Lapland Buntings, Black-throated Diver And An Unwelcome Swan - Reculver to Coldharbour 08/01/20

When I arrived on an overcast early morning at Reculver the tide was mostly in and there was a light westerly wind. I had a look out to sea but it appeared to be very quiet apart from a few Brent Geese and Herring and Black-headed Gulls. House Sparrows were chattering away as I came past the towers but fell silent as a Kestrel hove into view and began to hover. A male Marsh Harrier was hunting over the fields and as I passed the pumping station it was nice to catch up with the Kingfisher (81) in his usual spot.

As I headed along the sea wall I came across 45 roosting Ringed Plover, with 21 Dunlin (82) and 4 Turnstone. A Redshank was preening on the oyster farm near to a couple of Snipe (83). A couple of Shelduck flew over the oyster farm and a singing Corn Bunting attracted the ire of a Reed Bunting who flew at it repeatedly until it moved. A single Grey Plover was on shore and its plumage showed up beautifully in the dull light.

Grey Plover

Brent geese were flying past in various sized flocks on their way to a field further along. A single Great Crested Grebe was out to sea and a passing Great Black-backed Gull ousted a Cormorant off one of the marker poles so that it could take its place. The sun broke though briefly throwing the towers into sharp relief.

Reculver

As I neared Coldharbour I could see another 9 Shelduck offshore and 15 Mallard. Out to sea 2 adult Gannet (84) were fishing and an unlucky Cormorant had its fish, it had just caught, immediately stolen, as it surfaced, by a nearby Great Black-backed Gull that swooped in and took it straight out of the Cormorants bill. It appeared to take the Cormorant completely by surprise. A female House Sparrow had more luck with a large feather that she had found and despite several attempts to relieve her of it she managed to fly off with it still safely in her bill.

On Coldharbour an immature Mute Swan was having a very rough time from the male of a pair of adults, also on Coldharbour. The male would gradually work his way towards the youngster, his posture becoming more threatening the closer he got, before suddenly exploding into action and giving chase.

Mute Swans

Mute Swans

Mute Swans

The youngster flew over to the other half of Coldharbour and for a short while peace reigned as both the adults and the youngster started to preen. It was a joy to watch as the youngster had a very vigorous wash and brush up.

immature Mute Swan

immature Mute Swan

immature Mute Swan

After this followed a lot of preening and then the youngster reared up and with several large wing flaps to ensure its feathers were all where they should be, it gave itself a shake before settling down again. It was a beautiful sight to behold and lovely to be able to freeze the action with the camera and see the sheer beauty of its wings.

immature Mute Swan

immature Mute Swan

immature Mute Swan

immature Mute Swan

At this point the peace was shattered by an RAF helicopter, I think a Boeing Chinook, flying very low just to the side of the sea wall. It sent the youngster up in a panic and it settled out to sea and c475 Brent Geese flew up from the field, equally panicked, and after wheeling around they landed en-mass on the sea. It took them nearly 20 minutes before they felt relaxed enough to move back to the field.

Boeing Chinook

Boeing Chinook

5 Redshank who had been roosting on Coldharbour returned and settled back on the bank although remained alert.

Redshank

On my way back to Reculver while sitting on the sea wall I heard a Lapland Bunting (85) calling and one flew high above me before circling and returning to the field opposite. At the same time 3 birds flew across and landed in the scrubby area on the shore side of the wall. I was extremely chuffed to find 3 beautiful Lapland Buntings when I got my binoculars on them. Now that definitely made my day. I tried for some photos, even though they were a fair distance away, and then was lucky as they came a bit closer before unfortunately being flushed by a dog walker. What lovely birds.

Lapland Bunting

Lapland Buntings

a well camouflaged Lapland Bunting

Lapland Bunting

Lapland Bunting

Well chuffed I headed back for Reculver. The Brent Geese had remained very nervous and took off in a flurry of wings several times, wheeling round and round before returning once again to the field.

