Scoters Galore

I've just read a blog that quotes there being 30,000 common scoter off the north wales coast where I have been this week.

How long did it take someone to count all those birds??

Our last day in Wales . . .

Sunrise over the Malltraeth River

As I had never been to North Wales or Anglesey before I was given the choice of where to go on our last day. I opted for Snowdonia in the hope of ring ouzel and twite - you can probably guess already that it was the wrong decision for that count. However we couldn't have had a nicer last day. The weather was bright and sunny and although a mist hung over the woods early in the morning, the sun soon burned off the worst of it and the mountains started to appear.

Red Squirrel at local takeaway

As we passed local woods we stopped to look for red squirrel - as we had done twice previously - on this occasion however we were met by one on a feeder right in front of the car.   It went behind the tree when it heard us approach, but using the car as a hide and staying quiet it was soon tempted back to the seeds.    We watched for a while, the gorgeous fragile looking squirrel watchful but enjoying the takeaway.   When a dog walker came past it just moved up the tree for a while and then cautiously moved back down again.   Fantastic.

We decided to take a similar route to that earlier in the week, along the farm tracks parallel to the A5 up through the Llanberis pass and into the pastures.

Newborn lamb

I will admit now that we added not one new bird for the trip, but we had a lovely day.     We saw a new born lamb take it's first steps and attempt its first suckling - not altogether successful as the mother was more concerned with cleaning up her young offspring.  

We stopped several times but apart from some lovely pied wagtails, a white wagtail, several wheatear and meadow pipits there was little to distract us. 

Snowdonian fields

Our picnic lunch was taken in yet another beautiful setting with trees all around us and birds singing.   Blue and great tit were most numerous, with robin and wren joining in.   A goshawk - our second of the trip flew along the tree tops and gave us time to grab our bins and watch it's distinctive flight.  Having not seen that many of them I was delighted to be able to actually watch one for a while rather than grab a quick snatch of it disappearing along a ride between trees!  

Wood Anemone

A quick comfort stop at Castle Curig where we also watched dipper on the local stream, had treecreeper and nuthatch in the trees, and it was time to move off to one last site where lesser spotted woodpecker had previously been known to breed.   We walked in dappled shade as the trees were still leafless, great spot called, blue tit and great tit were all around us.   Wren and dunnock sang, and a blackbird shot away from us as we continued uphill.   Wood anemone, celandine and early violet were delicate spots of colour in the sun.   Moss and lichens covered the wood in this ancient forest and some trees even had ferns nestling in their branches.

So, all too soon, it was time to make our way back taking hundreds of photographs (me) and thousands of memories with us.

New friends made, and thanks to their generosity lots of new sights and experiences for me.

Thanks to one and all - you know who you are. x

p.s. on the journey back we saw 45 red kite and about a dozen buzzard - a far better count

Ospreys and Sea-duck lifer

As I don't see ospreys too often in the South East (mainly because I'm not looking up enough apparently!) my kind hosts offered to take us to the RSPB osprey viewing centre at Glaslyn.   We set off for the journey taking the scenic route which took us through some stunning Snowdonian landscapes, more than enhanced by the brilliant weather.  

Upper Glaslyn River

Glaslyn

We found the site easily, thanks to excellent navigation, and were greeted immediately by a very welcoming and knowledgeable member of staff.   There were three telescopes trained on the very distant nest, so the webcam helped us to put the sighting into perspective.   The male had arrived on 18th March (two days later than last year) and the female arrived on 20th March - the same date as last year.   They were cleaning up the nest and feeding up after their long journey.   The earliest date that an egg has appeared previously is 2nd April, and the team are hopeful that the pair may beat that this year.  

As we watched and waited there was excitement as the male came into the nest with a fish for the female.   She took the fish to a nearby tree to eat it, the male sorted out a few more sticks on the nest and then settled for a well-earned rest.

Aberdesach

Eventually we had to move on and had our picnic lunch along the way.   We took the coast road to just beyond Pwllheli then cut across to the north coast at Nefyn to see if we could add more birds to our trip list.    We made several stops along the northern Llyn Peninsular coast, starting at Morfa Nefyn.    Here the National Trust car park is right on the cliff top giving a great view out to sea.

