It was great to be able to come out birding again today. Holidays are definitely good and I want to try and make the most of the week by coming out each day if I can. Today I thought I would have a slow wander along the seawall up to Coldharbour and back.
Overall the sea was very quiet with only a few Herring and Great Black-backed Gulls bobbing around on the water. I did have a flock of 27 Common Scoter fly west at one point, but whether these were separate birds to the ones that are often off the coast at the moment, I don't know. There was a Great Crested Grebe heading the same way and a small flock of Brent Geese heading west gave some nice views as they passed by. When I looked at the photos later I could see that there were some 2nd calendar year birds as some of the birds had white tips to the upperwing coverts. I will miss the chatter of the geese once they have all left.
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| Brent Geese with some 2nd calendar year birds |
Just on from the green bank, the immature male Eider was moving off from the shore into the sea and it gave the chance for some good views. He may not be as stunning as an adult male but he is still a handsome bird in his own right.
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| immature male Eider |
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| immature male Eider |
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| immature male Eider |
Coldharbour itself was very quiet with only a pair of Mute Swan, a Black-headed Gull and a couple of Redshank.
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| Redshank |
A couple of Shelduck flew from the oyster farm and headed out to sea as I turned to walk back. I tried for some photos but lost my balance and ended up with sky rather than Shelduck. They are striking birds in flight. A pair of Mute Swan gave a nice fly past.
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| Mute Swans |
As I neared the green bank again I caught sight of a male Wheatear (111) atop a bush. It dropped out of sight but luckily for me it then flew over and landed, first on the concrete, and then came up onto the wall. I was well chuffed to see it. After a few moments he flew back over to the bushes and fly-caught for a little while before disappearing from view. He had certainly made my day.
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| male Wheatear |
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| male Wheatear |
Corn Buntings were singing away and I could see at least 18. A male Dunnock was singing his heart.
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| Dunnock |
A Little Egret came into land on the oyster farm and a pair of Stonechat were feeding along the far bank. Both Short-eared Owl were flying and once again they appeared to clash if they flew near to each other. I sat on the sea wall and was treated to some lovely views of them as they hunted.
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| Short-eared Owls |
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| Short-eared Owl |
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| Short-eared Owl |
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| Short-eared Owl |
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| Short-eared Owl |
I had thoroughly enjoyed watching the owls but it was time to move on. The sky was a real story of two halves with threatening rain clouds one side and blue sky the other. Beams of light kept breaking through the rain clouds and apart from a few spots I was lucky as it remained dry.
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| Sky above Reculver |
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| Sky above Reculver |
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| Beams of light |
A pair of Black-headed Gulls were displaying as I neared Reculver. The male was very aggressive towards any other bird that came near, and even towards a Herring Gull that was minding its own business sitting on top of one of the poles. I love trying for photos of flying birds. I do not do very well with them, as they are either not quite in focus or very noisy, or both, but I find seeing the shapes that bird's wings form, something that I cannot see with my naked eye as it is something that happens so fast, fascinating. The curl of his wing tip as he sharply banks as he chases another bird, and the sweep of his wings as he comes into land. These are all things that happen too fast for me to be able to see, yet the camera can capture it, I am so very lucky to be able to see them.
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| Black-headed and Herring Gull |
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| Black-headed Gull |
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| Black-headed Gull |
After a rest at Reculver, and as it was still fairly early, I decided to see if I could get to Bishopstone and see what I could see on the way.
A Little Egret was feeding on the shore and allowed some very nice views.
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| Little Egret |
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| Little Egret |
I saw 5 Grey Plover altogether. I always enjoy watching them.
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| Grey Plover |
A juvenile Herring Gull had managed to find a tasty morsel but was spotted by a Carrion Crow who harassed it until it dropped it. As the gull came down to try and retrieve it the Carrion Crow continued to mob it. In the end the youngster held its nerve and managed to fly off with it only to then attract the attention of 2 adult Herring Gulls. In the end nobody got it as it was lost in the water when the youngster dropped it once more.
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| Herring Gull and Carrion Crow |
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| Herring Gull and Carrion Crow |
Another Herring Gull gave some good views as it came into land and took off again.
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| Herring Gull |
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| Herring Gull |
Once I reached Bishopstone I could hear a Chiffchaff calling and a 12 Linnet were in the top bushes. A Woodpigeon kept a wary eye on me but stayed where it was.
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| Wood Pigeon |
A Plume Moth flew up from the grass and settled in the longer grass. I also saw several patches of Colt's Foot.
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| Plume Moth |
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| Colt's Foot |
The Gorse looks lovely at this time of year. It was a bit late to be trying for a photo and the colour has not come out very well, as it was actually a much brighter yellow but it makes a nice memory shot.
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| Gorse |
The Blackthorn blossom looked lovely as I came up to the glen. As I took the photo a Robin serenaded me and it made a nice finishing note to the day.
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| Blackthorn Blossom |
Birds seen this visit include: 15 Brent Geese, 27 Common Scoter, 1 immature male Eider, 2 Stonechat, 8 Mute Swan, 4 Shelduck, 12 Mallard, 7 Redshank, 15 Turnstone, 8 Ringed Plover, 5 Grey Plover, 1 male Wheatear, Carrion Crow, Black-headed Gulls, 8 Great Black-backed Gull, Herring Gulls, 3 Dunnock, 18 Corn Buntings, 17 Meadow Pipit, 2 Wren, 6 Reed Bunting, 3 Little Egret, 2 Short-eared Owl, 2 Chiffchaff, 18 Linnet
