Sunbeams, Coal Tits and Willow Warbler Song - Broomfield Track 10/04/20

I had an early morning walk for my exercise walk today and the air was full of bird song as I made my way along. More Whitethroat were in evidence today and I enjoyed listening to their song and calls. None were in the mood to be photographed though as they flitted from song post to song post, marking out their territory. As I came along the bottom path the sun was streaming through the trees and the effect of the sunbeams and backlit leaves was beautiful.

There also appeared to be more Blackcap in today and at various points the air was alive with their song. A Rabbit enjoying the sunshine seemed remarkably unconcerned with my presence and only moved off at a leisurely pace when I got nearer.

Rabbit

Two male Blackcap were chasing each other through one of the trees and the victor allowed a quick shot as he paused to check that the other bird had moved on. I heard my first Willow Warbler (107) of spring singing and it was lovely to hear the song once again.

Blackcap

A Fieldfare called as it flew across and 2 Red-legged Partridge flew up in a flurry of wing beats before disappearing into cover. Just before I started up towards the upper path I could hear a couple of Coal Tits calling from above me. They are lovely little birds and I always enjoy listening to their calls and song. A Great Spotted Woodpecker was busily drumming away and a Ring-necked Parakeet called.

Coal Tit

Coal Tit

The rest of the walk was very pleasant in the early morning sunshine but remained fairly quiet. A Common Buzzard flew over and a little while later a Sparrowhawk rose lazily into the sky. I finished my walk with a Speckled Wood butterfly enjoying the warmth in a patch of sun.

Speckled Wood Butterfly

In the afternoon, while out in the garden, the local Herring Gulls started to kick up a fuss and the cause turned out to be a passing Red Kite which was a very welcome sight. I did not manage much in the photo line but it is nice to have couple of memory shots.

Red Kite

Red Kite

Birds seen this visit included: 6 Whitethroat, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Common Buzzard, 11 Chiffchaff, 1 Fieldfare, 2 Red-legged Partridge, 3 Wren, 6 Dunnock, 8 Blackbird, Blue Tits, Great Tits, 5 Robin, House Sparrows, Carrion Crows, Rooks, Jackdaws, 2 Collared Doves, 12 Chaffinch, 2 Coal Tits, 10 Blackcap, 1 Jay, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Little Owl, Ring-necked Parakeet, 5 Stock Dove, 1 Kestrel, 1 Sparrowhawk

Peregrine, Rock Pipit, Pied Flycatcher and the Memphis Belle - Reculver to Shuart 06/09/19

It was very nice to have my first free day for birdwatching, that I have been able to have for the last couple of weeks, allowing me to aim for a slow wander from Reculver to Shuart. It was overcast with a light south westerly wind when I arrived but with the wind increasing to blustery as the visit went on. The tide was on the turn and had already started to go out. As I passed the towers a couple of Willow Warbler were working their way through one of the bushes and they made a good start to the visit. 6 Yellow Wagtail flew west overhead and 160 Starling around the towers area.

Willow Warbler

As I walked round to the sea wall I saw a Little Owl in its usual spot which is always a welcome sight. A Robin was ticking away and a couple of Little Egret flew overhead. On reaching the sea wall I had a look out to sea but it appeared to be very quiet with just a few passing Herring and Black-headed Gulls. 3 Turnstone flew east and another couple of Little Egret flew towards Coldharbour. A Greenshank flew up briefly, calling away, from the dyke running parallel to the oyster farm before settling back down again. A juvenile Herring Gull was ousted from one of the marker poles as a Cormorant flew in and laid claim to it.

Cormorant and juvenile Herring Gull

 A mixed flock of 24 Ringed Plover, 9 Turnstone, 1 Dunlin and 1 Sanderling flew past before settling on the newly exposed shore. The Greenshank from the oyster farm flew up from where I had seen it settle and then was joined by another and both flew away calling before coming down again further into the oyster farm.

Ringed Plover, Turnstone, Dunlin and Sanderling

Dunlin

Sanderling, Ringed Plover and Turnstone

A Mediterranean Gull flew west as I carried on along the sea wall. Small numbers of Oystercatcher were flying east calling nosily. I came across a couple of Wheatear.

Wheatear

Wheatear

A juvenile Peregrine flew past me, coming from behind, and unfortunately I only saw it as it was flying away which was a shame as it came past me pretty close. Luckily for me it settled on the shore further along, for a little while, which enabled me to try for some photos. They are not very good, and cropped, but I felt really lucky to be able to get them and they make good memory shots.

