Summer Plumaged Bar-tailed Godwits - Shuart to Reculver 28/04/21

On a chilly and windy day at Shuart the local Jackdaws were noisy as I arrived, with the commotion coming from the paddock, and when I looked they were impatiently taking it in turns to land on the horse's back were and taking beakfulls of hair from its back for their nests. The horse seemed remarkably unconcerned on the whole only appearing to react a couple of times. 

Jackdaw gathering nesting material from Horse's back

I had a wander up to the top of the bridleway and above a Common Buzzard was calling away as it was repeatedly mobbed by a couple of Carrion Crows. A couple of Ring-necked Parakeet were very vocal as I headed down to the main track. I could hear a Cuckoo calling but it sounded a fair distance away. Blackcap and Chiffchaff were in good voice and a Sparrowhawk circled lazily over to the side before a Carrion Crow spotted it and drove it on. I paused to enjoy a Dunnock singing away. He may not be the most musical but he certainly makes up for it with enthusiasm.

Dunnock

Dunnock

I enjoyed listening to Sedge Warbler song on my way to the stables and from the embankment I could see a male Tufted Duck tucked into the side of one of the dykes. Even at that distance its yellow eye shone brightly.

Tufted Duck

It continued to be quiet as I passed the stables apart from a vocal Lesser Whitethroat. The tide was rapidly coming in when I reached the sea wall with only a little sandy shore still exposed. A Whimbrel, 2 Bar-tailed Godwits and 4 Sanderling were making the most of the last bit of sandy shore uncovered. The Bar-tailed Godwits are beautiful birds in summer plumage, the male particularly striking but the female was also very attractive. I couldn't manage much in the way of photos but it was lovely to be able to watch them for a while, even if I was freezing cold and continuously buffeted by the wind. They mainly fed just beyond the water's edge, their heads partially under water as they probed the sand below the water. 

Bar-tailed Godwits

Bar-tailed Godwits

Bar-tailed Godwits

The incoming tide brought them gradually closer but light levels remained very poor. The Sanderling helpfully moved closer to them and looked tiny against the size of the Godwits. 

Bar-tailed Godwits and Sanderling

Bar-tailed Godwits

Bar-tailed Godwits

I haven't seen a summer plumaged Bar-tailed Godwit for years so it was a real pleasure to be able to watch these two birds today. The Whimbrel that was a little further along headed for roost and the Godwits and Sanderling moved off too. 

Plumpudding was very quiet when I reached it with just a couple of Mallard while on the either side of the sea wall a Cetti's Warbler was positively belting out its song. Coldharbour was equally quiet with another pair of Mallard, a Little Egret and the usual Black-headed Gulls. The female Mallard appeared quite pale in colour but with beautifully crisp plumage and the male kept his eye on her when he wasn't by her side.

female Mallard

male Mallard

A few Linnets were on the shore as I made my way towards Reculver the bright colours of the males breeding plumage shining out amongst the shingle even in the dull light. A male Marsh Harrier was hunting over towards the embankment while off shore a Great Crested Grebe moved closer in to fish as the tide continued to rise.

Great Crested Grebe

As I passed the oyster farm a couple of Grey Heron were moving from lagoon to lagoon and on nearing Reculver a couple of Sandwich Tern flew east giving some nice views as they did so.

Sandwich Tern

Sandwich Tern

Sandwich Tern

I arrived at Reculver windswept and frozen but I had thoroughly enjoyed watching the Bar-tailed Godwits and though otherwise it had remained pretty quiet it had been good to be out.