Initially only a few gulls appeared but as we scanned with bins and scope, I was lucky enough to spot a dark duck well out, but in a flat-calm sea.    At first I was unsure, but Phil confimed that it was in fact a scoter, and indeed the surf scoter that we had come to find.   A new British bird for me, and with three scopes we all had chance to get great views and watch as this delightful sea duck feed, with its characteristic wing action as it dived being a particular joy to see.   A group of ladies came over to see what we were looking at and although they obviously had no idea of the significance, a couple of them enjoyed watching through the scope and wanted to talk.

The view inland

The final stop was at Aberdesach, where an Iceland gull had been spotted previously.   Here a school trip from Derbyshire were carrying out a geography field-trip.   We saw more gulls, but very little else.   Paul did get a very distant gannet in the scope but it was too far for me to catch up with.

Old Colwyn, Conwy and Aber

Jackdaw at Old Colwyn

Armed with information from local birders we decided to go to see some scoters today.   We started out at Old Colwyn, where there were over 3000 common scoter, several red-breasted merganser, and cormorants.   As we scanned the sea-duck flotilla Phil noticed two velvet scoter but as two of us were in the ladies and the 'velvets' landed slap bang in the middle of the common variety there was absolutely no chance of me seeing it.

Dunnock

We continued to the RSPB reserve at Conwy where there were a couple of hides, and added some water birds to our day list, but nothing new for the trip.   We got very close to a dunnock which was singing for all it was worth outside one of the hides, sitting up in the reeds giving us great views.   The chaffinch and robins were not quite so obliging.

Conwy Castle

Time for our lunch and we moved on along the North Wales coast to Aber where there are several areas where you can get near the coast to watch wildlife.  At Morfa Madryn we saw red-brested mergansers, shelduck, a few pintail and wigeon were found along this section, along with the find of the day, a Slavonian grebe.

The Morfa Aber Complex

At Aber Ogwen the cuckoo pint were almost in flower, with celandine brightly showing in the sunlight as we wandered through the woodland towards a hide overlooking the water and a scrape.   At the scrape seven little egret preened on one of the islands.   A grey heron stalked for food.

So proud of his spring-cleaned home

Feeders just outside the hide attracted chaffinch, great tit, blue tit and dunnock.  One of the blue tit had started to clean out a nearby next box, working hard to remove old moss and grasses.   After several minutes of exertion the bird sat looking out of his nest box hole proud of his achievements.   Paul saw a female blackcap as it flew past the hide and disappeared into a nearby bush, not to be seen again.

Soon it was time to return to Anglesey, taking the Britannia Bridge.

South Stack and Anglesey

Another lovely sunny day greeted us and after a leisurely breakfast and a bit of bird ringing for Phil, we were off to South Stack RSPB reserve.  

Siskin

Chris was volunteering there today so we took our time along the quiet country lanes stopping regularly to look for birds.    Near the RAF Base pools held shoveler, tufted duck, pochard, coot and moorhen.   Cetti's warbler called from deep inside a bramble bush. 

South stack sunshine

We arrived at the reserve about 11 am with the Welsh mainland and Snowdonia visible.   Bardsey Island was also hanging in the haze. Within minutes we had seen raven displaying - spinning over and then back again. A pair of chough flew past several times, but we only saw two each time, so perhaps the same pair.

As we followed the coastal path where walkers were enjoying the beautiful weather - shorts and T shirts seemed to be the order of the day!    We, meanwhile, watched the sea for guillemot, razorbill and a couple of puffin.    Guillemot lined ledges on the cliffs, with many hundreds chuntering away to each other.    Kittiwake, fulmar, and a distant gannet added to our joy. On the gorse nearby many meadow pipit flew ahead of us, a pair of stonechat perched up on a gorse bush enabling Paul to get great photos.

Stonechat

After lunch at the cafe we went off to look for adders, but were sadly disappointed on this occasion.    We decided to take a return route via Holyhead where five black guillemot were found in the harbour.    With another stop at a country park where ringed plover were seen in flight, black-headed gulls were our main sightings.    After a quick scan of the reed beds behind the car park for galls - which proved negative - we were off again.

Unfortunately an accident prevented our continuing the afternoon's plans and soon we were heading back to base with buzzards soaring overhead, and one obliging individual sitting beside the road on a gorse bush an excellent sight.

Old Foundations

Highlights in the afternoon sunlight - where the heat was particularly strong - were jay, a pair of great white egret flying over, knot and redshank.

Snowdonia and beyond . . .

