Four-spotted Chaser and Ladybird Larva - Highstead 27/05/20

I had a wander along at Highstead today to see if I could catch up with any dragonflies. It turned out to be very quiet on the walk up and I only saw one Azure Damselfly as I made my way along. The sheep around the pond area had been sheared and a mum and her lamb looked on curiously as I passed by.

Sheep

A red Kite circled lazily above and a Common Buzzard was up over the far trees. It was nice to catch up with my first House Martins (118) and Sand Martins (119) with several swooping round as they caught insects above.

Red Kite

I saw a dragonfly fly up briefly from the grass and luckily for me it settled again and I was able to get some very nice views of it. It was a beautiful Four-spotted Chaser and in the cool conditions it returned several times to the same perch, pausing for quite a while each time, and enabling views from several angles as it landed on the stem at various heights and angles. They are really striking dragonflies.

female Four-spotted Chaser

female Four-spotted Chaser

female Four-spotted Chaser

female Four-spotted Chaser

I came across a Ladybird larva that I think is a 7-Spot Ladybird larva. Further along I came across a small and very spiny and bristly larva which I think could be a 24-Spot Ladybird larva. It was fascinating to see.

7-Spot Ladybird larva

24-Spot Ladybird larva

24-Spot Ladybird larva

There was a small moth tucked down amongst the vegetation which I still need to identify.

Moth

A Dandelion clock formed a perfect sphere.

Dandelion Clock

A Kestrel was hovering a little way away and I liked how the light shone through its tail feathers as it fanned them. At one point it veered off and flew above me and looked stunning with the light shining through its flight feathers. I did not do very well with the photograph but it gives a good memory shot of the moment.

Kestrel

Kestrel

Wandering along a little further I came across a striking immature female Blue-tailed Damselfly violacea form resting up, the violet sides to its thorax really catching the eye.

immature female Blue-tailed Damselfly violacea form

A pair of mating Azure Damselflies landed and rested up for a while with their bodies forming the usual heart shape before they took to the air again and moved on.

mating Azure Damselflies

A Black-tailed Skimmer was on the ground ahead and was a beauty. I think it might be an immature male but it could be a female.

immature male or female Black-tailed Skimmer

On the walk down to Marshside for the pick up point a Common Blue Butterfly gave some lovely views as it rested up between short sorties.

Common Blue Butterfly

Common Blue Butterfly

Common Blue Butterfly

The bright flowers of Grass Vetchling caught my eye and were a lovely splash of colour amongst the green.

Grass Vetchling

I had a peep in the dyke at Marshside and could see a bright fish fairly close to the surface. I am not sure what it is and have not been able to find it in my books at the moment and wonder if it is something that has been introduced.

It had been an enjoyable walk through and I had ended up seeing a good selection of dragonflies and damselflies.

A Case of Fieldfares Galore - Highstead to Marshside 18/01/19

I haven’t been to Highstead for a long time so I thought I would give it a go this morning and see if there was any chance of being able to see the water, going on the fact that the vegetation would have died down, being winter. I did look in the summer but at that point I could not see the water at all, everything was too grown up. The wind was south westerly today and some sunshine was a definite bonus.

It looks as if the apple orchard is being extended as they have cleared all of the rough ground. There are going to be some very disappointed birds as it was superb habitat there. A tractor was still working at the bottom of the area, while at the top 33 Black-headed Gulls were picking around in the newly cleared ground.

There were a huge number of Fieldfare, easily 1000, on and near the apple orchard, together with at least 500 Starling. The sound of the birds calling was incredible. A mass of Starling together are certainly pretty noisy. I could also see at least 60 Redwing as well. They were all making the most of all the fallen apples, and presumably the ones left on the trees. They were so loud that I could hear them as I walked up the road.

There were the usual little jobs around the stable area and I could hear a Green Woodpecker calling.

I could see some Fieldfare in the trees ahead as I started up the bridleway. I half expected them to all take off as soon as they saw me but luckily I was able to gradually work my way closer. As one of the birds came into land it showed its white underwing showed well.

Fieldfares

Fieldfare coming in to land

I kept tucked close to the hedge and worked my way slowly closer. There was a lot of swapping back and fore with the birds, as some flew to the orchard, and some flew from it to settle in the trees. One of the birds was showing its grey rump well and another allowed a view of its undertail covets.

Fieldfares

Fieldfares

I continued to work my way closer, keeping well tucked in to the hedge. By doing this I was treated to some lovely close views. They are very handsome birds. Some were very heavily streaked with very orange breasts while others were less heavily streaked and much paler breasts.

