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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| male Stonechat |
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| female Stonechat |
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| female Wheatear |
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| 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.
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| Whitethroat |
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| Short-eared Owl |
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| 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.
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| Mute Swan |
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| 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.
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| Grey Partridge |
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| Grey Partridge |
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| 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
