Red Kites, Damselflies and Spotted Flycatchers - Shuart to Chambers Wall 27/05/21

I arrived at Shuart on a beautifully sunny morning with all of the usual resident birds in good voice. That is apart from a Ring-necked Parakeet whose strident calls cut through the air, and drowned out the melodic song of a Blackcap, as it flew round calling loudly. Several Dock Bugs were soaking up the welcome early morning warmth from the sun and a pair appeared to be mating.

Dock Bugs

I couldn't hear a Turtle Dove today but tractors were working in the fields which was resulting in a lot of background noise. Blackcap song followed me along and above a Common Buzzard was gradually gaining height. Good numbers of Holly Blue were on the wing and one looked as if it was probably newly emerged as its wings were still fairly rumpled.

Holly Blue Butterfly

As I neared the end of the hedgerow my first Orange-tip butterfly of the year was patrolling and covering a large distance in a surprisingly short space of time before flying back and beginning again. Reed and Sedge Warbler song filled the air and the the Lesser Whitethroat, I had passed earlier, his song was carrying well despite being a fair distance away now. Two pairs of Tufted Duck were in the dyke at opposite ends as well as a single male. I was pleased to see my first damselfly of the year as I neared the railway line and was expecting it to be an Azure but it was actually a Variable and made a nice start to the season.

Variable Damselfly

Variable Damselfly

In the same little patch of sheltered vegetation there was also a single Blue-tailed Damselfly as well as several Red-and-black Froghoppers Cercopis vulnerata and a Rhopalid bug Corizuz hyoscyami. I couldn't manage to get a photo of the Rhopalid without the light reflecting badly off it but it was nice to see a good mixture of insects in this one little sheltered patch.

Red-and-black Froghopper Cercopis vulnerata

Corizuz hyoscyami

I was pleased to also catch sight of a Common Lizard resting up amongst the vegetation as it sunned itself. Normally I would have seen one well before now but the long spell of cold weather has meant that this is the first one for the year for me.

Common Lizard

Coming up onto the embankment I could see another Orange-tip butterfly patrolling and was pleased to catch up with my first Common Blue butterfly of the year. It was a smart blue form female.

blue form female Common Blue Butterfly

blue form female Common Blue Butterfly

At the stables the air was stuffed full with the begging calls of young Starlings who appeared to be everywhere and were certainly making their presence known. I made my up to the sea wall but soon turned back as it was packed with people and decided to have a wander along the embankment instead. A Fulmar flew inland then west as I came off the sea wall. Coming back past the stables a Spotted Flycatcher flew up to perch at the top of one of the bushes and almost instantly a Goldfinch flew straight at it and drove it off. It perched again briefly lower down but the same thing happened again and the last I saw of it was as it headed west along the embankment. I hoped with a bit of luck that I might pick it up again further along. I came across another Variable Damselfly and also a Bishop's Mitre Shieldbug Aelia acuminata.

Variable Damselfly

Bishop's Mitre Shieldbug Aelia acuminata

Common Broomrape was in flower and the Lockheed Martin Hercules C-130J C4 I had seen on a previous visit came in off the sea and headed inland.

Common Broomrape

Lockheed Martin Hercules C-130J C4

I could see a couple of distant Red Kite heading west and they were followed shortly after with a group of 6 distant Red Kite spiralling round as they moved west as well.

Red Kite

Red Kites

I could see another first for the year ahead as a Small Heath butterfly flitted up ahead before moving further along. Another Common Blue butterfly settled near me on an Ox-eye Daisy and delicately probed the individual florets with its proboscis.

Common Blue Butterfly

I carried on having a wander along and was idly watching an Azure Damselfly when I glanced up and caught sight of another Red Kite coming through, nearer this time, which although it gave the overall impression of a Red Kite it also did not look quite right. I grabbed a few shots before it disappeared behind the hedge for me and when I looked at them at home I was increasingly puzzled. Characteristically it looked like a Red Kite but some aspects, particularly of plumage, seemed almost suggestive of Black Kite and the more I looked at any information I could find the more puzzled I became. With absolutely no experience with Black Kite I sent the photos to see what Chris thought and I am very grateful for his very helpful reply and for the photos of a Black Kite he sent which enabled me to compare my bird with one in a similar stance. Instantly I could see that, despite the puzzling aspects, my bird's character was still strongly suggestive of Red Kite in comparison to Matt's Black Kite in the photos. Its been an interesting bird for me and plumage wise unlike other Red Kites I have seen.

