Russian White-fronted and Barnacle Geese, Snow Buntings and Black Redstarts - Shuart to Reculver 05/12/20

A pair of Ring-necked Parakeet were calling loudly as I arrived at Shuart and my progress down the first part of the track was greeted by groups of Wood Pigeons flying off noisily through the trees causing a nearby Great Spotted Woodpecker to fly, from the top of one of the trees, alarm calling like mad. I enjoyed watching a Goldcrest that was in with a mixed flock of Tits and Finches. Overhead a Little Egret flew over followed a short while later by a single Russian White-fronted Goose. As I approached a gap I could see another 26 Russian White-fronted Geese in the distance with a couple of Barnacle Geese tucked in at the end.

Russian White-fronted Geese and Barnacle Geese

A flock of 25 Lapwing and another flock of 35 had flown up from the fields as I carried on down the track and a couple of GreenWoodpecker called.

Lapwing

With each gap I came to in the hedgerow there were flocks of White-fronted Geese moving between the various harvested Sweetcorn fields. In total there appeared to be 114 with the 2 Barnacle Geese tagged on. They make an impressive sight as they fly round and the air was alive with their calls. It was lovely to be able to see so many geese.

Russian White-fronted Geese

As I came to the end of the hedgerow a flock of 12 Pied Wagtail were catching insects around one of the puddles of water in  the field and I could see the pair of Barnacle Geese tucked in by some more water at the back of the harvested Sweetcorn field with the White-fronted Geese spread around in that and the neighbouring field. These fields have proved to really attractive to a good range of birds since they have been harvested.

Barnacle and Russian White-fronted Geese

Russian White-fronted Geese

I had a wander along the railway embankment for a little ways and it was nice to be able to see the pair of Barnacle Geese a little better. I enjoyed watching some White-fronts that were close to the other side of the railway line and they appeared to be totally unconcerned by the passing trains.

Barnacle Geese

Russian White-fronted Geese

A single Redshank was also in the field and I paused to watch the antics of a pair of Little Grebe on the river. They may be little but they are full of character. A low flying and noisy helicopter spooked the geese and all of them took off wheeling round towards the sea wall before gaining height and coming back over the railway line and landing in the back fields and out of sight.

Russian White-fronted and Barnacle Geese

Russian White-fronted Geese

As I came past the stables there was a single Redshank and a Little Egret on the standing water in one of the paddock and a few Blackbirds dotted around. 11 Corn Bunting were calling from the bushes. A Common Buzzard was making the most of a man-made perch before moving over to the trees and showing the markings on its upperwings and tail beautifully as it alighted.

Common Buzzard

Common Buzzard

On reaching the sea wall the tide was still a fair way out but coming in quite fast and the sea was very calm. As I made my way towards Plumpudding I caught up with a good range of waders either on the shore or as they made their way to a wader roost.

Plumpudding Island was quiet apart from a couple of Pied Wagtail and a Redshank. Good numbers of Sanderling and Ringed Plover were settling down to roost as I made my way towards Coldharbour.

Sanderling and Ringed Plover

Sanderling and Ringed Plover

Coldharbour was quiet with just a couple of Redshank and a Little Grebe and off shore there was a single Shelduck and a few Mallard. I sat and watched out to sea for a while but it remained quiet with just 1 Gannet east and a few Brent Geese on the move. As I carried on towards Reculver I was pleased to catch sight of the four Snow Buntings on the beach. Unfortunately so did a dog walkers dog who proceeded to chase them before turning its attention to chasing waders instead. The owners genuinely did not appear to understand when I spoke with them but they did at least call the dog back up onto the sea wall. A little further along I came across the Snow Buntings again and at least they got a little while to feed in peace this time.

Snow Bunting

Snow Bunting

Snow Bunting

Snow Bunting

A Marsh Harrier was up at the back as I carried on towards Reculver and a Merlin moved out to sea. I had another sit on the sea wall but apart from a couple more Gannet east and a Great Crested Grebe off shore it remained quiet out to sea. A Grey Seal popped its head up briefly before disappearing under water again.

Grey Seal

On nearing Reculver a couple of Mute Swan gave a close fly past. They are always an impressive sight and I love the sound of their wings, their impressive wing span, and the curl of their flight feathers at their wing tips. They are quite a show stopper with many people on the sea wall pausing to watch them as they come past.

