Dungeness

Just a quick entry about today's trip to Dungeness.   After a few grey dull days, it was great to be out in some warm autumn sunshine.   Dungeness, as always, did not disappoint.   We concentrated on the RSPB reserve in the morning, where we saw many ducks including, tufted, mallard, teal, pochard, wigeon and pintail.   A water rail showed fleetingly and was confused with moorhen by a couple of other birders in the hide - until we put them straight!

Cormorants and greylag geese, great crested and little grebe, herring gull, great black-backed gull and black-headed gull shared one of the larger islands, and lapwings took over most of the smaller islands, with several dunlin and golden plover.   Beyond the Scott hide a small group were looking for a Pallas' warbler which had been seen in the last few days.   We caught up with blue and great tit, robin, dunnock, wren and chaffinch.

At Denge Marsh hide a kingfisher flew past as we arrived, for our lunch.   We watched little egret, great white egret more lapings and gulls, and a glossy ibis on the pool.   A marsh harrier was hunting over the reeds and crows squabbled over tenancy of the smaller islands.   A few dunlin were feeding in a large flock of lapwing, taking protection from the larger birds.

We walked back to the car park, giving the Pallas' warbler one last chance to see us, unfortunately the bird had other ideas, but a short-eared owl gave us great views both from the track and also flew past us as we drove off to the Hanson hide at the ARC pit reserve.   Here we added smew and goldeneye to our day's list.   Along the road we scanned for a long-tailed duck which had been reported.    I spotted a small diving duck at the back of the pool by the reeds, and when we had the telescope on it, confirmed the long-tailed.

On the way back we took a circuitous route via Lydd to see if any swans were on the fields, but we were disappointed on this occasion.

Flatford Mill

After our Cambridge travels we decided to come back to Kent via Flatford Mill.   Although foggy on the way there, it was lifting by the time we arrived at the Mill.   The light mist added an ethereal quality to the scenes.

Flatford Mill Pond and Willy Lott's House

On the corner of the building a chain had worn deep marks in the brickwork.   A large flock of ducks, comprising mallard, farmyard and hybrids were begging for bread and as a couple of adult mute swans fed a youngster came along to share in the feast and got a hefty peck from the adult male.

In the trees around Willy Lott's House I heard blue tit, great tit, blackbird, wren and chaffinch.   Crows were calling from the nearby fields.

Tea was taken at the cafe, I bought a couple of Christmas presents in the National Trust shop and then we moved on to a nearby pub for lunch.

Cambridge

Here for the weekend, not much opportunity for nature watching, although mallard, black-headed gull,canada geese, magpie, blue tit all found alongside the Cam whilst a keen young man punted us along!

Oare

Those of you who know my friend Malcolm, will understand today's dilemma.   There were two women out on the loose, Irene and myself being the only two remaining members of our Wednesday walkers - but we managed our identifications without assistance.

We decided on Oare as it always produces a good number of waders and there is always the chance of a harrier or other bird of prey.   Although we arrived at the lowest of tides, it did not disappoint.

The old jetty

We started out walking west along the seawall towards the old jetty.   On the mud there were over 100 redshank, at least 200 dunlin, a few curlew and several grey plover.   On the fields behind the sea wall crows fed around the feed of the konick ponies.   A few mallard and teal were enjoying the peace and quiet of a small pool in the field.   At the pond behind the jetty there were reed bunting, robin, chaffinch, dunnock and wren.   Herons stood stoically in the reeds waiting for a tasty morsel to pass within reach.

Grey Plover

On the way back to the car park we also saw oystercatcher, meadow pipit and shelduck.   After collecting our lunch we moved off towards the hide at the mouth of the creek.   There were more redshank, curlew and a huge number of avocet on the mud at the waters edge, a cetti's warbler called from a nearby bush.   Soon after we arrived at the hide all the avocets flew up - something had disturbed them.   As we watched, a short-eared owl appeared, it was mobbed by the avocet until it moved away from them, it came towards us gliding along on those strong wings making no sound.   It flew past the hide and onto the reserve.   The avocets started to settle back down, some in front of the hide and the rest joining others on the far side of the creek.  

Waders disturbed by Short-eared Owl

After taking our lunch, we were ready to move on along the side of the creek.   Within seconds we spotted the owl again, quartering over the long grass inside the seawall.   As it moved around the reserve it's presence was announced by the disturbance caused to the dunlin, black-tailed godwit and lapwing.    We stood on the seawall for about 10 minutes watching the owl, at one stage it sat on the ground in the long grass, as it turned the white edged face with huge eyes presented an eerie sight.  
Eventually, it moved over the seawall and disappeared from view.