Red Kite

Red Kite

Red Kite

Red Kite

Single Red Kites continued to trickle through and a distant group of 5 Common Buzzards were also spiralling west. I caught sight of another damselfly. It was a smart male  but though it had broken antehumeral stripes it did not have a post ocular bar, not even the suggestion of one. Pronotum and markings however all suggested Variable. Nearby there was a handy male Azure Damselfly for comparison.

despite no post ocular bar other features suggest it is a male Variable Damselfly

despite no post ocular bar other features suggest it is a male Variable Damselfly

male Azure Damselfly

Skylarks were bursting with song and Whitethroat, Sedge and Reed Warblers were all in good voice. 2 Oystercatchers were on a bare patch of mud in one of the fields and one reacted each time to any Carrion Crow that came near. An Orange-tip Butterfly which had been actively patrolling helpfully settled to feed on the nearby Sainfoin and gave the chance to try for a few photos. The male is a very attractive butterfly.

Orange-tip Butterfly

Orange-tip Butterfly

Orange-tip Butterfly

Both a Sparrowhawk and a Marsh Harrier were up over the back fields. A Corn Bunting flew over calling as I made my way along. A Lesser Whitethroat was singing away and I continued to come across small numbers of both Variable and Azure Damselfly including 2 blue form female Variable Damselflies. 

blue form female Variable Damselfly

blue form female Variable Damselfly

Out of the wind the sun had some real warmth to it and it made a change to feel pleasantly warm as I wandered along. A Carrion Crow taking off from the top of a bush spread wings and tail to give as much lift as possible as with a deep downstroke it took to the air.

Carrion Crow

I had, what turned out to be my last Red Kite west and though I kept my eyes open I did not see anymore for the rest of the visit. They had all come through in just under a 50 minute window. A couple of smart male Common Blue butterflies were on the wing, blue flashes of colour as they flitted about. I had another damselfly, a female this time also with broken antehumeral stripes but no post ocular bar. The pronotum this time suggested Azure rather than Variable but did not look quite right for either. I obviously have a lot to learn with these. It will also be interesting to look up and see if hybrids occur or not.

Despite broken antehumeral stripe would pronotum and lack of post ocular bar suggest female Azure Damselfly?

I could hear a Cuckoo calling and above a few Swift were heading west in small numbers together with some Swallows. A Lacewing fluttered across and on landing I could see that it was a Chrysopa perla. 

Chrysopa perla

Chrysopa perla

I came off the embankment at Chambers Wall came across another couple of Variable Damselflies, 2 Blue-tailed Damselflies and an Azure Damselfly.

male Variable Damselfly

A little further on I also saw a couple of newly emerged teneral Red-eyed Damselflies.

teneral Red-eyed Damselfly

teneral Red-eyed Damselfly

I'd rather hoped for a flycatcher and was well chuffed when a Spotted Flycatcher flicked out from the hedgerow as I made my way up the track before flying up and disappearing to the other side of the hedge. I could see through a small gap that it was flycatching from the hedgerow on the other side of the field. I wondered if it could be the same one that I had seen at Shuart flying west along the embankment.

Spotted Flycatcher

I could still see it when I came up to the gap in the hedgerow and could also see another 2 Spotted Flycatchers in the bushes by the car park. Now that I wasn't expecting.

Spotted Flycatcher

Spotted Flycatcher

Spotted Flycatcher

It was about to get even better though. I left them fly catching away and started up the exit road. I was surprised when ahead I could see another 2 Spotted Flycatchers near the end of the hedgerow. I had only just turned the corner so it seemed unlikely they were the same birds from the car park but I did have a peep back just in case and no, they were still there. The five Spotted Flycatchers made a very nice end to an enjoyable visit.

