A Rough Time for a Grey Heron - Shuart to Reculver 14/05/21

On an overcast morning with a cold north easterly wind I paid a visit to Shuart. The usual were in the area around the start of the track with an addition of a Mistle Thrush and my wander down the track did not turn up any surprises. An Oystercatcher was being pursued by a Carrion Crow over one of the fields while in the hedgerow a Lesser Whitethroat was in full song. A Lapwing came past, having successfully mobbed a passing Carrion Crow before banking and returning to the field from which it had flown up.

Lapwing

It remained quiet as I came past the stables and coming up onto the sea wall the north north easterly wind was decidedly chilly. The tide was well in and 4 Sanderling were working their way along at the  waters edge before the advancing tide moved them off to roost. A Grey Heron was having a very rough time with a couple of Herring Gulls who were in hot pursuit and chased it first west and then, when it turned and came back to try and avoid them, they continued to mug it as it flew east. 

Grey Heron and Herring Gulls

Grey Heron and Herring Gull

Grey Heron and Herring Gull

As I approached Plumpudding I could see 3 Curlew roosting on the shore and on Plumpudding itself 6 Mallard and a Redshank were tucked in out of the wind. I carried on along the sea wall and 2 Whimbrel flew east and a distant Gannet was also flying east. A female Reed Bunting was on the sea wall collecting nesting material.

female Reed Bunting collecting nesting material

female Reed Bunting collecting nesting material

On the way to Coldharbour another 3 Whimbrel flew east and out to sea another Gannet and a single Fulmar also flew east. 1 Grey Plover and 5 Turnstone were on the shore and out to sea a Shelduck flew east.

Grey Plover and Turnstone

Coldharbour was completely deserted and as I continued on towards Reculver a Turnstone was feeding very close to the sea wall and I enjoyed watching it. It seemed to be managing to find quite a few food items under the various stones.

Turnstone

Turnstone

Turnstone

As I arrived at Reculver a Lesser Black-backed Gull flew east bringing the visit to a close.

Birds seen this visit included: 4 Blackcap, 5 Chaffinch, 4 Wren, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, Blue Tits, Great Tits, 1 Mistle Thrush, 6 Blackbird, 1 Red-legged Partridge, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Willow Warbler, 3 Magpie, 1 Chiffchaff, 3 Pheasant, 7 Goldfinch, 3 Reed Warbler, 3 Sedge Warbler, 1 Moorhen, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Lapwing, 6 Whitethroat, 3 Reed Bunting, 1 Oystercatcher, 1 Pied Wagtail, Starlings, 1 Collared Dove, Linnets, 4 Sanderling, Herring Gulls, Cormorants, 3 Oystercatcher, 9 Turnstone, 5 Swallow west, 6 Mallard, 1 Redshank, 1 Meadow Pipit, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 5 Whimbrel east, 2 Gannet east, 1 Fulmar east, 1 Shelduck east, 4 Ringed Plover, 2 Kestrel, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull

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,

Snow and Snipe - Broomfield Track 11/02/21

On a beautifully fine early afternoon I had a wander along a very snowy and picturesque Broomfield track. There were already a lot of footprints in the snow as it is a very popular venue with dog walkers but in places the snow was surprisingly deep.

Broomfield Track

A Little Owl called as I made my way down the track and a few Blue and Great Tits were busily searching through the hedgerow as was a small flock of Chaffinches. The trees stood out starkly against the snow and the bright sky and along field edges the snow had been sculpted by the wind.

A small flock of Lapwing flew over with the birds looking amazingly evenly spaced out.  

Lapwing

A Grey Heron also flew across and a Sparrowhawk made its way over towards the wood. It sent some Snipe up in panic and as they appeared to go down again I hoped I would get a chance to catch up with them. A Robin was searching for insects in amongst where the snow had started to melt.

Robin

A female Kestrel looked stunning against the blue sky and the warmth from the sun had been sufficient to melt the snow from the branches of the hedgerow.

female Kestrel

The Snipe had settled back down on one of the fields and were a welcome sight and there appeared to be seven of them. 

Snipe

They were quite flighty as dog walkers passed by but after wheeling round tended to return to the same field.

Snipe

Snipe

Snipe

Snipe

I headed for home and on the way back came across another couple of Snipe tucked into a nearer furrow in the same field. It had been good to be out and an enjoyable visit.

Snipe

New Years Day Bird Count - Shuart to Reculver 01/01/2021

With that time of year once again where every bird seen, however common, is brand spanking new for the year I started out from Shuart to see what this years New Year's Day bird count may hold. It is always with a sense of anticipation as to what will be the first bird of the year and once again first place went to Blackbird. I hoped for a Little Owl along the approach road but had to content myself with a Robin and 22 Red-legged Partridge. I stopped at the watch point in the hopes of a Barn Owl but didn't have any luck there either. Light levels were picking up slowly on a very overcast, bitterly cold, but still morning and I could see a flock of 55 Lapwing up in the distance against the lightening sky. Herring Gulls and Carrion Crows passed overhead and Rooks were up over the far wood.

I carried on down and a Green Woodpecker called as I reached the start of the track. Wood Pigeons crashed nosily out of the hedgerow and a few Chaffinch were busily searching for food. Jackdaws were calling and a Wren popped up before disappearing just as quickly. Both Blue and Great Tits were a welcome splash of colour in decidedly poor light. From the first gap in the hedgerow I managed to add 2 Mute Swan and a couple of Stock Dove. I could hear Long-tailed Tits coming and they moved rapidly through as they searched for food with a couple of Goldcrest keeping company with them. A Grey Heron was motionless near one of the dykes and further along the hedgerow a hovering Kestrel disturbed a small charm of Goldfinches.