Brent Geese

12 Wigeon flew west out to sea as I neared the green bank and while sitting looking out to sea I could see a diver distantly off shore and was thrilled when I realised I was looking at a Black-throated Diver (86). There has been a Black-throated Diver seen fairly regularly since New Year's Day but this was the first time I had managed to catch up with it. It was drifting east and at one point enabled comparison with a Red-throated Diver that settled on the sea relatively near to it. This really was turning into a very good visit.

I walked for a short distance along the green bank and could see a smart Yellowhammer that was showing the colour of its rump well and ended up seeing 9 Yellowhammer altogether. A little further on a Chaffinch was also showing the colour of its rump as it sat in a tree. I counted 38 Reed Bunting and the Corn Bunting numbers on the oyster farm brought me to over 100 for the visit, having had 65 earlier. I could see 3 Tree Sparrows with one perching helpfully, if a little distantly, for a photo.

Yellowhammer

Chaffinch

Tree Sparrow

I made my way back to the sea wall and had a Dunnock flick up onto the sea wall, allowing a beautifully close view, before moving to vegetation on the shore.

Dunnock

I finished a cracking visit with 2 Short-eared Owls (87) over the oyster farm. Watching owls is definitely my favourite way to finish a visit. I had to take the photos on a very high ISO as the light was fading fast but I was very pleased to be able to take any photos at all.

Short-eared Owls

Short-eared Owl

Short-eared Owl

Short-eared Owl

Birds seen this visit included: 1 Kestrel, House Sparrows, Starlings, Wood Pigeons, Black-headed Gulls, Herring Gulls, c475 Brent Geese, 14 Meadow Pipit, 5 Pied Wagtail, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Kingfisher, 5 Magpie, 7 Mute Swan, Cormorant, 7 Redshank, 25 Ringed Plover, 21 Dunlin, 6 Turnstone, 2 Grey Plover, 52 Reed Bunting, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 4 Corn Bunting, 5 Great Black-backed Gull, 1 Song Thrush, 11 Shelduck, 2 Snipe, 3 Wren, 2 Robin, 1 Stonechat, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 15 Oystercatcher, 102 Corn Bunting, 15 Mallard, 3 Gannet, 1 Little Egret, 4 Lapland Bunting, 8 Chaffinch, 12 Wigeon, 1 Black-throated Diver, 9 Yellowhammer, 2 Tree Sparrow, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Purple Sandpiper, 2 Dunnock, 2 Short-eared Owl,

A Peregrine Causing Havoc - Chambers Wall to Reculver 02/01/20

I headed to Chambers Wall this afternoon and was greeted by 8 Long-tailed Tits (78) working their way through the hedgerow. It was very nice to catch up with them today as I missed out on them for the New Years Day bird count, for the 2nd year running. I enjoyed watching them as they searched this way and that for insects.

Long-tailed Tit

Mute swans had collected in one of the fields with 20 present. 5 Blackbirds were active and 7 Magpies were together in a field. The rain that had been threatening started but luckily never really amounted to more than drizzle. It was a very quiet walk through up to the railway crossing. A male Sparrowhawk caused consternation amongst some Skylark but they managed to evade it. 15 Corn Buntings were calling as I crossed the railway line.

On the walk down to Coldharbour the 15 Corn Bunting I had seen joined with others and 65 were moving from the bushes to one of the fields together with a Yellowhammer. A Goldcrest was in with a mixed flock of Blue and Great Tits. Coldharbour was quiet with just a single Redshank, 1 Little Egret and a few Black-headed Gulls. A Turnstone, that had been flushed from the shore by a Peregrine (79), had a very lucky escape as, despite being hotly pursued, it managed to evade it at the last moment. The Peregrine headed off to try its luck elsewhere.

