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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| Barnacle and Russian White-fronted Geese |
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| 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.
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| Barnacle Geese |
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| 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.
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| Russian White-fronted and Barnacle Geese |
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| 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.
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| Common Buzzard |
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| 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.
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| Sanderling and Ringed Plover |
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| 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.
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| Snow Bunting |
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| Snow Bunting |
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| Snow Bunting |
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| Mute Swans |
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| 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.
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| 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