Spotted Flycatcher

Spotted Flycatcher

Birds seen this visit included: 2 Pheasant, 5 Chaffinch, Jackdaws, 8 Blackbird, 1 Robin, 9 Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff, Blue Tits, Great Tits, Wood Pigeons, 2 Stock Dove, 3 Wren, 2 Ring-necked Parakeet, Skylarks, 4 Magpie, Carrion Crows, 16 Goldfinch, 1 House Martin, 3 Moorhen, 9 Common Buzzard, 2 Green Woodpecker, Sedge Warblers, 17 Whitethroat, 2 Red-legged Partridge, 2 Mistle Thrush, Reed Warblers, 8 Cetti's Warbler, 8 Swift, 2 Swallow, Herring Gulls, 2 Sand Martin, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 11 Reed Bunting, 2 Dunnock, 1 Oystercatcher, 3 Yellow Wagtail, 5 Tufted Duck, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Little Egret, Starlings, 4 Swallow, 6 Linnet, 1 Great Black-backed Gull, Herring Gulls, 3 Ringed Plover, 2 Stonechat, 9 Sanderling, 3 Mute Swan, 3 Oystercatcher, 2 Marsh Harrier, 1 Fulmar, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 11 Red kite, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Corn Bunting,  Cuckoo, 1 Kestrel, 5 Spotted Flycatcher

Spoonbill, Little Terns, Spotted Flycatchers and a Hairy Dragonfly - Reculver 09/05/21

When I arrived at Reculver this morning the local Robin was in its usual spot on the rocks by the car park and just as intolerant, as always, towards other birds, seeing off a White Wagtail that landed briefly nearby. As I came past the towers I was idly scanning round when I suddenly picked up a Spoonbill coming in high over the sea and heading south south west. Now that really was a welcome sight. In the second photo the Spoonbill has twisted its head to look up at a Little Egret which then dropped down and tucked itself in behind the Spoonbill. The photos are heavily cropped as the Spoonbill was quite a distance away so they have not come out well but they do at least make some nice memory shots. It appeared to be a juvenile as it had some black in its wingtips and seeing it certainly made my day. A very welcome surprise indeed.

Spoonbill

Spoonbill

Spoonbill

Spoonbill

Spoonbill and Little Egret

A Common Sandpiper was working its way along a muddy edge of a lagoon on the oyster farm and above small numbers of Swift, Swallow, Sand Martin and a few House Martins were heading west. The weather was very changeable with good patches of blue sky quickly replaced by threatening rain clouds and then blue patches again.

Out to sea remained quiet and the tide was steadily coming in. The air was alive with a good mix of song and Sedge Warblers together with Whitethroats were were definitely giving it everything they had. I could hear a distant Cuckoo and above me a female/immature Marsh Harrier flew out to sea. A flock of 28 Turnstone flew in with a Dunlin and a couple of Sanderling tucked in with them.

Turnstone, Dunlin and Sanderling

Both Sanderling were attractively plumaged but one was particularly striking with its strong rufous tones. A real little beauty. There is a lovely mix of plumages amongst the Sanderling at present and I really enjoy seeing them.

Sanderling

Sanderling and Turnstone

Sanderling and Turnstone

While watching the Sanderling I looked up to see a Common Tern coming in off the sea. It flew directly overhead as it moved inland and its inner primaries were translucent as the light shone through them. 

Common Tern

Out to sea a flock of 115 Sanderling and a couple of Dunlin had been flushed from the beach by dog walkers and flashed light and then dark as they banked and turned while bunched together. Once the coast was clear they came back into land again, their wing bars gleaming as they flew in.

Sanderling and a Dunlin

When I had first arrived this morning a couple of Mute Swan had been quite a long way out to sea and now they gave a masterclass on landing on water as they came closer in. I love watching them come into land on water and for such large and heavy birds they have superb control as they land with feet out and water ski on the surface momentarily before settling down into the water.

Mute Swans

Mute Swans

Mute Swans

A couple of Sandwich Tern were off shore heading east and as I carried on along the sea wall there was a noticeable drop in temperature with a lot of cloud and a strengthening wind. I was really surprised, therefore, when a dragonfly lifted off the sea wall, a little way ahead of me, and flew across before going straight down on the other side of the concrete slope. I had a scan for it when I reached the slope and couldn't believe my luck when I was able to pick it up tucked down at the base of the reed stems at the bottom of the slope. Initially its wings were partially open but then it folded them closed, presumably to conserve heat. It was a beautiful female Hairy Dragonfly and was a very welcome sight indeed, being my first dragonfly of the year, something which is always just that bit extra special.

female Hairy Dragonfly

female Hairy Dragonfly

female Hairy Dragonfly

Well chuffed, I carried on towards Coldharbour. Another Common Tern came in off the sea while on the shingle a smart White Wagtail was searching for insects. 