Pale-bellied Brent Geese

Day 2, and I woke at 5.30 gmt (6.30 bst) to the sound of curlew in the estuary outside.    After breakfast we were off on a tour to try to find some welsh specialties.    First stop was the Old Ferry area where sandwich tern perched on the buoys and 20 pale-bellied Brent geese were feeding close into the shore.    A pair of goldeneye flew north.

Dipper Country

Slate Fence

We moved onto the mainland and up to a woodland stream where we saw dipper from the road.    As it moved away from us, we continued along a path to get an overview of the confluence of three waterways.   Green woodpecker "yaffled" in nearby pasture where sheep grazed.    A pair of mallard enjoyed the moving waters and the dipper dropped into the water from moss covered stones, bobbing as it decided which direction to go off in next.   Coal tit, blue tit and mistle thrush were also seen as we revelled in the peace and quiet of this glorious corner of the world - truly magical! We continued up the valley towards Nant Ffrancon following the farm track that ran parallel to the A5, stopping regularly to enjoy the scenery and to look for birds. Wheatear were our next sighting with at least four birds, the males calling well from their perches on top of the large rocks.

More delights were to follow with a slow drive along narrow stone-wall lined lanes (with no passing places and beautiful wooded countryside around us.   Our lunch spot was at a picnic site overlooking a fantastic conifer woodland valley, hunting in vain for goshawk there were several common buzzard soaring on the warm thermals, siskin, coal tit, chaffinch sang around us.   Two ravens flew over making their distinctive call.   The generous lunch of salad, ham, bread rolls, cheese, sausage rolls, yoghurt, fruit and copious tea was gratefully received.

Snowdonia

Eventually we had to drag ourselves away from the superb scene.   Taking a circuit including the Llanberis pass we continued onwards in our search for ring ouzel.    More buzzard - at one stage there were five in the air circling over the car - but sadly on this occasion no ring ouzel, maybe next time . . .

And so to Wales . . .

Malltraeth Estuary

Saturday dawned and there was thick fog as I waited for my lift to Wales. On the dot of 7 am Phil arrived and within minutes we had the car packed with all my junk and were on our way to Anglesey.    Mist hung over most of our journey so the travelling bird list had a very slow start. Magpie, wood pigeon and carrion crow were the most numerous species seen around the M25, with two parakeets adding a little dash of colour.    Heading up the M40 patches of sunshine joined forces and made me put my sunglasses on.    Our red kite was a measly 9, but common buzzard more hopeful.

A quick stop for tea and facilities and we were on our way again with fog our companion.    As we continued, with the road meandering between England and Wales the fog thickened.    Into Wales proper and a tailback lengthened our journey-time by at least 30 minutes.    Following the southern edge of the Dee estuary and the north Wales coast the sun shone and we were onto balmy warm weather which has been promised for the rest of the week (we hope).

The Bridge over the River Malltraeth

We arrived to a lovely homemade soup with fresh bread and cheeses all taken in the garden overlooking the estuary at Malltraeth.

After this, we went for a walk along the Cobb and saw my first truly welsh birds, buzzards, teal, little egret, redshank, spotted redshank mallard, grey heron to name but a few.

A great introduction to the week. A great meal followed and then it was time for bed - listening to the birds of the estuary settling as I drifted off into slumber.

Delightful Dungeness

Dungeness is always one of my favourite birdwatching sites, you never know quite what might turn up, but just occasionally it more than surprises you - it delights you, so here goes.

The omens were not too good, I had two near misses in the car before I had collected my three passengers, and then had an argument with a BMW near Ashford which almost wrote us off the road.   Obviously I didn't realise that the man in the third lane needed to cross two lanes and pass in front of me to join the motorway west-bound rather than follow the lane around to the east-bound exit - silly me.

The final omen was that we went from bright clear blue skies and sunshine into thick sea fog as we approached the lighthouse.   Magically (probably the presence of our lord and master Malcolm) the fog lifted as we prepared ourselves for an exploration around the gorse and shingle scrub.  

Linnet

There was one other birdwatcher watching and waiting in the gorse bushes, presumably looking for landfall migrants.   He didn't look too excited, so we decided to take a look around the old lighthouse garden.