Avocets galore

As we continued along the path a female marsh harrier rose from the reeds where we had seen it land earlier.   In the southerly corner of the pool godwit, teal, lapwing, mallard, and starling were huddled in the sunshine.   We had been bemoaning the lack of beareded tit and within minutes we heard the distinctive 'ping' and on turning around there were at least six feeding on the seedheads of the reeds.   We watched for a while as at least two striking males and their harems moved along the line at the edge of the field.   Mixed in with a flock of lapwing were some ruff.

Pintail and lapwing

A greenfinch heralded our arrival at the final hide from where we saw another female marsh harrier with far more cream on its head and shoulders.   From the hide we could see wigeon, moorhen, coot, little egret, little grebe, grey heron, ringed plover, more avocet, and at least six pintail.

Pheasant and blackbird were added to our day's tally before we left for home.

SEO on Elmley

After a few grey dank days it was great to get out in the gentle sunshine of Elmley today.   Along the entrance track it was obvious that the area was extremely dry, with rills and pools completely empty.   In view of that we were lucky to see a few birds on the way to the RSPB reserve proper.   Marsh harrier, kestrel, curlew, starling and lapwing were viewable from the car.   Once we arrived at the car park, a quick view over the wall added mallard, teal, pochard, wigeon and magpie.    After a short interlude where Sally managed to trap her fingers in the car door, we were off.

Elmley in the Sunshine

Near the RSPB office linnet, goldfinch, greenfinch and house sparrow fed in the orchard.  As we walked the path towards the hides reed bunting were busy feeding in the reeds, a grey heron stood stoically by the side of a nearby pool.   In the distance large numbers of canada geese, greylag and golden plover swooped in from the river as the tide rose.   A couple of pheasant strutted between the reeds, mute swan flew to one of the remaining pools, and meadow pipits fed along the edge of the same pool.   A red admiral butterfly was a pleasant surprise.

In front of the first hide the pool has completely dried up, partly to dry out an algae problem, but the lack of rain has meant that the pool has stayed dry longer than anticipated.   A buzzard was spotted high over a distant barn later reappearing on a fence post.   From the Counterwall hide (where there was more water) teal and mallard were seen.

Short-eared Owl

A second red admiral greeted us as we moved back towards the river to continue towards the next hide.   A stoat ran along the side of a nearby dyke, and a group of hares washed in the sunshine.   Just as we approached the path running across the fields a short-eared owl was spotted on the ground.   As we got our telescopes ready the bird flew and disappeared behind the reeds beyond the hide.   We continued to the hide, where the owl was spotted once more, great views were had by all 14 of the group.   Cormorant, little egret, ringed plover and green sandpiper were joined by great black-backed gull, black-headed gull, curlew and more golden plover were present.

Although swale hide is closed we carried on to the area, using the hide as cover as we got to the sea wall.   Although there were huge flocks a long way off we did managed to identify avocet, great crested grebe, black-tailed godwit, redshank, turnstone, pintail, brent geese and wigeon.   A common seal also watched us from a safe distance.

The return to the car was uneventful. 

Slash & Burn ~ my sort of gardening!

Today was spent on a "slash & burn" project at my local Plantlife reserve where an area of scrub needed to be cleared to create an area suitable for orchids.

Lopping back

Three hours went quickly as we used loppers and saws to clear the area.   A large bonfire soon dealt with the cuttings and although tired we all left happy with our work.

Almost there

Thanks to Sally for the photos.

Essex bound

From Stanford to Cliffe

This week's outing took us through the Dartford tunnel to Essex. We had planned to visit either Canvey Island or Two Tree Hill, but finally decided on the marshes just outside Stanford-le-Hope. Our welcome to Stanford was a bullet hole or two through the reserve sign, but a couple of locals gave us helpful advice on the best way to walk.  They also explained that enroachment had been allowed which had resulted in a new seawall route. Armed with sound advice, we set off.

Along the flooded river side were large flocks of shelduck, teal, and black-headed gulls.   In the shrubby area alongside the path, fieldfare took advantage of the berries, a blackbird gave an alarm call, robin and chaffinch were also calling.   On the inside of the old sea wall redshank, curlew, grey plover and a turnstone sheltered.   Looking across the river we could see the familiar sights of Cliffe with the Black Barn and the Radar showing well.