Mute Swans

Mute Swans

I finished my visit with a Black Redstart on one of the groynes, probably the same bird as yesterday, and another on the rocks by the car park. The one on the rocks did not get much respite from the resident Robin chasing it each time it settled on the rocks. It was great to see the Black Redstarts though, as they are always a pleasure to watch, and they made a good end to an enjoyable visit.

Black Redstart

Birds seen this visit included: 2 Ring-necked Parakeet, 4 Magpie, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, Blue Tits, 10 Robin, 7 Wren, 36 Blackbird, 2 Common Buzzard, 2 Chaffinch, 3 Little Egret, 1 Song Thrush, 4 Goldfinch, 3 Great Tit, 1 Green Woodpecker, 14 Pied Wagtail, 114 White-fronted Goose, 2 Barnacle Geese, 1 Goldcrest, 60 Lapwing, 2 Grey Heron, 10 Redshank, 3 Kestrel, 3 Little Grebe, 2 Meadow Pipit, House Sparrows, Starlings, 91 Corn Bunting, 44 Oystercatcher, 3 Curlew, 6 Great Black-backed Gull, 1 Stonechat, 7 Brent Geese, 9 Mallard, 1 Moorhen, 43 Ringed Plover, 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Turnstone, 3 Gannet east, 96 Sanderling, 2 Golden Plover, Skylarks, 1 Merlin, 8 Dunlin, 1 Shelduck, 4 Snow Bunting, 2 Black Redstart

Grey Wagtail, Hobby and Starlings on the move - Reculver to Coldharbour 24/10/19

I headed to Reculver on an overcast morning. With pretty much no wind the sea was calm as a mill pond but visibility was not great as it was decidedly murky and misty out to sea. The tide was in. I was greeted by a Robin singing away from the rocks by the car park and each time it reached the fullest part of its song it partially fanned its tail feathers and positively vibrated with song. A Wren was busy looking for insects amongst the rocks and a couple of Pied Wagtail were chasing each other back and forth.

Robin

Robin

140 Starling were feeding by the towers and a mixed flock of mainly Herring Gulls and some Black-headed Gulls were busy rooting around amongst the mown grass on the old camp site. Another Robin was singing away from the rocks as I came down onto the sea wall. It was nice to see a Grey Wagtail that landed on the rocks briefly before flying back over to the oyster farm. 4 more Pied Wagtail were on the shore. A couple of Meadow Pipits were nearby preening and the closest gave some very nice views. The light was so poor that all the photographs needed to be taken at a high ISO, something that my camera does not cope well with, but I was pleased to be able to get some memory shots

Grey Wagtail

Meadow Pipit

I could see a large raptor a long way out to sea that was almost obscured by the mist. Its flight was very reminiscent of an Osprey, but I couldn't get anything on it, and with wishful thinking definitely having overcome common sense I wondered if it could possibly be one. There are times when I can be a right idiot and this was clearly one of them. I managed to get a photo of sorts before it disappeared back into the mist and I was able to enlarge it on the computer when I got home and it indeed confirmed it was not an extremely late Osprey but rather a Common Buzzard. Now that made much more sense even if it did confirm that I was an idiot. Ah well, it is no wonder I never count a bird unless I am absolutely certain! A little further along I had 30 Brent Geese fly west in the murk.

Brent Geese

A small group of 9 Starling came in off the sea and headed south west followed shortly after by another 12. There was a movement of Starlings throughout the visit with some groups flying west and other groups coming directly in off the sea and heading south west. A small flock of 9 Ringed Plover were disturbed by a dog walker and headed for further along the shore.

Starlings

Ringed Plover

12 Meadow Pipit were feeding along the shore and a single Curlew flew east followed a while later by another. A Cormorant was drying its wings, which is always an impressive sight, while perched on one of the marker poles.

Cormorant

I caught sight of a small raptor above and was surprised to see a Hobby heading out to sea. It flew quite strongly until I had almost lost it from sight when it suddenly turned and started to come back in. Just as it reached the shore it turned once more and once again flew strongly out to sea and this time appeared to keep going and disappeared into the mist.

