Watching Gulls at Reculver - 17/01/19

After work today I thought I would try a brief seawatch from the towers to see if I could catch up with anything. There was a bitingly cold North Westerly wind but it was certainly welcome to see the sunshine. I was able to find a spot that sheltered me from the worst of wind and, although still cold, at least I wasn’t struggling to stand against the wind.

As it turned out there was nothing much going on out to sea at all. The only birds that were coming past were gulls, mainly Herring, working their way west along the coast, so I thought I would try for some photos of them and see if I could get better at ageing them.

The first bird past was an adult winter Herring Gull. They are certainly handsome birds. The streaking on its head has been a bit burnt out in the photo.

Adult Herring Gull

Adult Herring Gull

A passing Great Black-backed Gull allowed some photos. They are huge birds. I think that this is a third winter, from looking at the books.

Great Black-backed Gull

Great Black-backed Gull

Another adult winter Herring Gull gave some very nice views as it came past. I really like being able to see the eye so clearly as they come past. Many of the gulls come very close as they pass the towers. The head streaking was obvious on this bird.

Adult winter Herring Gull

Adult winter Herring Gull

I did not see many waders go past but this group of 4 Sanderling going west came almost close enough for a photo. I also at various points saw another 5 Sanderling, 2 Ringed Plover, 1 Grey Plover, 1 Turnstone and 1 Oystercatcher, all going west. Otherwise they seemed to be keeping their heads down. 

Sanderling

A smart, what I think is a second winter Herring Gull gave a good view as it flew past.

Second winter Herring Gull

I had another Great Black-backed Gull west and what I think is a 3rd winter Herring Gull. I am just a little puzzled as it appears to have a darker eye and less yellow in the bill than the 2nd winter above. But from the amount of grey in the wings and the lessening tail band it would certainly suggest 3rd winter. I must admit I find ageing gulls pretty difficult.

Great Black-backed Gull

? 3rd winter Herring Gull

A smart adult winter Common Gull showed its large mirrors well as it flew past while a 2nd winter Herring Gull gave a nice view of its upperwings.

Adult winter Common Gull

2nd winter Herring Gull

I had another, presumably 3rd winter Herring Gull go west but again with a dark eye and non yellow bill. It also had noticeably dark greater coverts. It is fascinating to see the different plummages but boy it is pretty muddling for ageing. Some things seem to fit with one age while others fit with another age.

? 3rd winter Herring Gull

? 3rd winter Herring Gull

A second winter and first winter Herring Gulls passed close by and were soon followed by a loudly calling Herring Gull that was seeming to object to a nearby youngster. 

Second and first winter Herring Gulls

Loudly calling

I had a couple more 1st winter Herring Gull. It is surprising just how much colour and even size change in the various light.

1st winter Herring Gull

1st winter Herring Gull

These were followed by another 2nd winter, again showing a fair amount of variation.

2nd winter Herring Gull

2nd winter Herring Gull FZ330, f/4, 1/1300, ISO 500, A, ExS

A very smart adult Herring Gull came very close as it went by. I decided o take a shot looking east from the towers. The sea doesn’t appear that rough in the photo but I certainly would not liked to have been out on it.

Adult winter Herring Gull

Looking east to Minnis Bay

A couple of very attractive 1st winter Black-headed Gulls gave some good views as they flew west. They are lovely little birds.

1st winter Black-headed Gull

1st winter Black-headed Gull

I finished off with what I think are both 3rd winter Herring Gulls.

3rd winter Herring Gull

3rd winter Herring Gull

It had been an enjoyable hour just watching the various gulls passing. I am certainly very rusty on gull identification and ageing but hopefully, with practise, I will get better. I  had really hoped to catch up with a Kittiwake today but did not manage to see one or any passing divers or grebes. I did not manage any duck or geese either. I guess they were all keeping their  heads down in the wind. As I reached the car park I could see a gull bobbing about on the waves and it turned out to be a Black-headed. I must admit I had really hoped for Little. It looked so small and vulnerable against some pretty sizeable waves.

Black-headed Gull

Birds seen this visit include:  Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Black-headed Gull, Common Gull, 1 Turnstone, 8 Sanderling, 2 Ringed Plover, 1 Grey Plover, 1 Oystercatcher, 4 Redshank, 1 Blackbird, 25 Starling, 5 House Sparrow.

