Hawkers, Bees and a Juvenile Shelduck - Shuart to Reculver 22/08/20

I had a fairly quiet walk through Shuart and managed to miss most of the rain showers apart from one and that soon went over. The sky looked quite spectacular at one point with a diagonal split between the rain clouds and the clear blue sky revealed as they moved off.

Rain showers moving through

A female Tufted Duck (135) was on one of the far dykes as I neared the end of the track and as a Mute Swan came into land it threw a perfect shadow of its head and neck onto its back lit wings.

Mute Swan

As the sea wall already looked very busy I decided to have a wander along the embankment instead and see what birds and insects were about there. A pair of mating Migrant Hawkers were resting up and allowed a photo before moving on.

Mating Migrant Hawkers

It had clouded over again and in the breezy and cool conditions all was fairly quiet along the embankment. I came across a couple of bees that gave me pause. The first I think is a sun-bleached Red-tailed Bumblebee Bombus lapidarius with a very bleached tail and the thorax hairs almost bleached to brown. When I first saw it I did wonder about a Red-shanked Carder Bee as I have not seen such a pale tailed Red-tailed before but there are no orange hairs on hind tibiae.

The second I did wonder about Brown-banded Carder Bee or Moss Carder Bee when I first saw it but I cannot be completely sure from the photos and it may just be a Common Carder Bee. I enjoy trying to work it out but I am continuing to find bees's very challenging and I am sure I will make lots of mistakes in the meantime but that is how you learn most. Both were interesting bee's to watch, photograph and then try and learn from. Hopefully as I learn more I will be able to correctly identify with more certainty this bee.

A late instar nymph of the Dock Bug Coreus marginatus was trying to soak up any warmth that it could get as was a Sphaeraphoria scripta.

late instar nymph Dock Bug Coreus marginatus

Sphaeraphoria scripta

I had a wander down to Coldharbour which was very quiet apart from some Black-headed Gulls and a Common Sandpiper. The walk to Reculver remained pretty quiet as well but it was nice to see a juvenile Shelduck on the beach. They are attractive birds. and it made a nice end to the visit.

juvenile Shelduck

Birds seen this visit included: Blue Tits, Great Tits, 5 Wren, 3 Robin, 2 Chaffinch, 3 Reed Warbler, 3 Blackcap, 1 Jay, Black-headed Gulls, Herring Gulls, Wood Pigeons, 2 Stock Dove, 5 Whitethroat, 5 Green Woodpecker, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Kestrel, 2 Magpie, Crows, Rooks, Jackdaws, 37 Linnet, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Tufted Duck, 1 Mute Swan, 4 Swift, 1 Marsh Harrier, 12 Goldfinch, 22 Swallow, 2 Common Sandpiper, 12 Turnstone, 8 Ringed Plover, 4 Sanderling, 1 juvenile Shelduck, 3 Stonechat, 28 Oystercatcher, 

A Magpie Looking for a Tail - Reculver 22/01/19

As it was such a beautifully sunny afternoon I paid a visit to Reculver after work. Though it was cold, there was next to no wind. I only caught the very last of the sunshine but it was extremely welcome. The sea appeared to be very quiet with only a few Herring and Black-headed Gulls on the water and remained quiet the whole time I was there. There was a small flock of 9 House Sparrows in their usual bush while the Blackbird was out hunting for worms again. I could see 8 Mute Swan in the back fields but otherwise it was very quiet.

I headed along the sea wall and saw a Curlew fly west. I did try for a photo but did not have much success with it. There were a couple of Mute Swan in one of the oyster farm dykes. Every now and then a Redshank would call and have a quick fly round. The tide appeared to be going out but only very slowly.

Curlew

I could see a Short-eared Owl hunting in the distance over the oyster far but unfortunately, though I saw it several times throughout my visit, it never came close enough to try for a photo. When I looked back towards the towers I could see a large bank of cloud coming in. The forecast for tomorrow is not great. A Carrion Crow flew past me so I grabbed a shot.

Reculver and Sky

Carrion Crow

A Redshank flew down onto the churned up mud and was kind enough to allow some photos. In the photos I can see that it is ringed.

Ringed Redshank

Ringed Redshank

I liked the reflection of one of the cormorant poles in the sea, with said Cormorant standing on top of it. I caught up with the tailless Magpie again and though a little distant I tried for a photo. I wonder how it lost its tail.

Cormorant and pole

Tailless Magpie

I had a sit and a rest on the sea wall, near the green bank, and a flock of 22 Linnet were spread between a couple of the bushes. They were chattering away. I had to use a high ISO but at least it meant that I have some nice memory shots.

Linnets

Linnets

I was really very cold by this time and in a lot of pain so I started to head back. The walk back was very quiet. Once I was back near the towers I could hear a Little Owl calling and also 3 separate Grey Partridge (79) calling.