Fieldfare

Fieldfare

I carried on down the track, surrounded by sound from the Starlings and Fieldfares. I reckon any count that I make will be an underestimate. It sounded like thousands of birds in there. There were 44 Lapwing feeding at the back of one of the fields. At one point a Common Buzzard flew through and put them all up.

Lapwings in flight

I headed on towards the old gravel pit. There was a Common Buzzard perched in the far trees, perhaps the same one that flew over. It was disappointing to find that it was impossible to see the water. The banks are too high and too much vegetation has grown up in the bits that I might have been able to see. It seems such a shame. It used to be a really good spot to watch but since they reverted it back to farmland it is just no longer visible. There were a few sheep feeding on the banks. I am not sure what breed they are. A Common Buzzard flew over and may have been the same one I saw perched.

Sheep

Sheep

Common Buzzard

There was a little bit of a puddle in one of the fields, in the same place it used to collect and where I used to sometimes see waders, but nothing was on it today and it was very small. If we suddenly get some sustained rain it would be worth checking out again.

I headed on down towards Marshside rather hoping to catch up with a Woodcock as I have seen them here before on one occasion. Unfortunately no such luck today. I did however get a new bird for the year as I saw a female Sparrowhawk (75) fly out from the wood. At the bottom of the path there was some Traveller’s Joy and I also took a photo looking back up the ploughed field.

Traveller's Joy

Vanishing point

More Fieldfares were in the bottom trees while there were a few Redwing in the garden by the footpath. Although one of the Redwing was fairly obscured by branches it did enable me to take a shot. They are lovely birds. There was another small flock of Goldfinches.

Fieldfares

Redwing

As I carried on towards Marshside there were a few Long-tailed Tits feeding along the back of the hedge but they remained too obscured to be able to get any usable shots. A Kestrel shot across and a Sparrowhawk put up a large flock of Fieldfare. They had no sooner settled after that when there were birds up everywhere, bunching together in flocks, and clearly panicked. The reason soon became clear as I could see a Peregrine (76) going through the middle of them. It really did cause chaos. I was pleased to see the Peregrine but I did feel sorry for the birds. I could hear a Robin singing from the hedge and I was able to get some nice shots of it. Initially it was quite obscured by branches but I was able to slowly work my way round until I could see it better.

Singing Robin

Singing Robin

Singing Robin

A male Chaffinch gave some nice views, turning first this way then that. It was a real case of which is my best side.

Male Chaffinch

Male Chaffinch

As I walked down the road to Marshside flocks of Starling and Fieldfares shot into the trees with a whirring of wings. There must have been a raptor again. They are amazing, the air is full of multiple calls and then suddenly it goes completely silent as if mute has been pressed. It seems to be as soon as they spot a raptor. By the sheep field there were 6 Moorhens in the dyke and as I walked along the road a Grey Heron flew over at the back. I walked as far as Reynolds Lane and then called it a day. I took a photo, from the dyke just before Reynolds Lane, and as I arrived at the lane a few Rook flew over, one of which passed right overhead.

Marshside Dyke

Rook

It had been a good, even if very painful visit and two new birds for the year was a bonus.

Birds seen this visit include: Black-headed Gull, Carrion Crow, Rook, Jackdaw, 1 Meadow Pipit, 500 Starling, c 1500 Fieldfare, 60 Redwing, House Sparrow, Goldfinch, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Long-tailed Tit, 3 Green Woodpecker, 5 Song Thrush, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Wren, 44 Lapwing, 3 Common Buzzard, Magpie, Jay, Cormorant, Sparrowhawk, Peregrine, 7 Moorhen, 1 Grey Heron

Merlin Fly Past - Shuart to Reculver 04/01/19

As it was the last day of my holiday today I decided to try a walk from Shuart to Reculver. I wasn’t sure how I would get on as I still feel pretty rough but I wanted to make the most of the last day.

It was a very cold day today with a brisk north westerly wind. It started out with a fair amount of sunshine but started to cloud over fairly soon.

I had a good start to the morning when, shortly after arriving in the car park, a Common Buzzard flew into the sheepfield hedge. It was somewhat obscured by branches but worth trying for a photo. They are beautiful birds. It was an immature and did not stay long as a dog walker arrived causing it to fly off. At the back of the sheepfield I could also see 5 Long-tailed Tits (64). One of the sheep stood watching me for a while. I am not sure what breed it is but it has a lovely face.