Peregrine

Peregrine

There appeared to be a small movement of Meadow Pipits with small groups heading west. Goldfinches were feeding amongst the Teasels. I saw another Wheatear on the rocks together with a Whinchat. The Whinchat was chased off the rocks by a Meadow Pipit and flew across to the bushes before dropping to the other side. Whinchat's seem poorly tolerated by both Reed Buntings and Meadow Pipits. A Teal flew east out to sea and Sandwich Terns were mainly heading west with the largest group being 20. As the morning went on it became more difficult to count the Sandwich Terns as they appeared to be moving both east and west and it was hard to know which were the same ones I was seeing. A first winter Sandwich Tern gave a good view as it went past.

1st winter Sandwich Tern

Coldharbour was very quiet with just a few Black-headed Gulls on it. I carried on up to Plumpudding and caught up with the juvenile Peregrine again as it shot through putting up a flock of 35 Linnet but otherwise Plumpudding was also very quiet. 19 House Martin came in off the sea in a group and then continued west.

Peregrine

I added Curlew and Common Sandpiper to the waders seen today as I carried on towards the turn off the wall I would take for Shuart. A large number of House Sparrows were flying down to feed amongst the stubble with c300 moving from the stubble to bushes and back again.

House Sparrows

House Sparrows

I got a nice surprise as I neared the turn off when I saw a pipit land on the shore and could see it was a Rock Pipit, my first of the autumn. It only stayed very briefly before flying low over the shore west and possibly coming down beyond the rocks. I couldn't manage much of a photo but was pleased to be able to get anything before it moved on. A few Wood Pigeon were feeding in one of the fields and a hovering Kestrel suddenly dived at the pigeons and made contact with one, plucking a few feathers as it did so but it did not appear to be able to do more than that as it immediately carried on flying off after making contact. Apart from having lost a few feathers the Wood Pigeon appeared to have survived the encounter.

Rock Pipit

I came off the sea wall and made my way past the stables. A Kestrel was hovering and causing consternation amongst the House Sparrows and Linnets. It was nice to catch sight of a Pied Flycatcher and a Blackcap appeared to be tutting away at its presence. 6 Pied Wagtails were in the paddocks. House Sparrow numbers seem higher each time I come and a large group were in the stables area, with some of them giving a chance for a closer photo.

Kestrel

male House Sparrow

After crossing over the railway line I had a couple of Swift at Shuart. While taking photos of one of them I heard a plane and looked up to see the Memphis Belle Sally B' Flying Fortress going over.

Swift

Memphis Belle Sally B' Flying Fortress

Common Darters were plentiful as I made my way though Shuart and a few Migrant Hawkers were on the wing, despite the coolness of the wind. At least they were sheltered from the worst of the wind by the hedge.

Common Darter

Several Holly Blue Butterflies were resting up on the ivy. A Green-veined White gave the chance for a photo as did a smart Red Admiral butterfly. A very worn Comma was resting on the ground.

Green-veined White

Red Admiral

Comma

A couple of bushes had attracted a mix of birds, as they moved through, with 3 Chiffchaff, 2 Willow Warblers, Blue and Great Tits and 7 Long-tailed Tits. I finished an enjoyable visit with 4 Common Buzzard in the air at the same time and a singing Red-legged Partridge giving some good views.

Red-legged Partridge

Red-legged Partridge

Birds seen this visit include: 5 Willow Warbler, 7 Yellow Wagtail, Wood Pigeons, 420 House Sparrows, 220 Starling, Black-headed Gulls, 32 Oystercatcher, 1 Little Owl, 23 Turnstone, 4 Robin, 6 Little Egret, 8 Magpie, Carrion Crows, 12 Goldfinch, 2 Reed Bunting, 2 Greenshank, 48 Ringed Plover, 1 Dunlin, 1 Sanderling, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 1 Redshank, 41 Meadow Pipit, 2 Mallard, 4 Wheatear, 169 Linnet, 26 Swallow, 1 Pheasant, 2 Grey Heron, 4 Whitethroat, 33 west, 8 east Sandwich Tern, 1 Whinchat, 4 Kestrel, 5 Chiffchaff, 1 Teal east, 9 Pied Wagtail, 5 Coot, 1 Dunlin, 27 House Martin, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Curlew, 2 Collared Dove, 3 Mute Swan, 1 Rock Pipit, 1 Blackcap, 1 Pied Flycatcher, 1 Moorhen, 2 Swift, 1 Wren, Blue Tits, Great Tits, 7 Long-tailed Tits, 2 Chaffinch, 1 Green Woodpecker, 4 Common Buzzard, 1 Red-legged Partridge

A Quiet but Enjoyable Walk Through - Shuart to Chambers Wall 26/07/19

I started out from Shuart today. Rain was threatening for the first part of the visit and I could see a couple of flashes of lightening out to the west but they never got any closer. In the end it stayed dry and turned warm and sunny. 5 Wren's were in the car park area with a couple of Robins. I stopped to enjoy a male Blackcap's song a little further on and as I did so I heard a brief call that sounded like a Water Rail. Though I stayed a while to listen I didn't hear anything further and the only birds I could see in the dyke were an adult Moorhen and a youngster. I will have to see if I hear it again. A Little Owl called which is always a welcome sound. It was a fairly quiet walk through to the sea wall with most of the usual jobs present. I enjoyed watching a couple of immature Willow Warblers as they worked their way through the hedgerow.