Birds seen this visit included: Jackdaws, 1 Common Buzzard, 2 Ring-necked Parakeet, Wood Pigeons, 2 Robin, 1 Pheasant, 2 Wren, 14 Blackbird, 1 Dunnock, 4 Blackcap, 3 Chaffinch, 1 Cuckoo, 2 Dunnock, Blue Tits, Great Tits, 1 Moorhen, 2 Stock Dove, 1 Sparrowhawk, 3 Chiffchaff, 2 Sedge Warbler, 4 Lapwing, 4 Cetti's Warbler, 3 Whitethroat, 1 Song Thrush, Goldfinches, 2 Magpie, 1 Tufted Duck, 5 Pied Wagtail, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, Starlings, Linnets, 2 Bar-tailed Godwits, 1 Whimbrel, 4 Sanderling, 4 Mallard, 2 Great Black-backed Gull, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Great Crested Grebe, Ringed Plovers, Turnstones, 2 Grey Heron 

Jet-propelled Sanderling, a Wheatear and Swift - Shuart to Reculver 25/04/21

It was cool, overcast and with a brisk north easterly wind when I started out from Shuart this morning. The usual jobs were around the car park area and I paused to enjoy the song of 2 singing Willow Warblers. A sound that is always lovely to hear and all the more amazing when I think of the distance that they have travelled to get here. A Water Rail called as I made my way down the track and a Cetti's Warbler was singing loudly but staying out of sight. A Lapwing was giving any passing Carrion Crow a hard time until they moved on and it relaxed until the next one. Otherwise, overall it remained fairly quiet. As I neared the railway crossing a male Kestrel was perched in one of the bushes and gave some very nice views as I came past. Though it was clearly aware of my presence it appeared settled and making the most of some cover from the wind.

Kestrel

Kestrel

It remained quiet, apart from a very vocal Cetti's Warbler, as I came past the stables and once on the sea wall the wind did not make for a particularly pleasant walk but, still, it was good to be out. 5 Gannet flew east out to sea and I could see 6 Curlew at roost behind Plumpudding. A Snipe flew across from the edge at Plumpudding Island and settled into cover on one of the islands. 18 Redshank were roosting out of the wind on the lee side of another of the islands. I passed a very quiet Coldharbour before settling down for a seat on the sea wall. A large flock of 229 Sanderling flew in before settling down to roost.

Sanderling

Late arrivals gave some very good views as they came in to join the others. They really are beautiful little waders and always very attractive in flight. The wind was not making for a particularly comfortable sit on the wall but views of these little fellas more than made up for it. 

Sanderling

Sanderling

Sanderling

Sanderling

I carried on towards Reculver and had a couple of Sandwich Terns flying east. Keeping the camera steady was proving to be somewhat problematic in the wind but through luck rather than anything else I did manage to keep them in the viewfinder for the odd shot. Not good ones by any means but an enjoyable reminder of the walk.

Sandwich Tern

Sandwich Tern

Another sit on the sea wall didn't turn up anything more out to sea but a few more passing Sanderling gave the opportunity for some really nice views. Flying into the strong wind was slowing them just enough to enable me to track them a bit better. Real little beauties.

Sanderling

Sanderling

Sanderling

The morning was brightening as the sun managed to break through at times and the wind seemed to be more easterly now although remained brisk. A couple of Stonechat were swaying on their perches as they sortied for insects. A Ringed Plover was making the most of the little bit of shelter from the wind afforded by some flotsum on the beach.

Ringed Plover

I couldn't see any sign of a Short-eared Owl today. Out to sea 2 Whimbrel flew east. A Black-headed Gull lifted off from the beach amidst a shower of shingle as a wave broke on the shore.

Black-headed Gull

Black-headed Gull

They might be birds I see every time I come out but they are still a beautiful sight in full breeding plumage, particularly in flight.

Black-headed Gull

Black-headed Gull

As I neared the towers a single Swift flew west and as my first Swift of the year it was a welcome sight.

Swift

Despite a fair few people up at the towers a male Wheatear was at the back of the grassy area and taking advantage of even the limited height afforded by the mole hills. It has taken me a long time to catch up with a Wheatear this spring and made a nice finish to the mornings birding

male Wheatear

male Wheatear

Later in the afternoon I had a short walk along the embankment at Shuart. Whitethroat and Cetti's Warbler were singing away and a Green Sandpiper was at edge of a flooded area in one of the fields.

