen, 4 Magpie, Fieldfare, Redwing, 3 Treecreeper, 1 Jay, 88 Cormorant, 3 Cetti's Warbler, 32 Lapwing, Meadow Pipit, Greylag Geese, 16 Shoveler, 120 Teal, 1 Sparrowhawk, 3 Marsh Harrier, 9 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Great White Egret, 3 Water Rail, 3 Gadwall, Black-headed Gulls, Herring Gulls, 2 Coot, 2 Bullfinch.