immature Willow Warbler

There were certainly good numbers of Wren around and at least 4 Migrant Darters. I saw several juvenile Reed Warblers. I was puzzled by one of the warblers that I saw and managed to get some photos. Further on I met Matt Hindle and asked him to have a look at the photos. He instantly recognised it as a Reed Warbler and once I got home and looked at the photos I could see it but at the time I really wondered what it was. I have still got lots to learn.

juvenile Reed Warbler

A juvenile Cuckcoo flew from a bush and gave a brief view before it dived into the next one. I did not manage much of a shot but was pleased to get what I did.

juvenile Cuckoo

I saw a large family of Blue Tits working their way through an apple tree with 8 youngsters busily feeding. I couldn't get much of a shot but it makes a good memory shot.

young Blue Tit

30 Swallow were hawking for insects over the horse paddocks as I came up to the stables and several of the horses had rows of Starling passengers on their backs. 6 Pied Wagtail were busily looking for insects. The sea was rougher today but appeared very quiet for birds as I reached the sea wall. The tide was almost in but on the turn. A Sandwich Tern flew east and a Ringed Plover was calling noisily from the beach. I had a Kingfisher fly past and fly up onto some rocks. They are always a joy to see.

Kingfisher

A single Great Crested Grebe was out to sea and 8 Whimbrel were roosting on the shore in groups of 5 and 3. A Ringed Plover flew in overhead before turning for shore again. Meadow Pipits were popping up onto the sea wall. Plumpudding Island was very quiet apart from a few Goldfinches, Linnets and Meadow Pipits and a single Little Egret. I could hear a Greenshank calling from out to sea but could not see it from where I was at Plumpudding Island. I carried on towards Coldharbour and the odd Sandwich Tern continued to fly past as did a Little Egret. A young Yellow Wagtail was on the sea wall. They are lovely little birds.

immature Yellow Wagtail

immature Yellow Wagtail

I carried on to the green bank and had a Common Sandpiper past out to sea. 3 Stonechat were alongside the sea wall. I headed up the path parallel to the green bank. Several Emperor Dragonflies were on the wing as were Common Darters. A Common Blue Butterfly paused long enough, as it fed on some Red Clover, for a photo.

Common Blue Butterfly

I could hear a Linnet calling away and could see a particularly brightly pumaged male above me.

male Linnet

male Linnet

A teneral Migrant Hawker was hanging from a stem and gave an opportunity for some photographs.

teneral Migrant Hawker

teneral Migrant Hawker

teneral Migrant Hawker

On reaching the railway embankment over 30 Goldfinches were enjoying the thistle heads. They make such a lovely sound as they chatter away. A Grey Heron was in one of the fields. There was a lot of Common Toadflax in patches along the embankment.It looked lovely in the sunshine but was hard to find a bit that was not partially obscured by vegetation.

Common Toadflax

On reaching Chambers Wall I had a look beside the river. 2 Green Sandpipers flew up calling noisily and Swallows were hawking for insects. I could see a couple of Brown Hawkers and also 2 Emperor Dragonflies.Unfortunately I had run out of time and needed to get back for a meeting so I couldn't linger. A male Sparrowhawk shot through and turned on a sixpence to chase a Reed Warbler that had flown up in alarm. It missed it by a fraction and carried on through. I finished with distant views of a Common Buzzard and 7 Lapwing flying over. It had been a fairly quiet visit overall but an enjoyable walk through.

Lapwing

Birds seen this visit include: Wood Pigeons, 15 Wren, 2 Robin, 6 Blackbird, 7 Green Woodpecker, 6 Chaffinch, 1 Little Owl, Blue Tits, Great Tits, 8 Magpie, 2 Moorhen, 2 Pheasant, 8 Reed Warbler, Herring Gulls, 1 Blackcap, 1 Jay, 5 Mallard, 9 Whitethroat, 16 Reed Bunting, 17 Sedge Warbler, Skylarks, 2 Common Buzzard, 3 Willow Warbler, 3 Sedge Warbler, Carrion Crow, 1 Dunnock, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Kestrel, 36 Goldfinch, 53 Swallow, 7 Pied Wagtail, House Sparrows, Starlings, Linnets, 6 Sandwich Tern, Black-headed Gulls, Cormorants, 10 Ringed Plover, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 8 Whimbrel, 13 Meadow Pipits, 3 Little Egret, 7 Oystercatcher, 1 Greenshank, 1 Common Tern, 1 Great Black-backed Gull, 3 Coot, 1 Turnstone, 1 Common Sandpiper, 3 Stonechat, 2 Mute Swan, 2 Green Sandpiper, 1 Sparrowhawk, 7 Lapwing

Barn Owl Encounter - South to Chambers Wall via the Sea Wall 24/07/19

I headed from the south to the sea wall today. It was sunny and very warm with a south south westerly wind. A couple of Blackcap were singing away and Blackbird and Wren were also in good voice when I arrived but otherwise it seemed quite quiet. Families of Blue and Great Tit were working their way through the bushes.