Peregrine

It is amazing the difference a day can make. It was much quieter out to sea with very few duck apart from 4 Shelduck and a couple of Mallard. I turned for Reculver and had most of the usual waders on the walk back. The same Peregrine I had just been watching then caused utter havoc amongst the Brent Geese who, having settled in the field, sounded multiple alarm calls before the whole flock vacated the field in a flurry of panicked wing beats and crossing the sea wall landed on the sea. They remained very nervous for several minutes before gradually they appeared to settle more and a little while later flocks began to return to the field. Even then they flew up several times in panic before finally setttling. It is an impressive sight and also sound as c350 geese take to the air. I never managed to get all the birds in the shot at once, as the Peregrine had made them very nervous, and not all of them were in the air a the same time but they were still a spectacular sight.

Brent Geese

Brent Geese

Brent Geese

Brent Geese

Out to sea 3 Wigeon and 4 Teal flew east. I could see a Lapwing that was resting up, a good way ahead of me, on the rocks but it was flushed by a dog walker before I got anywhere near it.

Lapwing

Out to sea a couple of Mute Swan came into land, having flown over from the oyster farm, and pattered across the water as they came into land.

Mute Swan

As I neared Reculver a Purple Sandpiper and a Redshank shared a rock that was steadily being inundated by the incoming tide.

Purple Sandpiper and Redshank

The Shag (80) was in its usual spot as I looked out from the towers. Once the rock it was sitting on was inundated by the sea it took to the water and started to fish. It has been a real pleasure to be able to watch a bird I have never seen as close before this one turned up. I will miss it when it moves on as it always makes a great finish to a visit.

Shag

Shag

While watching the Shag a Kestrel came and hovered nearby and, though the light was very poor by this time, I tried for some photos. Hopefully one of these days the same thing will happen in really good light and I might be able to manage better photos. However, for me, these make good memory shots so I feel pretty lucky to have them.

Kestrel

Kestrel

Kestrel

It made great end to the visit. It mastery and control in flight was a joy to behold. I might see a Kestrel hunting most times I come out but I never tire of the sheer beauty of seeing one close up and watching its skill as it hunts.


Birds seen this visit included: 8 Long-tailed Tit, 25 Mute Swan, 2 Chaffinch, 1 Wren, 9 Blackbird, 17 Magpie, 1 Sparrowhawk, 8 Skylark, Black-headed Gulls, Herring Gulls, 1 Common Buzzard, 5 Blue Tits, 4 Great Tits, 1 Moorhen, 2 Coot, 9 Redshank, 1 Little Egret, 16 Turnstone, 30 Ringed Plover, 4 Shelduck, 2 Mallard, 13 Oystercatcher, 2 Curlew, 2 Great Black-backed Gull, 3 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Pied Wagtail, 30 Stock Dove, c350 Brent Geese, 3 Wigeon, 4 Teal, 1 Lapwing, 2 Kestrel, 1 Purple Sandpiper,

New Year's Day Bird Count - Shuart to Reculver 01/01/20

There is something special about a New Year's Day bird count when every bird seen is brand spanking new for the year and every bird, however common, brings a feeling of gratitude, joy and appreciation. So with a sense of anticipation I headed to Shuart, arriving just as light was beginning to show in the sky and paused along the approach road a few times to listen, managing to pick up Blackbird (1), Song Thrush (2), Chaffinch (3) and a calling Little Owl (4), Dunnock (5) and Robin (6). I stopped at the watch point in the hopes of spotting a Barn Owl. Sunrise was stunning as the few clouds gradually became aflame with colour and the clear sky boded well for a fine start to the day. Herring Gulls (7) were coming over in small flocks and a Red-legged Partridge (8) called several times. A Pheasant (9) felt brave enough to be a fair way out in the field. Rooks (10) were silhouetted against the sky as they lifted off from the far trees and a flock of 15 Lapwing (11) also showed well against the lightening sky. The call of a Green Woodpecker (12) carried well in the early morning air. Carrion Crows (13) and a passing Jackdaw (14) called as they went over, as did a passing Pied Wagtail (15). Wood Pigeons (16) were flushed in panic from the trees by the arrival of a Sparrowhawk (17) while in the distance a Common Buzzard (18) lifted lazily into the air. I had a last scan round for a Barn Owl without success and had to content myself with 2 Mute Swan (19).