Hobby

A Golden Plover called from behind the oyster farm and I had 8 Siskin fly west and 4 Swallow followed by 3 House Martin headed that way a short time later. Out to sea 58 Starling flew west. A Rock Pipit was busy along the shore and a Snipe flew up from the oyster farm before settling down again. 38 Carrion Crow were on the shore and frequently whirling up into the air before settling down again. 3 immature Mute Swan flew past, giving some very nice views as they did so, and another 16 Mute Swan were in the field behind the oyster farm.

immature Mute Swans

Out to sea 3 Teal flew west closely followed by 7 Brent Geese. A large flock of 250 Starling flew west inland followed by another 80. Another 4 Brent Geese headed east before, presumably, the same birds headed west a few minutes later. A Cetti's Warbler exploded into song near the green bank and gave a tantalisingly brief view before disappearing into cover again. I could hear Corn Bunting singing and 12 were atop one of the bushes. A Merlin passed over the oyster farm and alarm calls rang out and c120 House Sparrow flew up in a panic. As I carried on along the sea wall I caught sight of a Goldcrest in one of the bushes and as I watched I realised that the bush was alive with 7 of them all busily searching for food. They are beautiful little birds and I thoroughly enjoyed being treated to some close views. I do really miss not being able to hear them anymore though. Even right next to them I still could not hear any calls.

Goldcrest

Goldcrest

When I reached Coldharbour I found that it was very quiet with just a few Black-headed Gulls and some Goldfinch and Meadow Pipit at the back. A Marsh Harrier caused consternation amongst the Starlings in one of the fields as it passed through. It was nice to hear another Cetti's Warbler calling and another 3 Goldcrest were in one of the bushes and once again treated me to some lovely views. The rain that had been threatening arrived as I turned for home. The only good thing was that although it fairly tipped down there was at least some breaks between the showers. Small groups of Starlings of between 3 to 50 continued to come straight in off the sea heading south west and once the rain started in earnest a pulse of the groups would come through in between the heavy showers. In total I saw 952 Starlings moving a mixture of west or either straight in off the sea and heading south west during the visit.

Goldcrest

Goldcrest

Goldcrest

As I made my way back I had 10 Shoveler fly west but the rain meant I couldn't grab a photo. I decided to head back via the green bank and the back of the oyster farm. 27 Fieldfare moved from the bushes to a field and 4 Redwing were also tucked in one of the bushes. During a brief break in the rain two Carrion Crows gave a male Sparrowhawk a very rough time over the oyster farm and after a sustained period of harassment the Sparrowhawk moved off, shooting low over the fields and scattering Starlings in panic. At this point my luck ran out and it rained steadily for the rest of the way back. As I squelched my way past the towers the rain stopped again and a Chiffchaff was calling away. I finished the visit with some good views of a Herring Gull resting up on the rocks. After yawning widely it headed off after a youngster that had been calling from above.

Herring Gull

Herring Gull

Herring Gull

Birds seen this visit include: 13 Robin, 5 Wren, 8 Pied Wagtail, House Sparrows, 14 Blackbird, 952 Starling moving west and south west and 540 Starling feeding in various fields, Wood Pigeons, Cormorants, 2 Little Egret, 44 Meadow Pipit, 26 Mute Swan, 1 Grey Wagtail, 8 Magpie, 2 Common Buzzard, 10 Ringed Plover, 47 Brent Geese, 1 Hobby, 17 Linnet, 2 Curlew, 2 Rock Pipit, 2 Kestrel, 1 Golden Plover, 8 Siskin, 7 Swallow west, 2 Grey Heron, 6 Redshank, 21 Turnstone, 46 Oystercatcher, 17 Reed Bunting, 8 Stonechat, 2 Mallard, 2 Blue Tit, 3 Great Tit, 3 Great Black-backed Gull, 38 Carrion Crow, 7 Skylark, 1 Merlin, 3 Teal, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 3 Song Thrush, 3 House Martin, 12 Corn Bunting, 10 Goldcrest, 1 Marsh Harrier, 35 Goldfinch, 2 Chaffinch, 2 Coot, 10 Shoveler, 27 Fieldfare, 4 Redwing, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Chiffchaff

Crab Eating Eider - Reculver 03/04/19

I haven't been able to do any bird watching for a few days so it was nice to be able to come down to Reculver and see what I could see. The forecast was for light rain showers but I think the weather must have missed the word light as the showers, when they came, were torrential.