Continuing along the track I could hear some Fieldfare on the other side of the hedgerow. 2 Magpie flew over and a Great Spotted Woodpecker alighted briefly before moving on. A Jay alarm called as it spotted me and a Dunnocks bright eye peeped at me as I headed past. A Moorhen called followed a short while later by a Water Rail calling.

I paused in the next gap and had a scan round. A handsome male Merlin was perched distantly on one of the harvested sweetcorn stalks. I tried for a photo but between the abysmal light, distance, and inability to hold the camera steady I couldn't manage much but it does make a nice memory shot for me.

male Merlin

A single Golden Plover called from one of the fields and as I headed down the track it was good to see a couple of Greenfinch in the hedgerow briefly before they moved along. The rest of the walk towards the embankment remained fairly quiet apart from a Pied Wagtail flying over and a handsome male Pheasant to the side of a field edge. I had hoped for a Firecrest but had not had any luck so far so thought I would try a wander along the embankment for a little way. I did not manage the hoped for Firecrest but the bushes were alive with flighty Fieldfare and Redwing. A Song Thrush and a single Mistle Thrush added to day. With the Fieldfare and Redwing constantly on the move it nice when a Redwing paused long enough, as it perched at the top of a bush, to try for a photo.

Redwing

I walked as far as the River Wansum where a Little Egret was at the side of the bank and a Little Grebe was busy diving while keeping a wary eye on a Coot who appeared to be non too happy at its presence. I decided to turn round and try my luck at the stables before going on to the sea wall. As I made my way back I glanced sideways to see a male Marsh Harrier flying parallel to me. I only managed a very poor photo but it was a lovely sight.

male Marsh Harrier

I could see a Common Buzzard up at the back as I approached the stables and a couple of Feral Pigeons were making the most of some fallen seed. House Sparrows were chirping away and a flock of Starling moved from paddock to paddock. On reaching the sea wall Sanderling, Redshank and Turnstone were along the shore and out to sea 5 Curlew flew east. Black-headed Gulls were noisy as they passed over and Oystercatchers stood out even in the poor light. A few Lapwing were resting up on a grassy area.

Lapwings

The wind had started to pick up more and it was bitterly cold walking back towards Reculver. It seemed very quiet out to sea and though I paused frequently to watch I did not manage to catch up with a diver at all. Cormorants were atop the marker poles and a single Great Crested Grebe was out to sea. I was well chuffed when a Purple Sandpiper flew past, briefly alighting on the rocks before moving on further along. 41 Mallard were offshore as I approached Plumpudding and a couple of Dunlin and some Ringed Plover were nice to catch up with. A large number of Brent Geese were in the fields with c500 and I enjoyed watching some that were closer to the sea wall than the others.

Brent Geese

Meadow Pipits flitted between the sea wall and the lower track as I made my way towards Coldharbour and a male and two female Reed Buntings were perched in one of the bushes. A flock of 36 Corn Bunting flew up ahead before moving off towards the oyster farm. The sun broke through briefly throwing a passing Great Black-backed Gull into sharp relief.

Great Black-backed Gull

Great Black-backed Gull

Great Black-backed Gull

Coldharbour was quiet with a single Little Egret, a few Black-headed Gulls and Redshank. A Mute Swan was on its favourite little island and 8 Linnet were on the shingle bank at the back.

Mute Swan

A female Sparrowhawk shot through the oyster farm as I neared, sending a Snipe up in panic. I had a sit on the sea wall for a short while but overall it remained quiet. I did see a small flock of 6 Wigeon which were a welcome addition to the days totals and obligingly flew round before briefly alighting on the sea prior to moving off west. Today had proved to be very different to last year when I managed to see a good selection of duck on New Years day.

Wigeon

Wigeon

Wigeon

I had initially hoped to carry on but having got thoroughly frozen and walking proving to be more than a little problematic I decided to call it a day once I reached Reculver. I was pleased as I neared Reculver to catch up with a Stonechat and on the shore a couple of Common Gulls were at the waters edge until disturbed by a dog walker. I finished with a Little Owl calling, my 68th bird for the day, as I headed for the pick up point. The total was a fair bit down on last year but all things considered I felt lucky to have seen what I did. And it was fitting finishing with a Little Owl as, for me, any day with an owl in it has to be a good one.

Birds seen this visit included: 35 Blackbird, 3 Robin, 22 Red-legged Partridge, 70 Lapwing, Carrion Crows, Rooks, Herring Gulls, 2 Green Woodpecker, Wood Pigeons, 20 Chaffinch, Jackdaws, 2 Wren, Blue Tits, Great Tits, 7 Mute Swan, 2 Stock Dove, Long-tailed Tits, 2 Goldcrest, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Kestrel, 5 Goldfinch, 87 Fieldfare, 2 Magpie, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Jay, 2 Dunnock, 2 Moorhen, 1 Water Rail, 1 Merlin, 1 Golden Plover, 2 Greenfinch, 3 Pied Wagtail, 1 Pheasant, 48 Redwing, 1 Mistle Thrush, 1 Song Thrush, 2 Little Egret, 1 Little Grebe, 2 Coot, 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Common Buzzard, Feral Pigeon, House Sparrows, Starlings, 75 Sanderling, 25 Redshank, 25 Turnstone, 5 Curlew, Black-headed Gulls, 32 Oystercatcher, Cormorants, 1 Great-crested Grebe, 1 Purple Sandpiper, 41 Mallard, 2 Dunlin, 15 Ringed Plover, c500 Brent Geese, 5 Meadow Pipit, 3 Reed Bunting, 36 Corn Bunting, 3 Great Black-backed Gull, 8 Linnet, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Snipe, 6 Wigeon, 1 Stonechat, 2 Common Gull, 1 Little Owl,