A Windy Gull Watch - Reculver 09/01/19

It was a very windy day today with a strong north westerly wind and jolly chilly too, but with some nice sunny intervals. I came down to Reculver but found it really was too windy and cold to try walking along the sea wall, particularly as I felt so rough today and balance was not at its best. So I decided to go up to the towers and see if I could find a spot out of the wind to try and sea watch for a while.

A Kestrel was hanging in the wind by the towers, intent on whatever it was hunting. It is amazing how they can stay almost motionless with so little wing movement. I managed to get a couple of photos and thoroughly enjoyed watching it.

Kestrel hanging in the wind

Kestrel hovering

Once I reached the towers I found a good spot out of the wind and waited to see what did or did not fly past. The sea was very quiet and there was very little going on out there. I did manage to see three Red-throated Divers and a Great Crested Grebe but that really was about it. I had hoped to perhaps pick up a few new birds for the year but I appeared to be out of luck. There was, however, a steady stream of gulls going west so I spent some time happily trying to get some photos of them. I had a very smart Common Gull go past and also a Herring Gull whose eye just caught the light as it passed me.

Common Gull

Herring Gull

A single Brent Goose flew west and gave some nice views as it did so.

Brent Goose

A juvenile Herring Gull gave good views of both its upper wing, and a particularly good view of its underwing. It was very nice to have the gulls come so close and to see them at eye level.

Juvenile Herring Gull

Juvenile Herring Gull

The sea was quite rough but not as rough as I expected considering how strong the wind was. It was hitting the rocks but not causing massive amounts of spray. I tried to catch some spray on a photo but each time I tried it was suddenly less. Strange how that goes. Out to sea I could see it was raining and a partial rainbow appeared briefly.

Sea spray - Reculver

Rainbow

There was a good movement of Common Gulls with at least 40 moving through while I was there. I had one well marked individual go past and the photos I took in sunshine and then in the shade of the towers shadow show how much difference the light can make to appearance and colour.

Common Gull

Common Gull

Another passing Common Gull gave a spectacular view of its underwing. Unfortunately I missed a very smart Cormorant going past in full breeding plumage. I only managed to grab a shot as it disappeared from view. I had forgotten just how handsome they are in breeding plumage.

Common Gull

Cormorant - breeding plumage

A couple of Herring Gull went past giving good views of an upperwing and underwing respectively. I will need to work at getting much better at both ageing identification in gulls and gull identification full stop.

Herring Gull

Herring Gull

I had enjoyed my time at the towers, I have not done a seawatch for a very long time. It might not have produced any new birds for the year but it was good fun. I finished off with a juvenile Herring Gull and a Common Gull passing below me, not a view I usually see.

Juvenile Herring Gull

Common Gull

Birds seen this visit include: 1 Kestrel, c40 Common Gull, 120 Herring Gull, 50 Black-headed Gull, 1 Brent Goose, 3 Red-throated Diver, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 24 Mallard, 15 Mute Swan, 2 Pied Wagtail, 1 Blackbird, 15 Cormorant

A Red-breasted Merganser - Reculver 06/01/19

I had a late afternoon walk along the sea wall today, after work. It was a dull, overcast day but it was nice not to have any strong wind. I was really hoping to catch up with a Short-eared Owl but despite trying really hard I did not have any luck.

The sea appeared to be very quiet and I could only see some Herring Gulls and Black-headed Gulls resting on the water and I had a single Shelduck flying west. There was still a Common Gull on the grass by the towers.

I had 2 Little Grebes in one of the dykes on the oyster farm and tried for some photos even though the light was so bad. They are lovely little birds and full of character. There were some Mute Swans in the far fields but I could not see the Black Swan today.

Little Grebe

I had a walk up as far as the green bank. There was not any sign of owls or birds of prey. A couple of Redshank alarm called and one flew over and landed on the shore. As the tide fell a tiny speck of land was exposed and a pair of Oystercatcher had quite a squabble over it. I saw a bird flying east and grabbed some shots and was chuffed to see that I had a female Red-breasted Merganser (72).

Red-breasted Merganser

I walked back as it was getting dark. The glow from Thanet Earth looks quite spooky, giving a deep orange glow. I did try for some photos but they do not really do it justice. Still, it does make a memory shot. I also saw a pair of Mute Swan again, in the same dyke that I had seen the Little Grebe.

Thanet Earth

Mute Swans

I was pleased to have had at least a little time out, even if I had not managed to see very much, it was good to have a walk.

Birds I saw this visit included: Herring Gull, Black-headed Gull, 1 Common Gull, Blackbird, Starling, House Sparrow, 3 Redshank, 8 Mute Swan, 3 Little Grebe, 3 Oystercatcher, 15 Linnet, 1 Shelduck, 1 Red-breasted Merganser, Robin, Kestrel

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.