A Definite Sign of Spring - Marshside 16/01/19

There was a strong south westerly wind today and it was very overcast. As walking was a little on the dodgy side I thought I would try a short visit to Marshside and see what I could see.

We had our first stop near Little Grey’s and I had a short walk round. It seemed pretty quiet overall. I did manage to pick up all of the usual little birds such as Robin, Wren, Tits, Dunnock, Blackbird etc but apart from that there was not much around. It was nice to see some catkins as they are a sure sign spring is coming. Two Common Buzzard were hanging in the wind over the far fields.

Catkins 

I had a short walk alongside one of the dykes in the hopes of seeing a Snipe but did not have any success. There were a couple of Meadow Pipit in the rough field and a Redwing flew out of one of the bushes

At Reynolds lane there was a little more activity with 15 House Sparrows, 25 Goldfinch, and lots of Blackbirds. A Green Woodpecker shot off from where it was sitting on a fence in the horse field but it was too quick to enable me to take a photo. Some Blue and Great Tits were enjoying a feeder that was in one of the gardens. A Pied Wagtail called.

I carried on down the main road and saw a Blackbird that had been enjoying some berries. It was very obscured by branches but I managed to get a nice view through a gap. A Robin also allowed a quick shot through a gap in the hedge. I was hoping to hear a Cetti’s calling but so far this year have still not managed to catch up with one.

Blackbird

Robin

A little further on a Bullfinch (74) was calling and then gave a brief view as it flew off. I would really have liked a photo but felt lucky to have seen it as it is a new bird for the year. A Song Thrush shot across and a Mistle Thrush was up on the telegraph wires. A Pheasant called but I did not have any luck with catching up with any partridge.

There were a large number of Fieldfare in the apple orchard, approximately 350 and also 60 Redwing. A couple of Chiffchaff were calling.

The weather had been steadily deteriorating and as it started with some pretty persistent rain I decided to head for home. It had been nice to be out though.

Birds seen this visit include: Blackbird, Wren, Robin, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Dunnock, Common Buzzard, Cormorant, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, 2 Meadow Pipit, 1 Redwing, House Sparrow, Goldfinch, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Pied Wagtail, Magpie, 2 Mute Swan, 1 Collared Dove, Mallard, Song Thrush, 2 Mistle Thrush, 7 Moorhen, 2 Chiffchaff

Eye to Eye Encounter with a Redshank - Shuart to Reculver 11/01/19

As I had a little more time today, and it would be the last chance to bird watch until next week, I decided to give it a go walking from Shuart to Reculver. Once again there was a north westerly wind and it was overcast, quite murky and misty and pretty cool.

The visit started well with a new bird for the year as I finally managed to catch up with a Greenfinch (73), seeing it high in one of the trees from the car park. All the usual little jobs were present but I did not see or hear any Chiffchaff.

The walk through was surprisingly quiet. Lots and lots of Blackbirds and the odd Song Thrush but not much else. I really hoped for a Waxwing but no such luck. It was an equally quiet walk past the stables. I did see a distant Hare that was disturbed by a train going past. I haven’t seen one of them for a long time in any of the areas I watch.

I checked out the sea once I reached the sea wall but all was very quiet there as well and apart from the odd gull there did not appear to be anything on the move. There was a few Redshank feeding along the shoreline and a single Grey Plover.

Redshank

Grey Plover

As I headed towards Plumpudding Island I had a pair of Stonechats who treated me to some nice views. It does not matter how many times I see them I think that they are lovely little birds and so full of character.

Male Stonechat

Male Stonechat

Stonechat

The Environmental agency were working on the shingle with large lorries moving shingle from one stretch to another. The waders seemed surprisingly unconcerned by the large vehicles moving around. There was a digger filling the trucks before they headed down the beach. It has meant that a lot of the good habitat at the edges of the shore have all been churned up. There were several Oystercatcher and a single Curlew watched as the trucks went past.