There were plenty of meadow pipits around, calling and flying around in loose groups and several magpies strutting about.   House sparrows were dust-bathing near the vehicles seemingly unaware of the presence of the owners.   Three linnet flew past.   We wandered slowly in the direction of the observatory, taking time to scan all the gorse and bramble bushes for movement.   We could hear chiffchaff singing well just out of view and more meadow pipits took our attention as they soared above us.   Pied wagtails were perched on fence posts dipping down regularly to feed on the gravel path.  As we stood Malcolm spotted movement in a near gorse bush, it turned out to be a firecrest, only the third I have seen in the UK and the best views by far that I have had.   Then more movement in a further bush; and although we didn't see two birds at any one time, there were obviously two separate birds - so my fourth ever too!   Needless to say I was so thrilled to watch them, the photos are rubbish.

Next stop was the moat around the observatory.   Dunnocks were leading the way flying ahead of us.   We bumped into a couple of birdwatchers coming in the other direction, they had seen a female black redstart trapped in the heligoland trap and got the warden to come and release it, so there was a chance it would still be around.    A skylark sang which Malcolm spotted high overhead.

As we stood watching the moat house sparrows were gathering in the bramble bushes, then Malcolm spotted movement on a distant fence post.   I got the telescope on it - a female black redstart - excellent!   Although the light was not too kind to us, the red tail was evident.   It moved from post to ground to feed then back onto the post, allowing us all to get good views and point it out to two others nearby.  

By now it was time for lunch and "facilities" so we drove to the RSPB reserve to see what was about and enjoy our picnic lunch.    Seven snow geese flew over as we got ready to move off, apparently they had been around in the area for a few days moving between the reserve and local gravel pits.  After a well earned break we decided to head back to the sea.   We were still hankering after wheatear which had been coming into the country over the last week or so, and the warden had explained that they migrate during the day, so generally arrived in the early afternoon.

Wheatear Country

As we drove along the road nearing the car park Malcolm shouted out "Stop!" - testing my emergency stop skills for a fourth time today.    He had seen a couple of wheatear flying towards us.   I saw them fly across the road just ahead of us and then over the railway fencing and disappear.   So nothing else to do but ditch the car in the car park as soon as possible and go look for them.   Sure enough there were at least four probably five birds on the close cropped grass, beyond the fence, picking about for food.   The females were smart but the males were so handsome.   Every year I am excited at the prospect of seeing them and every year they please and delight me anew.   Such brilliant birds and a real joy to see.   We got the telescope and all got great views, then more delights - a male stonechat, again in fabulous breeding plumage sitting high on a bramble ever watchful.  

Somewhere in there is a Wheatear!

After a while the wheatears had moved further away and the stonechat had been well watched there was just time for a bit of sea watching before we headed home.

The usual gulls were present on the patch, and a kittiwake flew close in to the beach where fishermen were ever hopeful.   The tide was well out and there was a pod of porpoises swimming a way offshore, but they gave us a great show of their back fins. 

A flock of at least 40 brent geese flew eastwards, and three common scoter moved in the same direction.   The usual cormorants and great-crested grebe also enjoyed bobbing on the low tide.

Happily the journey home was uneventful, perhaps the invisibility cloak had been removed from the corsa!

Wheatears

Saw my first wheatears of 2012 yesterday. Several females looking good, upright, watchful and perky as they fed on the shingle at Dunge. The males though . . . . Superbly kitted out in their bright breeding plumage were something else. Always great to see but in the spring sunshine their breast and throat colouring was fab, and their gorgeous 'cloaks' looked so smart from behind.

I fell in love on sight - shame I'm not a Wheatear!

Stodmarsh

My usual wandering colleagues and I decided to go to Stodmarsh last Wednesday.   The signs of spring were all about us with queen bees searching for suitable nest sites, marsh frogs enjoying the sun on the side of the ditches and white nettle and blackthorn flowering. 

Coppiced Woodland

We started out from the car park where we could hear blue tit, robin and blackbird.   The most noticeable sounds however were wren - we had at least three singing from the car park and then another three as we entered the woodland, a lovely song which made us stand and listen for some minutes in admiration, such a great song from one of our smallest birds.

Siskin

In the woodland one of the first birds we saw were siskin, several females and a couple of brightly coloured males.   These are one of my favourite birds, probably because they aren't the most easily or often seen, and I always feel quite pleased and privileged to be in their presence.   Chiffchaff and great spotted woodpecker were calling from the depth of the wood and long-tailed tit, great tit and coal tit (brilliantly spotted by Malcolm) all added to our pleasure.   Wood pigeons flew off as we progressed along the trail.   We were surprised to see so much water lying in the woodland area.   I assume that they have been pumping water into the area as everywhere else we have been to recently has been very dry.