Some Handsome Redwings - Chambers Wall to Reculver 03/01/19

I thought I would have a walk from Chambers Wall and then head for Reculver today. It was a chilly day with a cold north westerly wind.

I hoped to add some birds for the year but certainly the walk up the road did not really produce much. There were good numbers of Redwing around today with 8 in the area around the car park. I managed to get a couple of photos. They are very handsome birds.

Redwing

Redwing

A Robin was tucked in the hedge and allowed a quick shot even though it was pretty obscured. A small flock of 7 Golden Plover flew up from a back field where 35 Herring Gull were also present.

I carried on down the track towards the railway crossing. Lots of Blackbirds were calling and flitting around, there were also several more Redwing and a good number of Fieldfare. A couple more Robins and also Blue Tits were feeding in the bushes.

Robin

The walk up to Coldharbour was very quiet , while on Coldharbour itself there was a Little Egret, 15 Mallard and 2 Redshank. The sea was very quiet indeed and throughout the walk back to Reculver I did not see any Grebes or Divers.

I was pleased to catch up with 5 Corn Buntings (62) but they were too shy for photos today. A flock of 15 Linnets were zipping around while 4 House Sparrows and a female Chaffinch were in one of the bushes. One of the male House Sparrows was peeping out at me.

House Sparrow

The pair of Stonechats were back catching insects from the mud while being mobbed by a Robin. The male was a little nearer and allowed a photo.

Stonechat

I kept my eyes open for a Short-eared Owl but did not have any luck. I did at least manage to catch up with a Grey Heron (63). 31 Mute Swan flew around in two groups over the fields at the back of the oysterfarm.

I did not see any sign of the Great Northern Diver, I really hope that it managed to recover.

Birds seen this visit include: c30 Blackbird, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Skylark, Herring Gull, Black-headed Gull, 7 Golden Plover, 3 Robin, 2 Wren, 1 Dunnock, 25 Redwing, 20 Fieldfare, Chaffinch, 2 Goldfinch, 5 Coot, 2 Reed Bunting, 5 Corn Bunting, 5 House Sparrow, 5 Redshank, 17 Mallard, 2 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 15 Linnet, 2 Stonechat, 31 Mute Swan, 220 Brent Geese, 5 Oystercatcher, 8 Turnstone, 1 Sanderling, 10 Ringed Plover, 1 Kestrel.

Worrying Diver - Reculver 02/01/19

I paid a visit to Reculver this afternoon. It was very cold with a brisk north easterly wind. As I felt pretty rough I aimed to only go as far as the green bank today if I could.

The sea was very quiet. There were Herring and Black-headed Gulls batting around together with the odd Great Black-backed Gull. I was pleased to catch up with 5 Gannets (57) east and 4 Sanderling (58) west. There did not appear to be any divers or grebes on the water.

2 Mute Swan were in one of the dykes on the oyster farm and several Redshank were dotted around on the banks of the various dykes. I kept my eyes open for a Short-eared Owl but did not have any luck.

Mute Swans

A little further on I was pleased to see a couple of Stonechat (59). I was really surprised yesterday when I did not manage to catch up with any, as usually I see them every time I come. There was a male and female and I enjoyed watching them. They appeared to be catching insects from the muddy areas left where the works machinery went up and down along the track by the sea wall. The female was somewhat shy but the male allowed some shots.

Male Stonechat

Male Stonechat

As I neared the green bank I saw a bird on the beach. I was really surprised and somewhat concerned when I realised it was a diver. I have never seen one on land before and never so close. It did not seem to be injured and was looking around frequently. At times it appeared quite bright eyed and at others looked a lot more worrying as it appeared to doze. Never having seen one on land before I was very unsure what to do for the best. Should I try and get it to a vet or leave it and hope that it was just resting up. I did not want to stress it unnecessarily. I met another bird watcher who felt it could well just be resting and was probably better left to its own devices and in the end that is what I decided to do. I really hope that it was just resting up and once the tide came back in it felt strong enough to go back in the water and feed. I thought it was a Great Northern but wasn’t 100% sure so I had a look at the books when I got home and it was indeed. I have never seen a diver that close. I just really hope that it can recover.

Great Northern Diver

Great Northern Diver

As I was frozen by this time I headed for home. On the way back I stopped for a rest and couldn’t believe it when 2 Snow Buntings flew in and started feeding almost directly in front of me. They were a very handsome male and a female. They are such gorgeous birds. I managed to get some shots of the male before they continued on down the beach towards Reculver. I did not manage to catch up with them again but felt so lucky to have seen them.

Snow Bunting

Snow Bunting

Snow Bunting

Snow Bunting

4 Linnet were feeding in one of the puddles as were a couple of Meadow Pipit. Otherwise the walk back was very quiet. I enjoyed the visit but can’t help worrying about the outcome for the Great Northern Diver.