As I neared the car park I thought I would try for a shot of the bay. It has not come out great but I like the reflections in the water.

Night shot of the Bay

Birds seen this visit include: 9 House Sparrow, Blackbird, Herring Gull, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Mute Swan, Meadow Pipit, Carrion Crow, Redshank, 1 Curlew west, 2 Dunnock, Robin, 3 Stonechat, 22 Linnet, 1 Song Thrush, Wren, Reed Bunting, 1 Short-eared Owl, 1 Little Gull, 3 Grey Partridge

A Battle With a Worm - Reculver 20/01/19

I paid a visit to Reculver, after work, this afternoon. It was a beautiful day, sunny with some cloud, and though cold the north easterly wind wasn't so strong which made a difference from the strong winds we've had recently.

I had a walk towards the sea wall, via the towers, and saw a Blackbird catch a huge earthworm. I really didn’t think that it would be able to swallow it, particularly as it attempted to swallow it whole. It took it a few minutes, and quite a struggle, to manage to swallow it and it had to pause and just sit with the tip of the worms tail still visible in its open bill once it had almost succeeded, before finally being able to completely swallow it. Amazingly, afterwards, the Blackbird immediately started hunting again. I was somewhat surprised it could even move. I tried for a series of photos but the initial ones were very blurred, as my shutter speed was too slow, so although I have included the one that gives a good idea how big the worm was, they pick up again with much of the poor worm already swallowed. 

Blackbird and worm

Blackbird and worm

Blackbird and worm

Almost gone!

Hungrey again!

When I reached the sea wall there was a female/immature Marsh Harrier hunting at the back of the fields, near the railway line. I hoped that it might come closer for some photos but it went over Brook direction instead. I could also see 12 Mute Swans in the back fields. There were 11 Mallard out to sea. I saw a yacht passing the red buoy out to sea and it looked great as the sun caught its sails.

Yacht

I carried on along the seawall. Every now and then Redshank's would call or fly over . The tide was falling and gradually little patches of shore were being exposed. I was really pleased to see a distant Short-eared Owl (77) over the oyster farm and hoped that I might see it again a little closer, once I was further along the sea wall. A very sweet Robin was feeding amongst the churned up mud. It was a real little fluff ball. Out to sea some Mallards flew past close to shore and I was able to grab a shot of a couple of them.

Mallards in flight

I was very pleased to see the Short-eared Owl again a few times. It was mainly very distant but it did, on occasions, come a little closer so I tried for some shots. They have not come out very well, as I had to use a very high ISO, but they do make good memory shots. I love watching owls.

Short-eared Owl

Short-eared Owl on patrol

Short-eared Owl

It was getting very cold by now and I started to make my way back. A Little Egret flew over and landed on the shore. I did try for some photos but there was not really enough light. The sky looked quite spectacular.

Sunset

There is due to be a total eclipse of the moon tonight, it will be a super blood wolf moon. Super because the moon will be near its closest approach to earth, wolf because that is what full moons in January are called, apparently, and red because of the earths shadow. When I looked behind me I could see the rising moon just beginning to be clear of the clouds. I grabbed a shot before it was totally obscured again and then further along, once it was clear of the clouds, I tried for another shot, this time using spot metering.

Rising Moon

Rising Moon

As I came up to the towers I could hear a Little Owl (78) calling. I took a photo of the ruins with the moon in the background and then one of the towers with the moon. I liked the edging to the clouds. Once I got to the car park I tried another photo of the towers with the moon just above. Hopefully I might see the totality of the eclipse before I go to work in the morning. Apparently it will be the last full one visible from here for quite a while. The forecast looks hopeful that the sky will be clear.

Reculver Ruins and moon

Reculver Towers and moon

Reculver Towers and moon

In the early hours of Monday morning I took a photo of the blood moon and have included it here.

Blood Moon

Birds seen this visit included: 3 Blackbird, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, 2 Pied Wagtail, 1 Marsh Harrier, 15 Redshank, 18 Mallard, 5 Sanderling, 6 Ringed Plover, 5 Turnstone, 2 Curlew, 10 Oystercatcher, 5 Dunlin, 1 Grey Plover, 2 Brent Geese, 1 Little Egret, 2 Stonechat, 5 Meadow Pipit,1  Magpie, Carrion Crow, 12 Mute Swan, 1 Mistle Thrush, Little Owl heard calling.

An Unpopular Grey Heron - Shuart to Reculver 25/10/18

I decided to try and walk from Shuart to Reculver today after my appointment this morning. It was going to be a little tight for time but it was nice to be able to give it a go. It was a beautifully sunny day but with a brisk cool north westerly wind. I started off with a Buzzard thermaling and also a Kestrel. There were lots of the usual little jobs around and a flock of Chaffinches were busily feeding away. 8 Fieldfare flew over but I was not quick enough to get any photos of them. I had a walk up to the bridleway but it was very quiet. A Great Spotted Woodpecker called and gave brief views and a pair of Jays were in the tree canopy.