Pussy Willow

As we got to the edge of the wood coot, moorhen, pheasant, and tufted duck appeared from the reeds and a little further on a cetti's warbler sang from deep in a nearby bush.   As we approached the more open area there were greylag and mute swan on the field.   There were many magpie and carrion crow throughout the day. 

Black-tailed Godwit

A female teal slept perched on a tussock, with several pairs of mallard nearby.   Reed buntings were calling from the reed beds and several were spotted as we moved towards Marsh Hide, they sat high up near the head of the reed proclaiming their territory.   A couple of female marsh harriers circled over the reed beds.

Blackthorn

As we lunched in the hide (with apologies to those enjoying the peace and quiet) a peaceful scene was laid out before us.   Many teal and lapwing, and several redshank were going about their day on the scrape.   How quickly the scene changed when a peregrine shot across the view, waders flew up in all directions, the lapwing giving their alarm calls, flapping wings and trying to cause as much confusion to the hunter as possible.   Unsuccessful, the peregrine flew away from us, low over the fields.   Sometime later one of the other people in the hide noticed the bird on the edge of a nearby pool washing and preening, where it stayed for some considerable time.

Glossy Ibis

Water Pipit

Scanning the pool (with my newly repaired telescope) there were little egret, at least three dunlin, ten ringed plover, six ruff, then four black-tailed godwit flew in and landed right in front of us.   Two were in almost full male summer plumage and the two looked more like the less gaudy females.   Pied wagtail flitted on the edge of the pool feeding on small insects.   A male marsh harrier flew past, then a second bird appeared.   I watched the first bird, Irene followed the second and noticed it was a male hen harrier.   When we met the other birdwatchers later on, one of them confirmed he had also seen a hen harrier, so another good spot by Irene - just shows what good training we are giving her!

From the next hide we could see many more teal, over 20 snipe, several shoveler, a few gadwall and three grey heron.   We walked on to the River Stour.   Konik ponies are being used to graze the fields and the mares were trotting along through the wet grass whinnying as they went - quite evocative for a while, then after an hour or so pretty annoying when you are trying to listen for birds.   Malcolm heard and then saw a green sandpiper fly up from one of the ditches, a water pipit was found weaving in an out of grass on one of the small muddy islands in the ox-bow lake area.   Irene spotted two glossy ibis feeding on the far side of the field, their long beaks probing in the wet marsh for insects and other goodies.   A couple enjoying the view across the fields from one of the benches pointed out a kingfisher to us.   It was using a wire fence as a perch as it fished in the pool.

Soon it was time to return to the car park and home.



Sunset and Reeds

Telescope

Got the Telescope back from the lovely people at Swarovski just in time for my day out last Wednesday.   Only two weeks and no charge - that's why it's worth the money.

Greenfinch

Just had the first greenfinch in the garden this year. The blue tits are going to the nest box regularly, and the blackbird is scrabbling about in the undergrowth for tasty morsels. Happy days

Elmley RSPB Reserve

A walk at the RSPB Reserve at Elmley on the Isle of Sheppey was my destination this weekend.   Although overcast initially the weather improved as the day progressed and by lunchtime we had brilliant sunshine.

Elmley Rills

Male Reed Bunting

On the drive into the reserve there were dry rills and very few pools of water - just shows how different from previous years when the fields have almost been underwater in March.   Despite the dry conditions and the few birds around we did see lapwing displaying - giving their fantastic calls as they fluttered in the sky.   Further along a meadow pipit slowed our progress by dust bathing in front of the car.   We had great views as it flapped its wings to get the dust all over the feathers, even rubbing the top of it's head at one stage - lovely to watch.   Finally we got to the car park where house sparrow, wigeon and coot were seen behind the toilet block.   In the tree wood pigeons were resting causing some interest as we scanned for little owl.

Moving along the track a bird was spotted on a distant building, through the telescope it had that distinctive pattern on the chest that I had seen on rough-legged buzzard last year, but it was so far away it was hard to call.   After some debate someone decided that it was far too small to be a buzzard, someone else decided that it was!   As I moved to allow someone else to use the scope the bird flew, and two others saw the white tail of the bird I suspected.   Some sceptics were unsure - probably because it "takes three women or one man to make an ID!" (to quote someone not too far away - teehee, sour grapes).