On our return to the car, we spotted a group of little grebe on a pond.   A kestrel hovered for a short while.

Caddis Fly

Muddy Creek

Our next stop was Wat Tyler Country Park.   Here there are several visitor facilities, with an RSPB centre and educational area.   The Wat Tyler Country Park centre with a shop, cafe and picnic tables.   After our lunch we obtained a key for the two RSPB hides and started on our walk.   The muddy creeks around the reserve are a haven for gulls, waders and ducks.   Little egret, pochard, mallard, teal, herring gull, great and lesser black-backed gull, curlew and black-tailed godwit.   A lone avocet fed with black-headed gulls.   A jay was spotted in a distant tree, and a bird of prey shot through the trees away from us - mobbed by eight magpies.   In the bushes and trees lining the path there were blue tit, great tit, and long-tailed tit, linnet, robin, and starling.   A redwing flew overhead, and large numbers of starling created their distinctive artistic patterns in the sky.

From the final hide we saw 12 little grebe, green sandpiper, tufted duck coot, moorhen, two young little grebes were near their nest, and in the reeds a snipe fed.   A wren appeared in front of us in the reeds, but just as quickly flew, not to be seen again.

On the way home we took a quick tour around Tesco's car park in Pitsea, just in case there were any birds feeding on the berries.   Then it was time for the trip home, which was made in good time - there being no delays on the M25.

Ipad

Just got an iPad -love it already - get ready for blogs from all over the place!

Super Sheppey

When I meet new people and discuss where we live I often get "Oh, you're so lucky to have all those good sites near you".   Today just confirmed how right they are and how brilliant the area is for getting out and seeing great birds.

Having checked a few websites last night, the Sheppey area seemed our best bet for seeing some new birds for the autumn so we set off for Leysdown and Shellness.   The tide was far out at Leysdown so we decided to make for Shellness and take a stroll on the inland track along the seawall towards Harty.   Starlings, house sparrow and goldfinch greeted us as we arrived at the car park, but "I'm not here to watch starlings!" rang in our ear from one member of the group . . . . . . indeed we hadn't . . . . .

A (very distant) Rough-legged Buzzard

                                       we had heard that rough-legged buzzard, hen harrier and short-eared owl had been seen in the area over the last few days so as we donned boots and packed our bags we discussed the possibilities for these species in particular.  

Imagine our surprise when within five minutes we had rough-legged buzzard and hen harrier in our sights with marsh harrier close behind.   We followed the rough-legged until it landed in a field and enjoyed great views through the telescope.   A female hen harrier flew through as the buzzard took off and complicated things for a short time, but we soon sorted them out again as they settled back into flying over the nearby fields looking for prey.   At one stage a sparrowhawk swooped across the sea-wall and away from us at speed, sending meadow pipits dispersing in its wake.   Skylarks were singing above the white clouds, declaring their ownership of territory, and grey heron stood stoically along the edge of the fields.

Shells

We wandered along the path for an hour or so and then decided that we should return to Shellness to see how the tide was doing.   Although it hadn't come in a great deal there were plenty of waders and gulls to see, so we settled by the sea wall out of the wind to watch and enjoy lunch.   Large numbers of knot, oystercatcher and grey plover fed on the mud, along with curlew, little egret, cormorant, turnstone, herring gull and black-headed gull.   From here all the way to Leysdown brent geese waddled in the shallows - we counted 225 at one stage.   On the seawall a pied wagtail hunted for food.

Now it was time for us to move inland to Harty Ferry and Capel Fleet, and as we drove through Leysdown several red-legged partridge were spotted in a field by the road.   We decided to move to Harty initially, stopping a couple of times on the way.   Our first stop by the lake on the corner gave huge numbers of mallard and teal, in one of the fields just past the Capel Fleet viewpoint we spotted a flock of lapwing, starling and in amongst them large numbers of golden plover.   A stonechat showed briefly on top of a bush as we drove past.



Curlew

 At Harty there were few birds to find, a couple of curlew on the marshes, some distant brent geese and at one point Sally heard a fieldfare but despite seeing some blackbirds we had no evidence of the thrush.

Back to the viewpoint and although Sally had been spotting birds all day, she really came into her own now!   Kestrels on the telegraph wires, marsh harriers, more red-legged partridge and a flying great white egret were all down to her.   Add to that wheatear, male hen harrier, and short eared owl and you have a perfect birding day.

Shame we didn't have a better telescope though, eh Malcolm?     and an SLR camera with a zoom lens (if you're reading this Jeff)