My morning instantly became much better when, as I passed a bush, I saw a Barn Owl sitting, set back, in the next one. It flew as soon as it saw me but incredibly flew back a moment later and sat in the same place. Any day that involves seeing an owl is brilliant for me and to say this encounter made my day would be a major understatement. It was a truly beautiful bird and I felt so lucky that it came back and then just sat watching me and looking round before, after a while, moving off. A once in a lifetime experience.

Barn Owl

Barn Owl

Barn Owl

I carried on making my way towards the sea wall. A couple of Chiffchaff were working their way through some umbellifers, as was a Reed Warbler.

Reed Warbler

A Cuckoo flew out from a bush but disappeared from sight as quick as I saw it. I heard a bird call and had a high Bar-tailed Godwit (145) over. I could see a female Marsh Harrier quartering over the fields and a Willow Warbler was working its way through one of the bushes.

Willow Warbler

When I reached the sea wall the tide was mostly in but on the way out. A few Herring and Black-headed Gulls were bobbing about on the sea. A Great Black-backed Gull flew east. A Ringed Plover was tucked down on the beach calling away now and then.

Ringed Plover

8 Whimbrel flew east and a juvenile Mediterranean Gull was on the beach and another one flew past.They are beautifully marked birds.

Whimbrel

juvenile Mediterranean Gull

Plumpudding Island was very quiet with just Linnet, Meadow Pipits and Pied Wagtails enjoying the habitat. I headed on towards Coldharbour and I had 7 Common Tern off shore.

Common Tern

Coldharbour itself was very quiet with just 3 Black-headed Gulls and a few Linnet and Meadow Pipit. A Curlew flew east high above me and at Coldharbour there were another 4 roosting on the beach. The immature male Eider was also on the beach. A flock of 12 Common Terns flew west. A little further on 8 Turnstone were on some rock together with 1 Sanderling and 3 Common Sandpipers. 4 Redshank were at the base of the rocks.

Common Sandpipier and Turnstone

3 Little Egret flew west and I saw another 11 Mediterranean Gulls either on the shore or flying past.

Little Egret

Mediterranean Gull

I had a look, for a short way, along the bottom path. Good numbers of Common Blue butterfly were on the wing. The most I have seen so far this year. A Common Darter was tucked out of the wind as was a Common Blue Damselfly and a female Red-eyed Damselfly.

Common Darter

Common Blue Damselfly

female Red-eyed Damselfly

I headed up to Chambers Wall and had a very confiding Sedge Warbler. They are lovely little birds. A Migrant Hawker was tucked down in the reeds.

Sedge Warbler

Migrant Hawker

Migrant Hawker

Brown Hawkers and Emperor Dragonflies were hunting on the river and I also saw a single Norfolk Hawker.  A mating pair of Common Darter came some very nice views.

mating Common Darter

mating Common Darter

Good numbers of Common Darter and some Ruddy Darter were on the wing.

Ruddy Darter

I finished off an enjoyable visit with great views of a Grey Heron.

Grey Heron

Grey Heron

Birds seen this visit include: 9 Blackbird, 9 Wren, Wood Pigeons, 4 Green Woodpecker, 1 Moorhen, 2 Blackcap, 2 Chaffinch, Blue Tits, Great Tits, 83 Linnet, 64 west Swallow, 1 Barn Owl, 11 Whitethroat, 7 Goldfinch, 10 Reed Warbler, 5 Magpie, 5 Pheasant, 4 Chiffchaff, 7 Sedge Warbler, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 1 Kestrel, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Willow Warbler, 7 Reed Bunting, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 14 Pied Wagtail, 140 Starling, 105 House Sparrow, Herring Gull, Black-headed Gull, 29 Meadow Pipit, 11 Oystercatcher, 1 Swift, 1 Grey Heron, 3 Ringed Plover, Skylarks, 13 Mediterranean Gull, 24 Common Tern, 5 Little Egret, 8 Whimbrel, 31 Turnstone, 5 Curlew, 2 Sandwich Tern, 7 Common Sandpiper, 4 Redshank, 2 Coot, 1 Moorhen, 1 Sanderling, immature male Eider, Carrion Crows, 1 Dunncock, 1 Sand Martin,