Common Buzzard

Sheep

I walked up to the start of the bridleway and got some nice views of a couple of Chiffchaff. Once again they were soon disturbed by a dog walker. Boy oh boy there are a lot of dog walkers. A Great Spotted Woodpecker called and 3 Ring-necked Parakeets were calling away.

Chiffchaff

Chiffchaff

I headed down the main track and managed to pick up most of the usual suspects. I still have not managed to catch up with Greenfinch though. I did however see a Moorhen (65) in one of the dykes . I saw at least 5 Chiffchaff during my walk through and was chuffed to see 2 Goldcrests. They are such lovely little birds.

A little further on a male Chaffinch posed very nicely for me and looked stunning in the sunshine. A Marsh Harrier flushed a Fieldfare as it flew over. I heard a bird call and recorded it. I couldn’t see the bird but then it flew out and appeared to be a Yellowhammer (66) and I confirmed this once I got home and could listen to the call. I am so bad at remembering calls. It seems to have got a lot worse as I have got older. It is clearly something I am going to need to work at.

Male Chaffinch

On reaching the sea wall I saw a diver fly west, which if I had been quicker I would have been able to get a photo of it as it was reasonably close. I think it was a Great Northern but I cannot be sure. It was very cold up on the wall. A male Stonechat gave some very nice views.

Male Stonechat

There was a large group of around 300 Brent Geese were chattering away. Initially they were in one of the fields with some Herring Gulls. It is only when you see them with the gulls that you realise either how small they are or how big Herring Gulls are. After a little while they all flew across and landed in the sea.

Brent Geese and Herring Gull

Brent Geese

Plumpudding island was quiet with only a few Redshank on it. Out to sea I could see 3 Great Crested Grebes while a little further on 5 Shelduck (67) were bobbing around. I was chuffed to see them, as once again they were new birds for the year.

Shelduck

Several types of waders were roosting on the shingle so I tried for some photos. There was a single Sanderling but it was clearly shy as it promptly moved out of sight. There was at least one juvenile amongst the Grey Plovers.

Dunlin

Ringed Plover

Grey Plover roosting

Grey Plover

I carried on towards Coldharbour and on reaching it I was pleased to see a single male Teal  (68) and a Little Grebe (69) amongst the 25 Mallard, which were both new birds for the year. The Little Grebe definitely did not want its photo taken but the Teal was a little more obliging. A Little Egret and a few Redshank were also there.

Teal on Coldharbour

Teal

I was very cold by this time and headed for home. The sea remained pretty quiet but I did have a Curlew west. The highlight of the walk back was a Merlin (70) shooting through. I tried for a photo and though it is not a great shot I was really pleased to get it. I had a Common Gull past (71). I got a surprise when I saw some Mute Swans flying well over at the back, beyond the oyster farm, as the Black Swan, that Chris Hindle had the other day was flying as well. I had forgotten that Black Swans had white in their wings. I tried for some photos but they were a very long way away and the light was very poor by now. I’ve added one of the photos here and though it is a really poor photo it does make a good memory shot. The Black Swan is the bird furthest to the right.

Merlin

Black Swan

I was pleased to get back to Reculver but was happy that I had tried to make the most of today. I will miss being able to come out when I want. Holidays are definitely good.

Birds I saw this visit include: 1 Common Buzzard, 2 Pheasant, 15 Lapwing, 3 Ring necked Parakeet, 8 Chaffinch, 3 Robin, c40 Blackbird, 5 Long-tailed Tits, 5 Chiffchaff, 1 Jay, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 25 Goldfinch, Blue Tit, 2 Goldcrest, Great Tit, 2 Wren, Dunnock, 5 Fieldfare, 1 Moorhen, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Yellowhammer, 5 Reed Bunting, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Kestrel, c300 Brent Geese, Herring Gull, Black-headed Gull, Carrion Crow, Rook, Jackdaw, 3 Stonechat, 1 Red-throated Diver, 3 Pied Wagtail, 3 Redwing, 1 Song Thrush, 2 Mistle Thrush, 3 Great Crested Grebe, 14 Grey Plover, 15 Dunlin, 10 Ringed Plover, 5 Turnstone, 8 Oystercatcher, 1 Sanderling, 1 Curlew, 5 Shelduck, 9 Redshank, 1 Little Grebe, 1 Teal, 25 Mallard, 1 Little Egret, Starling,  2 Coot, 2 Meadow Pipit, Cormorant, 3 Corn Bunting, 1 Black Swan.