Sevenoaks and Bough Beech

Today I led my local RSPB Group walk at Sevenoaks KWT Reserve, and Bough Beech.

At last the birds have started to sing again, and we had a great time wandering around the reserve listening to Blackcap, Long-tailed Tit - we saw a family party of 14 at one stage - Chiffchaff and Nuthatch.   In addition from the viewpoint overlooking the lake we immediately added the following to our list: Lapwing, Canada Geese, Mute Swan, Greylag Geese, Coot, Little Egret, Cormorant, Wood Pigeon, Moorhen and Mallard.

View from the main hide

At one stage Claire spotted a bird some way off which appeared to be diving into the water and then perching back on an overhanging branch.   For some while I had the telescope on the branch but nothing was seen.

From the main hide we added Common Sandpiper, a bird which came remarkably close and gave the whole group great views, Pochard, Wigeon, Gadwall, Little Grebe, Robin and Egyptian Geese.   At this point we reconnected with Claire's early spot - a delightful Kingfisher which started off perched in front of the hide on a stone, then moved off to a nearby branch.   Eventually it ended up back where Claire had originally spotted it.

At this point we had also managed to add some non-avian species in the form of ten Red Admiral, four Comma, several Small White and Speckled Wood Butterflies.

House Martins were feeding over the lake, circling around and chattering to each other as they went.

 Small Red-eyed and Common Blue Damselfly, Carder Bee, juvenile Grass Snake and a Rat!

Red Admiral

One of the local birdwatchers told us that a Little Bittern had been spotted an hour before at the Willow Hide, so we decided that we should go on a local "twitch" to see if we could find it.

Long story short - we didn't!

Having said that two of us did see a bird fly from a willow tree as we came out of cover along a path, it was the right size and colour, but if I ask myself what I would have thought it was had I not been told that there was a Little Bittern - and I was stumped, hey ho, that's birdwatching.   We did see a Green Sandpiper at the far side of the Pool.

Three Jays flew overhead, and several Stock Dove were seen.   We also found some higher House Martins which were flying with far more purpose that those spotted earlier.  These appeared to be intent on migration and we all felt a hint of sadness that they would soon be gone for another year.

By now it was lunchtime and we took advantage of the benches and facilities at Sevenoaks before moving off to Bough Beech.

Once we had all reunited we walked to the Causeway and spent some time scanning the two areas of water.   On one side were the Cormorants, Mute Swan, Greylage and Canada Geese in great numbers, with several Great-crested Grebe accompanied by young, still bearing their stripey heads.

On the smaller, shallower area there were Teal, Black-headed Gull, Mallard, Little Egret and two Green Sandpipers.   A Hobby hunted overhead, catching dragonflies and eating on the wing.

Kingfisher

Back at the visitor centre we had ice-creams and then wandered to the new hide.   Here there was much excitement as a Kingfisher was providing a great show.   Feeding from a nearby willow tree, and seemingly unconcerned at our presence.   We watched for some time and took the opportunity to take photographs and marvel at the beautiful colours on this amazing bird.

In the top of some dead trees we found several Linnet; Swallow and House Martin flew overhead, along with a juvenile Herring Gull - much to Claire's glee.