Beach defences

Curlew

Plumpudding Island only had a couple of Redshank on it and 12 Linnet flew up. As it was so quiet I walked on towards Coldharbour. There was a large group of about 400 Brent Geese in one of the fields, once again with a few Herring Gull interspersed with them. I thought from a distance that there were some different geese mixed in but it was just the effect of the light and as I got nearer I could see I was mistaken. Ah well, you can but hope. Coldharbour was very quiet with only 3 Mallard and a lump of mud that looked very like a sleeping Little Grebe but wasn’t. A nice surprise was a smart male Marsh Harrier hunting near the railway embankment. It was really too far for a photo but I gave it a go anyway and at least it makes a good memory shot.

Male Marsh Harrier

As I carried on down the sea wall I looked back and saw the group of Brent Geese in the air. I am not sure what put them up. I couldn’t see a raptor. It was amazing watching them wheeling round and the shapes they made as they turned within the flock.

Brent Geese

Brent Geese

I sat and had a rest on the sea wall and couldn’t believe my luck when a couple of Snow Buntings landed nearby, the female disappeared from view but the male stayed in the open. I could see a large lorry bearing down but I managed to grab some shots of the male before the lorry passed me and headed towards them. They did not seem too bothered until it was surprisingly close and then they flew off strongly in the opposite direction. They are such gorgeous birds and I felt really lucky to have seen them.

Male Snow Bunting

Male Snow Bunting

Male Snow Bunting

Male Snow Bunting in flight

As I headed on down towards Reculver I could see rain moving in, in the distance, but luckily apart from a few drops reaching me it swept along the embankment rather than the sea wall. There was part of a rainbow briefly out to sea but it disappeared as quickly as it appeared. 25 Mallard were on the sea with small groups flying around now and then, one of which allowed a photo. A little further on 4 Shelduck were also on the sea.

Mallards in flight

Shelduck out to sea

Stonechats clearly liked the stirred up shingle as I saw several feeding amongst the deep tyre tracks. This one had a one wing up, one wing down approach. A single Curlew flew east out to sea.

Stonechat

Curlew in flight

Further along a Redshank was standing on one of the ridges made by the tyre tracks and it was easily the closest I have seen one. Surprisingly it allowed me to take some photos without flying off alarm calling, which is what normally happens as soon as they see you. It called now and again but otherwise seemed reasonably unconcerned.

Redshank calling

Redshank

Redshank

Redshank

I carried on towards Reculver and saw a single Great Crested Grebe offshore while a Turnstone was resting on one of the ridges left by the lorries.

Great Crested Grebe

Turnstone

A Stonechat paused on one of the tyre tracks and showed its rump nicely. Out to sea I could see a large flock of birds flying west. It was hard to know for sure what they were through binoculars but they appeared to be too large for ducks. I took some photos and I think that they are Brent Geese. There was easily 150 with a large group bunched into rough V’s at the front of the flock and a long single line weaving behind.

Stonechat

Brent Geese

As I passed the oyster farm I could not manage to see any sign of any Short-eared Owls but I was treated to a good view of two Mute Swan flying in. A Black-headed Gull was bobbing around on the sea.

Mute Swans in flight

Black-headed Gull on the sea

As I neared Reculver I could not see any sign of a Little Owl, Kingfisher or Grey Partridge, all of which I had hoped to catch up with today. Ah well. It does at least give more to look forward to seeing for the new year. A male Blackbird was unconcerned as I passed nearby on my up to the towers. I had a last check out to sea but could not manage to pick up anything new. I was pleased that I had achieved the walk but I was definitely ready to be heading for home.

Blackbird

Birds seen this visit include: 1 Greenfinch, Blue Tits, Great Tits, Chaffinch, Blackbird, Long-tailed Tit, 5 Goldfinch, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Ring-necked Parakeet, Dunnock, Robin, Wren, Redwing, Fieldfare, 3 Pheasant, Stock Dove, 12 Magpie, 35 Oystercatcher, 9 Redshank, 5 Turnstone, 21 Ringed Plover, 2 Curlew, 7 Stonechat, Great Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Common Gull, Black-headed Gull, Dunlin, 6 Grey Plover, 1 male Marsh Harrier, 650 Brent Geese, 12 Linnet, 3 Mallard, 2 Snow Bunting, 1 Coot, 4 Shelduck, Carrion Crow, Cormorant, 2 Meadow Pipit, 2 Reed Bunting, 2 Mute Swan.

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