Avocet, Black-headed Gull and Ringed Plover

In the pasture and pools by the side of the track were mute swan, curlew, skylark, little egret, mallard, shelduck, canada geese, moorhen, teal, a large flock of starling and a very smartly plumaged male reed bunting - the first I have seen this spring in full colour.   A kestrel hovered as marsh harrier swooped over the far ditches.   Over the course of the day we saw at least three kestrel and four or five female harriers, with one very handsome male.   Carrion crow and magpie were feeding in the fields.

Redshank and Black-headed gull

At the first hide we found more shelduck and coot and added little grebe, redshank, turnstone, oystercatcheer, and avocet.   At the further hide - on the way to the site of the now removed Swale Hide we had great views of ringed plover, a possible spotted redshank (again too far away to see the colour of the legs or the bill), or greenshank.   Three grey heron flew past, and were the only heron seen all day.   Perhaps the rest are already at Northward Hill at the Heronry there?

As we lunched and enjoyed the view of the scrapes in the sunshine a peregrine caused consternation with the lapwings - huge numbers of them swooping around to escape its clutches.  As they flew overhead we could see a dozen golden plover in with the flock - totally impossible to see on the ground.  A cormorant sat in the middle of a field, looking oddly out of place.

Elmley Scrape

The tide came in pushing huge numbers of waders onto the reserve dunlin seemed the most numerous.   Snipe, shoveler, pintail, greylag, pochard, mediterranean gull, black-headed, herring, common and greater black-backed gulls all enjoyed the warmth.  

After lunch we moved onto the sea wall (in the absence of the hide there is no other way to see the river), there were several great-crested grebe, a small flotilla of shelduck, and huge flocks of waders flying in to feed on the small areas of mud still available on the high tide.   Knot, oystercatcher, curlew and redshank were present in large numbers.   Another stop in the last hide, and on the way we noticed the droppings of water vole and marsh frogs.

On the return journey sparrowhawk delighted us as it flew around high above us, and then as we were ending our walk, the final delight - a pair of short-eared owl flying over a reedbed.   Just made our day.

Bouyed with newfound enthusiasm we decided to go to Capel Fleet Viewpoint.  As we left Elmley I bumped into Chris and Mark, and after giving them directions to the owls, we moved off as the sun started to set.   One last stop on the track when I spotted a lapwing doing a strange dance with its tail in the air - presumably showing off the lovely russet vent to its prospective partner.   After a while the female looked slightly interested, started to move towards the male, adopted a submissive position and then both birds turned their backs on each other and continued to peck at tasty morsels on the ground - so much for our theory - or perhaps they just didn't want an audience!

Sunset on the water

Never has that road seemed so long - finally arriving, we met up with Pauline, John and Alan who were already in-situ and wondering if we had "wimped out" - they had already clocked up nearly 100 corn bunting and a couple more short-eared owls.   This time the owls were close to us hunting over the rough grass and reed edged ditches where we had seen them on previous occasions.   There were three individuals.   We had superb views and watched spellbound by their grace and beauty.   The corn buntings also started to return to two bramble bushes where they were roosting.   A further grey heron, wood pigeons, kestrel, over 40 mute swan, pheasant and red-legged partridge completed our day.

The sad sight of the day was two dead swans under the telegraph wires.

Brrrrr

Having been cooped up in the house for the last few days with a cold, I was really looking forward to getting out again. The weather forecast wasn't too good, but we decided to go to Toys Hill near Brasted. Malcolm and Sally had been there once before but on a wet day.

As we went round the M25 the weather worsened and by the time we arrived, it looked like we had a replay of the previous visit!

Welcome to Toys Hill

After a cup of tea in the car we had no other excuses and the rained eased off, so we made tracks. Wood pigeon and great tit were feeding nearby as we left the car park. Blackbird, chaffinch and several more wood pigeons were seen as we progressed around the 'red trail'.   At one point Malcolm noticed a foamy mass on a tree trunk.   This was caused by raindrops falling from a branch onto the same spot on moss on the tree trunk.

Raindrops creating foam on tree trunk

We didn't see the wood in the best of conditions, low cloud, rain and a howling gale, but one for another visit when there is a far better forecast!