Sunrise

On arriving in the car park I was greeted by a Great Spotted Woodpecker calling (20) and a Chiffchaff (21) paused briefly, giving a nice view, before moving off. A Wren (22) scolded me as it was disturbed from its perch by my arrival. Several Blue Tits (23) and Great Tits (24) were busily working through the bushes and a Mallard (25) called from beyond the trees. The Great Spotted Woodpecker started drumming as I made my way up to the bridleway and a Magpie (26) called harshly as I reached the top. I caught sight of a little bird in the hedgerow and was chuffed when I saw that it was a beautiful Firecrest (27). Light levels were still poor but I tried for a photo anyway and it makes a nice memory shot if nothing else.

Firecrest

As I made my way back down and then along to the main track it was getting very overcast and a little misty and there was next to no wind. A Goldcrest (28) was a welcome sight and further along 4 Moorhen (29) were down one of the dykes and a Jay (30) called as it moved through the trees. I was happily taking a photo of an obliging Great Tit when alarm calls rang out and I looked up to see a Kestrel (31) perched above.

Great Tit

Kestrel

I suddenly heard a Water Rail (32) call and then a second replied and they appeared to be calling in competition with each other. The walk towards the railway crossing proved to be very quiet on the whole. A Golden Plover (33) called as it flew over as I came up onto the embankment. As I neared the stables 3 Meadow Pipit (34) called and landed in one of the paddocks and I could hear Brent Geese (35) calling from the other side of the sea wall. I was pleased to catch up with 2 Redwing (36) and at least 15 Corn Bunting (37) were calling away from the bushes. 2 Goldfinch (38) flew up and House Sparrows (39) and Starlings (40) were calling noisily away. As I came up to the sea wall a Stonechat (41) checked me out warily before going back to catching insects.

Stonechat

The tide was well out upon reaching the sea wall. 4 Oystercatchers (42) were strung out along the shore line together with large numbers of Herring Gulls and smaller numbers of Black-headed Gulls (43). 5 Redshank (44) and 2 Turnstone (45) were busily feeding away and 3 Grey Heron (46) were standing in shallow water and almost perfectly spaced with close to the same distance between them. A single Curlew (47) was intent on feeding and 3 Great Black-backed Gulls (48) were resting up.

Grey Heron

The air was alive with the calls of the many Brent Geese that were in the shallows as I headed toward Plumpudding. A single Grey Plover (49) was on the tide line with another a little further along. 3 Ringed Plover (50) flew past and I could see a Great Crested Grebe was out to sea (51). There were 2 Common Gulls (52) amongst the Black-headed Gulls on the shore. Plumpudding Island was very quiet and as I carried on towards Coldharbour I had 5 male Pochard (53) fly east which was a very welcome addition. I could not manage to get a decent photo but it is enough for a memory shot. Several Cormorant (54) were off shore.

male Pochard

As I approached Coldharbour I could hear a Cetti's Warbler (55) calling and a Chiffchaff was working its way through the bushes. Coldharbour was quiet with just 1 Redshank and several Black-headed Gulls. The water was so calm that a Black-headed Gull, showing the first signs of its dark hood, threw a perfect reflection. Behind me I caught sight of a male Marsh Harrier (56) as it hunted over the reed bed.

Black-headed Gull

Marsh Harrier

4 Coot (57) were on the river and looking out to sea there were good numbers of duck off shore. 16 Shelduck (58) were drifting past and 44 Mallard were near the exposed mussel bed with a couple of Wigeon (59) tucked in with them. 2 Sanderling (60) flew past and a Little Egret (61) was busily probing in the shallow water. While I had a sit on the sea wall another couple of Shelduck flew east.

Shelduck

Shelduck

I carried on towards Reculver and 38 Stock Doves (62) flew up from one of the fields before settling down again. Out to sea, 2 Gadwall (63) flew west before landing near some Mallard. A Curlew gave a great view as it came into land.

Gadwall

Curlew

14 distant Shoveler (64) were mixed in with some Wigeon and obligingly, at one point, they flew and coming a little closer allowed the opportunity to try for a photo. It really was still too far for the camera but it was worth giving a try. 8 Teal (65) were mixed in with the Wigeon.