White Wagtail

White Wagtail

I had a sit on the sea wall before heading round Coldharbour and it turned out to be a good decision as a couple of minutes later I heard Little Tern call and two flew east, pausing to fish and then moving on to fish behind Coldharbour. They are gorgeous terns and always a joy to watch.

Little Tern

Little Tern

Little Terns

Little Tern

Little Tern

They came into land behind Coldharbour before continuing east. What little beauties. A couple of Shelduck flew up from Coldharbour, as a dog walker came along the shingle bank, and gave a close flypast before flying in a large loop, passing an increasingly busy Reculver, and eventually coming to settle back onto Coldharbour once the coast was clear.

Shelduck

Shelduck

I headed round Coldharbour and saw a Wheatear briefly by one of the fields. Carrying on towards Plumpudding 6 Grey Plover flew in to roost. A little further along a couple of Oystercatchers were fairly close to the sea wall and as one turned to watch me its eye glowed in the light.

Oystercatcher

A Cetti's Warbler was making its presence known on the other side of the sea wall at Plumpudding while the only inhabitants of Plumpudding appeared to be 3 Mallard and a couple of Linnet and 4 Pied Wagtail. A pair of Tufted Duck were in one of the dykes as I carried on.

Tufted Duck

While having another sit on the sea wall a couple of Mediterranean Gulls flew over and headed out to sea. I thought they were both adults but the one I photographed has some black in its primaries and appears to be a second summer.

second summer Mediterranean Gull

second summer Mediterranean Gull

second summer Mediterranean Gull

Another Cetti's Warbler was singing at the stables as were 2 Lesser Whitethroat. Goldfinch and Linnet were flitting around and 4 Pied Wagtail were in the paddocks. There were a couple of very distant Wheatear in a far paddock.

Wheatear

I had a wander along the embankment and once again I could hear lots of Sedge Warblers. I have heard good numbers of them today. A Common Buzzard and a Marsh Harrier were up at various points along and another Cuckcoo was calling from the direction of Shuart. Another distant Wheatear was making the most of the lookout provided by a manmade raised area.

Wheatear

As I got nearer to Chambers Wall a skulky Cuckoo was tucked in a tree. A Painted Lady Butterfly flew up from the path while a Peacock Butterfly was making the most of some blossom flowers. A patch of Sainfoin in flower caught my eye with its colourful and pretty flowers. A couple more Lesser Whitethroat were calling and another Cetti's Warbler burst into song.

Cuckoo

Peacock Butterfly

Sainfoin

Another Cetti's Warbler greeted me as I made my way up the track at Chambers Wall. 2 Spotted Flycatchers were in the hedgerow and were a welcome sight. They are lovely birds and full of character.

Spotted Flycatcher

Spotted Flycatcher

A Willow Warbler was singing sweetly and once again the air was alive with song with Lesser Whitethroat, Whitethroat, Sedge, Reed, Blackcap and a couple of very loud Cetti's Warblers all represented. I was pleased to catch up with a Garden Warbler, again, always a welcome sight and it was then kind enough to sing. It made a very nice end to a thoroughly enjoyable and productive visit.

Birds seen this visit included: 3 Robin, 3 White Wagtail, 21 Mute Swan, Herring Gulls, Black-headed Gulls, 32 Sand Martin west , 97 Swallows west, 1 juvenile Spoonbill, 2 Little Egret, 10 Blackbird, 15 Swift, 7 House Martin, House Sparrows, 4 Wren, 21 Whitethroat, 3 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Common Sandpiper, 38 Sedge Warbler, 8 Meadow Pipit, 17 Mallard, 18 Linnet, 2 Marsh Harrier, 6 Stonechat, 3 Great Black-backed Gull, 3 Reed Warbler, 12 Reed Bunting, 11 Oystercatcher, 1 Redshank, 3 Sandwich Tern, 10 Pied Wagtail, 18 Ringed Plover, 7 Lapwing, 7 Magpie, 1 Song Thrush, 35 Turnstone, 5 Dunlin, 137 Sanderling, 4 Cuckoo, 2 Common Tern, 4 Wheatear, 4 Shelduck, 6 Kestrel, 21 Ringed Plover, 6 Grey Plover, 8 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Mediterranean Gull, 15 Chaffinch, 11 Goldfinch, 7 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Common Buzzard, 2 Spotted Flycatcher, 6 Blackcap, 1 Garden Warbler, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff, Blue Tits, Great Tits,