Green Sandpiper

 A Greylag Goose tucked down amongst the grass was keeping a wary eye out. 

Greylag Goose

It was time to head for home and as I made my way back I glanced sideways to find myself eye to eye with a passing male Marsh Harrier flying low beside the embankment. It was only visible for a moment before disappearing behind the hedge but made a memorable end to the visit.

 

Birds seen this visit included: 2 Robin, 3 Wren, 1 Dunnock, 8 Chaffinch, 2 Stock Dove, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Willow Warbler, 1 Water Rail, 6 Lapwing, Carrion Crows, Wood Pigeons, 2 Pheasant, 1 Red-legged Partridge, 5 Goldfinch, 4 Long-tailed Tit, 5 Blackbird, 4 Cetti's Warbler, 10 Sedge Warblers, 1 Reed Warbler, 5 Whitethroat, 1 Kestrel, 6 Pied Wagtail, 7 Meadow Pipit, 2 Corn Bunting, 10 Linnet, 1 Chiffchaff, 5 Gannet east, 6 Curlew, 12 Oystercatcher, 1 Snipe, 18 Redshank, 2 Mallard, 2 Whimbrel, 2 Stonechat, Sanderling 237, 7 Ringed Plover, 1 Marsh Harrier

Sandwich Tern, Bar-tailed Godwits and Sea Watching - Reculver to Shuart 28/11/20

There was a fair amount of low lying mist on my way to Reculver but above that the sky was blue and it promised to be a fine morning once the mist had a chance to burn off. Being higher up the towers were mainly clear and it was only looking towards the sea wall that it was noticeably misty.

Reculver Towers

Looking towards the sea wall

Five Great Black-backed Gulls flew east and a couple of Robin were on the rocks as I made my way up to the towers. On the rocks below a single Brent Goose was searching for the really bright green vegetation that it was uncovering under and amongst the seaweed. It is one of two I regularly see on their own. I am so used to seeing Brent Geese in groups that it seems strange to see two very solitary geese.

Brent Goose

As I came up to the oyster farm I could hear a couple of Grey Partridge calling but couldn't manage to see them today. Every now and then the sun would try and break through and the Teasels looked great as they started to be backlit before the mist would gather once again. The mist might not make it easy for bird watching but it is beautifully atmospheric as it comes and goes.

Teasels

Oyster Farm

I had a sit on the sea wall for a while and visibility was surprisingly good out to sea. The colour of the sea was a beautiful lilac blue as the sun broke through. 9 Meadow Pipit were back and fore between the shore and the track while out to sea 2 Gannet flew east. Off shore there were a couple of Red-throated Divers and 7 Great Crested Grebe were strung loosely along in a well spaced out line.

Great Crested Grebe

The sea was very calm today and small numbers of Gannet continued to fly east and a few Red-throated Divers were also heading east. I was pleased to catch sight of a flock of 14 Shoveler flying west. They were really too far away for a photo but the photos make a good couple of memory shots.

Shoveler

Shoveler

I carried on towards the Green Wall and a couple of Lapwing flew up from the oyster farm. Reed Bunting and Wren were calling and out to sea a single Shelduck flew east. I paused to count 56 Ringed Plover roosting on the shore and glancing up I was surprised to see a very late Sandwich Tern flying east. I only managed some very poor shots of it before it was past me but it was great to see and I was lucky that I did not miss it completely, as I so nearly did. I could definitely do with being able to see in two directions at once!

Sandwich Tern

Sandwich Tern

I had another sit on the sea wall as there was proving to be more activity off shore than on land. A few more Red-throated Divers flew east and flocks of Brent Geese were moving east and coming down near Coldharbour. A Great Crested Grebe also flew east and it was nice to see a flock of 7 Wigeon tucked in at the back of one of the flocks of Brent Geese. As they came closer they broke off from the Brent Geese and then flew straight overhead before heading south east. 

Wigeon

Wigeon

It was time to move on so I headed on along the sea wall and a Snipe flew up from the oyster farm, calling as it did so. Out to sea a flock of 10 Common Scoter flew east.