As I headed along the main path I saw 8 Redwing in the trees with a few Blue Tits and Great Tits feeding away busily. The Redwing were a little distant but I tried for some photos as they are the first I’ve seen close enough to try for a photograph. 

Redwing

Further along a Migrant Hawker perched very nicely for me and allowed a close photo. They are always a pleasure to see.

Migrant Hawker

I carried on down and could hear the odd Skylark passing overhead. 14 Fieldfare flew over going west and a little while later I had 12 Siskin fly west which was very nice. Another 9 Fieldfare flew over going west once again, followed shortly after by another 12. Several Red Admiral butterflies were on the wing but did not want to be photographed at all but a Reed Bunting did perch nicely for me. They are lovely little birds.

Reed Bunting

I headed along the embankment for a little while but it was very quiet on the whole so I worked my way back towards the sea wall as at least I could sit down along there and keep an eye on anything that might go past. There was a very smart Speckled Wood butterfly sunning itself and a Common Darter doing the same thing.

Speckled Wood Butterfly

Common Darter

On my way back I saw a very smart Magpie that was feeding along the embankment. I love how the different colours reflect in the black plummage as the sun catches it. 

Magpie

A Common Blue Butterfly gave nice views as it sunned itself and a small Hoverfly also gave good views. I will really miss dragonflies, butterflies and insects. It was sad to see the butterfly looking so worn.

Common Blue Butterfly

Hoverfly

Once I reached the sea wall I headed towards Reculver. There was a group of waders roosting on the beach and it included 11 Curlew, 1 Whimbrel, 160 Oystercatchers, 25 Redshank, 2 Dunlin and 8 Ringed Plover. 

Curlew and Whimbrel

A little further along a Cetti’s Warbler called from beside the dyke but I didn’t manage to catch sight of it. 3 Stonechat gave some nice views and a couple of Redshank were on Plumpudding Island. I like the refections in the water.

Redshank

It was a quiet walk to Coldharbour. 16 Redshank flew up from there having been disturbed by a couple of cyclists who were yelling at each other. A family of Pheasant were at the back of one of the fields next to the green bank with a few Fieldfare. There were a couple of late flowers on a Horned Poppy and though they were closed I thought it was worth a shot. 

Horned Poppy

A highlight was seeing a Merlin coming in off the sea, with a Black-headed Gull in hot pursuit. The Merlin kept going while the gull got bored and headed back out to sea. I grabbed a shot of the Merlin but it didn’t come out. Lovely to see though. I saw a large bunting that had me puzzled for a moment until I realised it was a Corn Bunting. They are amazing birds and far from plain in reality. There were several singing a sub song and in total I saw 8. 

The clouds were spectacular by this time and I tried for a photo.

Sky Formation

Further along a Grey Heron flew in and landed on some newly exposed rocks. A Black-headed Gull took grave exception and repeatedly flew at and around it alarm calling like mad. The Grey Heron clearly was not very keen on this.

Grey Heron and Black-headed Gull

Grey Heron and Black-headed Gull

Grey Heron and Black-headed Gull

Grey Heron and Black-headed Gull

The tide was falling as I walked back and 3 Grey Herons were gathered on some exposed rocks while another was further down.

Grey Herons

There was a very nice sunset as I neared Reculver. We are very lucky as we get some really beautiful ones in this part of the world.

Sunset

As I walked round to the towers a Little Owl flew up and looked at me from a telegraph pole. It was a shame that the light was so poor by this time as it meant I could not get a decent photo but it makes a good memory shot. Hopefully, perhaps, it might do it again when the light is better. Seeing the Little Owl was a very nice finish to the day.

Little Owl

Birds seen this visit include: 2 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 2 Jay, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 6 Wren, Robin, Dunnock, Chaffinch, Blue Tit, Great Tit, 63 Fieldfare west, 11 Redwing, 3 Greenfinch, 2 Goldcrest, 2 Chiffchaff, Blackbird, Skylark, 12 Siskin west, Magpie, 5 Reed Bunting, 4 Pied Wagtail, 20 Meadow Pipit, House Sparrow, Starling, 12 Turnstone, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, 11 Curlew, 1 Whimbrel, 25 Redshank,  2 Dunlin, 162 Oystercatcher, 5 Stonechat, 8 Corn Bunting, 2 Mute Swan, 25 Goldfinches, Mallard, 1 Merlin, 7 Grey Heron, 5 Pheasant (2 adults and 3 youngsters), 1 Little Owl.