Lunch at KWT Sevenoaks, and as we warmed up a familiar face appeared, Roy on a day out to Bough Beech and Sevenoaks. We discussed our recent sightings and those birds recently at Sevenoaks and sent Roy off ahead to find us some birds.

Donning our already wet coats, we set off for the cover of the hides as the heavens opened yet again. At least there were a few more birds here with Canada geese, Greylag, a couple of Egyptian geese, great-crested grebe, five snipe, herring gull, common gull, black-headed gull, mallard and teal from the first hide. Roy joined us for the rest of our walk, and as we moved on towards the Tower hide we passed a marshy area where we had seen grey wagtail with our local RSPB group last year. Within seconds of this being said, Roy spotted movement, and is was a pair of grey wagtail - right on cue!

Mute swan at Sevenoaks

Tower hide gave us at least a dozen more snipe, all busily feeding in the short stubby grass in front of the reeds. Moorhen, coot and gadwall were also found here. At the Slingsby hide we looked form water rail. No luck on that score, but we did have great views of goldcrest in a nearby tree, a wren feeding in the channel cut through the reeds, and a very gregarious Robin who came in through the hide window to take crumbs of my cereal bar (the only thing we had with us).

We decided to try for the bittern which had been seen recently from the willow hide. Again no sign of this bird but we did have fleeting glimpses of kingfisher, more egyptian geese, jays, magpies, mute swan, teal, pochard and coot.

Leaf miner on bramble leaf

Overlooking the fields at the end if the nature trail we found 10 pied wagtail, ring-necked parakeet, jackdaw, carrion crow and while Roy and Malcolm watched redpoll, Sally pointed out a bird of prey to me - turned out to be a buzzard. A second bird, a lot paler than the first appeared, but as it was further away no conclusive ID was possible.

A stroll back to the car, and a quick scan of the riding school field before returning home with the heater in full blast to dry and warm us.

Higham Bight and Cliffe

A lovely sunny winter's day led us to Cliffe today.  We initially started from the RSPB car park and moved off towards the railway which supports the Brett Aggregates plant.   Magpies, chaffinch, wood pigeon and blackbird were seen in the car park.   On the pool nearby large numbers of coot, little grebe, pochard, tufted duck and black-headed gull were seen.

Lambs with mum

I could hear a distant skylark, but it's song was drowned out by the lorries at the nearby gravel works.
At a nearby farm new born lambs enjoyed the sunshine, bleating their contact noises to keep mum close at hand.  In the fields beyond Sally spotted a couple of mistle thrush feeding on the ground.   A song thrush sang from a tree in the hedgerow.   Dunnock and blackbird were also seen.

The River Thames

Beyond the railway line and the gravel works we found shelduck, little egret, coot, and little grebe.   Here there were more skylark singing high above us, a delightful sound in the spring sunlight.   On Alpha pool Malcolm spotted a different grebe which turned out to be a black-necked.   As we watched a second bird appeared in partial breeding plumage, so a probable pair.   Lovely birds to see especially when not in full winter plumage.

Cliffe Creek

As we approached Cliffe Fort we found grey plover, curlew, black-headed gulls, oystercatcher, black-tailed godwit, great black-backed gull, shelduck, teal, and a huge number of avocet, at least 750 were counted by Malcolm.   At least 45 redshank, a turnstone, and several gadwall.

After a picnic lunch by the river, we moved on to Cliffe Creek and Flamingo Pool.   More redshank and teal fed in the creek.   The muddy rills provide a valuable feeding ground for them.

Seaweed and mud

On Flamingo pool the goldeneye we saw a few weeks ago were still present, two of the males were giving half-hearted displays, but nothing to match the great sights of our last visit.   Reed bunting, blackbird, chaffinch, coot, shelduck, little grebe, pochard and long-tailed tit were all seen from this area, along with a couple of familiar faces; Roger arrived from one side and Graham and his uncle from another at the same time.   After an exchange of our various sightings, which included a great spot from Roger of a greenshank at the far side of the pool which had a colour-ring.  This is the bird which had confused us earlier in the year when we could see a distant wader with what appeared to be a red leg.  With low light giving bad visibility, we realised this was probably the bird we had been watching.   A second (unringed) greenshank flew in shortly after.

Mud, mud, glorious mud

As we ended our trip, at the inland end of Flamingo we spotted a large number of pintail.   Several others flew in as they were presumably arriving for their night roost.   Over the Black Barn pools a lapwing was seen displaying - another sight of spring.