Common Scoter

I was really pleased when a Short-eared Owl flew up onto one of the posts on the oyster farm and I waited to see if perhaps it would start to hunt. Luckily for me it did, after a while, and gave some good views as it quartered the oyster farm. They really are beautiful birds and an absolute joy to watch.

Short-eared Owl

Short-eared Owl

Short-eared Owl

Suddenly a second Short-eared Owl flew up and chased the first until it moved to the other side of the oyster farm whereupon the second owl disappeared back into cover again. Each time the first owl returned to the same area the second owl flew up to intercept once again.

Short-eared Owls

Short-eared Owls

I had thoroughly enjoyed the chance to watch them in sunshine for a change. Once they had both gone down, with no further sign for a while, I carried on towards Coldharbour with the aim for another sit on the sea wall just before it. As I approached Coldharbour the waders roosting on the beach behind it were flushed by a dog walker sending 12 Curlew and 110 Oystercatcher into the air before flying towards Plumpudding. I really do feel sorry for the roosting birds here as they get very little time for resting. Out to sea Red-throated Divers were still moving east in small numbers and 3 Gannet bucked the flying east trend by heading west. A Kingfisher landed on the breakwater groyne and looked stunning in the sunshine before dropping down to fish.

Kingfisher

Kingfisher

A Red-breasted Merganser flew east far out to sea and a couple of Great Crested Grebe headed east as well. Great Black-backed Gulls were also continuing to fly east every now and then, with their distinctive way of flying, and I had seen good numbers of them today. I could see a Merlin way out to sea and as it started to head back in it turned and came past me giving me some good, if brief, views as it did so.

Merlin

Coldharbour was quite quiet with 4 Redshank and a couple of Little Grebe and a Little Egret. The Kingfisher had moved onto the fence at the back of Coldharbour and a Mute Swan came into land as I made my way round. One of the Little Grebe was tucked into the bank and its eye just caught the light as the bird was highlighted in the sunshine. They are lovely little birds and full of character.

Little Grebe

I had another sit on the sea wall on the other side of Coldharbour and a Great Crested Grebe flew east, as did 3 more Red-throated Divers. Waders were on the move to roost and 2 Dunlin and a Purple Sandpiper flew west past me. Out to sea 2 Guillemot flew east followed by another 3 a little while later. A flock of 18 Grey Plover showed their black auxiliaries well and 4 Dunlin were tucked in with them.

Grey Plover and Dunlin

As it would be my last chance for a longer visit for a while I decided to carry on along the sea wall and see if I could get as far as Shuart. Nearing Plumpudding I came across a roost of Grey Plover and Dunlin which were almost certainly the same birds I had seen fly east earlier. All their feather edges were highlighted in the sharp light and they looked gorgeous.

Grey Plover and Dunlin

Grey Plover

While watching the Grey Plover I glanced up to see a Guillemot flying east closer in than I normally see. They move so fast that I only managed a quick shot once it was well past me but it was very nice to see, particularly as once again I nearly missed it.

Guillemot

A Redshank was throwing a perfect reflection, as I reached Plumpudding Island, as it made its way along the shingle edge. A flash of blue heralded the arrival of a Kingfisher as it was chased onto the shingle bank by a male Pied Wagtail. It only got a moment to rest before the Pied Wagtail chased it again, pushing it off the shingle and following in hot pursuit with the Kingfisher alarm calling and speeding away.

Redshank

Kingfisher

The male Pied Wagtail returned, breaking off from looking for insects to chase any bird that came too close and seeing off a couple of Linnet and several Meadow Pipits. In between it would return to the same spot and looked stunning against the blue of the water.

male Pied Wagtail

There were 35 Redshank roosting on Plumpudding and a single Turnstone was tucked in with some of them. I caught sight of slight movement and could see a Snipe tucked well into the vegetation on one of the islands. Along the shingle bank 5 Pied Wagtail were busily looking for insects and calling frequently to each other.