I got brief views of a Black Redstart near the towers which started the visit well. They are lovely birds and I always enjoy watching them.

Black Redstart

Black Redstart

I watched the immature male Eider that was off shore for quite a while. It was repeatedly diving and coming up with a crab after each dive. It then proceeded to remove the legs and claws one by one, by grabbing a leg in its bill and then throwing the crab away from it so that the leg was removed, or it thrashed its head from side to side while holding the crab. The Eider would then pick the crab up from where it had landed in the water and start all over again until just the body was left which it would then swallow whole, shell and all. It was very proficient at catching them and I did not see it have an unsuccessful dive.

Eider with Crab

Eider with Crab

Eider throwing Crab

Eider eating crab body

It appeared to depend on the size of the crab but after every one, or up to 3 dives, the Eider would rear up in the water and then twist up and throw its head back and push its bill up, always to the same side, presumably to help them go down, before settling down again into the water and resuming diving. It certainly had a voracious appetite. I felt very sorry for the crabs but it was fascinating to watch and certainly he is feeding well.

Eider rearing up

Eider

He finished off about every 3rd or 4th rearing up with wing flapping.

Eider

As I carried on along the sea wall I could see 2 Short-eared Owls up in the distance, over the oyster farm. Once again, they appeared to be chasing each other and circled each other, climbing higher and higher while they did so, sometimes appearing to come into contact as they spiralled. Both went down after a little while, with one luckily starting to hunt and coming nearer to where I was. As always, it made my day to see them.

Short-eared Owl

Short-eared Owl

Short-eared Owl

4 Oystercatcher were flying over the oyster farm and calling repeatedly and loudly. I was fascinated to see the almost perfect spacing between them. I couldn't tell if it was 2 pairs disputing territory or whether it was some sort of joint display.

Oystercatchers

Oystercatchers

A Reed Bunting did not seem too bothered by the rain that had started. It had a ring on its right leg but I could not make enough out in the photos to be able to read any of it.

Reed Bunting

6 Shelduck were active over the oyster farm, with either 2, 4 or all 6 in the air at the same time.

Shelduck

A Merlin flew low over the oyster farm and a Marsh Harrier passed along over the back edge. A Ringed Plover worked its way along the track parallel to the sea wall.

Ringed Plover

The rain showers were becoming much more persistent and decidedly torrential at times. As I neared Coldharbour it eased briefly. A pair of Mute Swan flew past. Seeing the curl of the feather in the wing tip of this bird I wondered whether this was caused by air flow or the bird itself. How much fine control do they have of the actual feather tip?

Mute Swan

As I approached Coldharbour I could see a pair of Oystercatchers roosting on some wooden posts. I was pleased to hear a Sedge Warbler (120) singing.

Oystercatchers

Coldharbour itself was quite quiet with 3 Mute swan, 2 Little Egret, 2 Shelduck and 12 Redshank and 6 Black-headed Gulls. A White Wagtail was very flighty, resting on the shingle bank briefly and allowing only very distant photos. At this point rain really did stop play as it absolutely fell down then, just for fun, it turned into a torrential hail shower. I couldn't get a photo until it stopped so a fair amount has melted.

Hail

It was a quiet, if soggy walk back. As I approached Reculver the sun appeared but unfortunately I had a meeting I had to get to so I couldn't stay. I might have got soaked and the photos have come out pretty badly, as the light was so poor, but they make good memory shots and I enjoyed my visit.

Birds seen this visit include: 15 House Sparrows, Starlings, 2 Blackbirds, 1 Black Redstart,  immature male Eider, 2 Mute Swan, 1 Robin, Black-headed Gulls, Wood Pigeons, Herring Gulls, Cormorants, 2 Short-eared Owls, 2 Pied Wagtail, 6 Shelduck, 6 Mallards, 25 Meadow Pipits, 3 Little Egret, 1 |Snipe, 2 Stonechat, 15 Redshank, 4 Oystercatchers, 7 Reed Bunting, 1 Dunnock, 9 Ringed Plovers, 8 Turnstone, 1 Merlin, 1 Marsh Harrier, 28 Corn Bunting, 2 Linnet, Skylarks, 2 Coot, 3 Mute Swan, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 White Wagtail, 4 Goldfinches, 2 Magpie, 8 Carrion Crow, 2 Grey Heron,