Shoveler

I carried on to the green bank and had a Lesser Black-backed Gull (66) in amongst Herring and Great Black-backed Gulls. I paused to enjoy the sight and sounds of c450 Brent Geese that were moving from the sea to one of the fields as the tide came in.

Brent Geese

I had a short walk up the green bank and as I started out 12 White-fronted Geese (67) flew over coming in off the sea. They looked as if they might come down with the Brent Geese as they rapidly lost height but then seemed to think better of it and once again gained height before circling and then heading south west in a long line.

White-fronted Geese

White-fronted Geese

White-fronted Geese

White-fronted Geese

I was pleased to catch up with a couple of Tree Sparrows (68) and 3 Yellowhammer (69) were a welcome addition with a male showing beautifully. They are very handsome birds and he made a lovely splash of colour on an increasingly overcast day. 28 Reed Buntings (70) were busy amongst the seed heads with another 15 further along. 3 Skylarks (71) called as they flew up from the field and 8 Linnet (72) flew over. As I headed back to the sea wall I could see a Little Grebe (73) down the dyke giving a great impersonation of a fluff ball.

Yellowhammer

I carried on towards Reculver and was pleased when I saw 3 Red-throated Divers (74) flying east. A Purple Sandpiper (75) flew past with 38 Ringed Plover. The Ringed Plover settled on the shore but the Purple Sandpiper continued to the rocks and had barely settled before it was disturbed by a dog and flew on towards Reculver.

Purple Sandpiper and Ringed Plover

Purple Sandpiper and Ringed Plover

On reaching Reculver I had a look out over the old caravan sight and could see 6 Feral Pigeons (76) and 1 Collared Dove (77). I decided to try my luck along the path at the back of the oyster farm as I hoped I might be able to add Short-eared Owl, Kingfisher and Snipe if I was lucky. As it turned out I did not manage to see any of them but it was worth a try. It did mean though that I missed out on the chance to see if the Shag that I had seen recently on the rocks near the towers was still there as it was dark by the time I finally made it back.

I finished the day with a total of 77 birds seen for the New Year's bird count. It had been an enjoyable day and it made a good start for 2020.

Birds seen this visit included: 33 Blackbird, 5 Song Thrush, 24 Chaffinch, 1 Little Owl, 7 Robin, 4 Dunnock, Herring Gulls, 11 Red-legged Partridge, 3 Pheasant, Rooks, 17 Lapwing, 2 Green Woodpecker, Carrion Crows, Jackdaws, 2 Pied Wagtail, 1 Sparrowhawk, Wood Pigeon, 2 Common Buzzard, 10 Mute Swan, Great Spotted Woodpecker, 5 Chiffchaff, 5 Wren, Great Tits, Blue Tits, 4 Mallard, 6 Magpie, 1 Firecrest, 3 Goldcrest, 4 Moorhen, 1 Jay, 2 Kestrel, 2 Water Rail, 1 Golden Plover, 12 Meadow Pipit, Brent Geese, 2 Redwing, 67 Corn Bunting, 5 Goldfinch, House Sparrows, Starlings, 3 Stonechat, 25 Oystercatcher, Black-headed Gulls, 23 Redshank, 6 Turnstone, 3 Grey Heron, 2 Curlew, 7 Great Black-backed Gull, 4 Grey Plover, 52 Ringed Plover, 6 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Common Gull, 5 Pochard, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Marsh Harrier, 4 Coot, 19 Shelduck, 47 Wigeon, 2 Sanderling, 1 Little Egret, 38 Stock Dove, 2 Gadwell, 14 Shoveller, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 8 Teal, 12 White-fronted Geese, 2 Tree Sparrows, 3 Yellowhammer, 43 Reed Bunting, 3 Skylark, 8 Linnet, 3 Red-throated Diver, 3 Skylark, 1 Purple Sandpiper, 6 Feral Pigeon, 1 Collared Dove