Redshank

It was time for another sit on the sea wall to see what might be passing by out to sea so I settled down once I reached the other side of Plumpudding. I could see 6 Curlew on the roost behind Plumpudding with a Bar-tailed Godwit tucked in with them. After a little while they were flushed off the roost by people walking along the shore and flew past me before wheeling round to head back to the roost but settling down further along this time. It must waste so much energy for them each time they are flushed.

Bar-tailed Godwit and Curlew

Out to sea a couple of Great Crested Grebe flew east and also 1 Red-throated Diver. It was nice to see a Guillemot on the sea, fairly close in, and I would imagine it was the same bird I had seen flying fairly close in earlier. It was gradually drifting further out to sea.

Guillemot

It was time to make a move again and as I made my way towards the stables turn off I came across another Bar-tailed Godwit, this time roosting with some Oystercatcher. They didn't fair much better as they were soon flushed off the rocks by a bunch of people scrambling up from the other side. They appeared to come into land further along and I hoped that they might get a little more peace there.

Bar-tailed Godwit and Oystercatchers

A Cormorant was drying its wings on one of the marker post and appeared to have a mix of old worn brown flight feathers and new black ones, as well as showing a large number of pale tipped coverts giving it a striking appearance. 

Cormorant

A single Rock Pipit was on the shore as I carried on and as I thought the Bar-tailed Godwit was on the shore in the company of the Oystercatchers. It gave some good views as it fed before yet again being flushed by dog walkers. They are beautiful birds.

Bar-tailed Godwit and Oystercatcher

Bar-tailed Godwit

Bar-tailed Godwit

Bar-tailed Godwit

Bar-tailed Godwit

Bar-tailed Godwit

As I headed for the turn off to the stables a Little Egret showed off its yellow feet well. It would follow the line of the wavelets as they broke and pick any food item washed in either from the wave itself or as it retreated.

Little Egret

A Cetti's Warbler was vocal as I passed the stables and a couple of Greenfinch were in the bushes. Over all it was pretty quiet with just the usual jobs present. A Water Rail was calling as I headed through Shuart and good numbers of Blackbird with a few Fieldfare and a Mistle Thrush were making the most of the berries. A Common Buzzard had sent a cloud of Lapwing up over the far fields with a flock of 121 birds flashing light and dark as they wheeled round.

Lapwing

I finished an enjoyable visit with a flock of 9 Fieldfare whose colours were glowing in the sunshine. The time spent sea watching at various points along the sea wall had proved to be good fun and though most of the birds out to sea had been distant today I had ended up seeing a good mix of birds. All in all a great day.

Fieldfare

Birds seen this visit included: 23 Great Black-backed Gull, 398 Brent Goose, 3 Robin, 2 Grey Partridge, 48 Redshank, 29 Meadow Pipit, 16 Gannet 3 west, 13 east, 25 Red-throated Diver east, 14 Great Crested Grebe, 4 Wren, 3 Reed Bunting, 123 Lapwing, 9 Mute Swan, 30 Blackbird, 1 Shelduck east, 97 Ringed Plover, 1 Sandwich Tern east, 10 Common Scoter east, 9 Mallard, 4 Snipe, 2 Short-eared Owl, 3 Kestrel, 6 Stonechat, 24 Turnstone, 1 Grey Heron, 12 Curlew, 182 Oystercatcher, 2 Kingfisher, 1 Merlin, 1 Red-breasted Merganser, 2 Little Grebe, 4 Little Egret, 2 Linnet, 10 Dunlin, 1 Purple Sandpiper, 8 Magpie, 6 Guillemot east, 18 Grey Plover, 1 Blue Tit, 6 Pied Wagtail, 2 Bar-tailed Godwit, 1 Rock Pipit, 2 Dunnock, 2 Greenfinch, House Sparrows, 4 Chaffinch, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Common Buzzard, 13 Fieldfare, 1 Mistle Thrush, 1 Moorhen, 1 Water Rail, 2 Ring-necked Parakeet, 2 Goldfinch