The Windy White Cliffs of Dover

It is at least eight years since I have walked along the White Cliffs from Dover towards St Margaret's at Cliffe, so I was really looking forward to today's walk with Malcolm, Sally and Irene.

The White Cliffs

The weather was bright, sunny and breezy to start with - the wind assisting us in our slow progress along the chalky footpath.   During the morning the wind stiffened and by lunchtime we were struggling to keep our footing in the more exposed parts of the cliffs, and heading into the wind made our progress rather slow on the return journey.   Having spent most of my holidays as a child on the East Coast at Skegness it reminded me of the "Skegness is so Bracing" slogan.

There was little chance of any perched migrants - they stood more chance of being blown back inland than making it to the continent, but in the more sheltered spots we did find plenty to keep our interest.

Common Blue, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Chalk-hill Blue and a couple of Wall Brown were our most notable butterflies.

Grey Bush-cricket

Common Cricket were numerous in the long grass and after much patience and searching Malcolm finally found a magnificent Grey Bush-cricket.

Wall Brown

As always at this time of year galls are high on someone's agenda - and today was no different with Wild Carrot and Knapweed being the main plants of interest to the illustrious Malcolm.

The dramatic white coastline contrasted against the sea in the bright sunlight, and with ferries passing to and fro it was a delightful scene.

Birds seen during the day were: Kestrel, Peregrine, Herring Gull, Blue Tit, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, and a juvenile Green Woodpecker.

There were some hardy harebells nestled in the long grasses gaining some protection from the wind and a few gentians at the base of the cliffs.

Roesel's Bush-cricket

A Sunday walk at Northward Hill was my bank holiday treat today.   After stormy wet weather yesterday it was great to get out in the sunshine and warmth of a summer day.   A select group of 8 joined Jeff and our sightings started from the car park with  Barn Swallow, Goldfinch, Chaffinch, Carrion Crow, Rook and Collared Dove.   From the viewpoint (currently minus the benches which are apparently being refurbished) we watched the two pools and found Mallard, Pochard and Coot.   A Sparrowhawk put up a large flock of Lapwing and four Black-tailed Godwit.   I found a Green Sandpiper on the muddy fringes of the island on the scrape, along with Avocet.

Walking towards the marshes there were Roesel's Bush-cricket (see the distinctive bright 'U' shape on the side) and Lesser Marsh Grasshopper or Common Grasshopper, Chorthippus Albomarginatus [with grateful thanks to Malcolm for the identification].   Overhead a Marsh Harrier circled, Kestrel hovered and a Green Woodpecker called from the woods nearby.

Several butterflies delighted us as we walked through the woods, including Green-veined White, Small White, Speckled Wood, Common Blue, Red Admiral and Meadow Brown.  Ruddy Darter and Migrant Hawker were also about in large numbers.  Check out the movement of the head of the Migrant Hawker in the video above - amazing!

Oak Sapling

Sally spotted a gall on a thistle which was identified (again by Malcolm) as Urophora Cardui.   This is caused by a Canada Thistle Gall Fly which lays its eggs on the stems of its host plant, the Canada thistle.  After hatching, the larvae burrow into the stem of the plant and form a gall - which looks like a Gooseberry.  The fly goes through a tunnel formed in the gall between June to October.

We decided to have lunch by the Duck Decoy, on of our favourite spots; peaceful and quiet with sedges and reedbeds nearby which give us lots to enjoy as we eat.    Huge flocks of Lapwing, Jackdaw and Rooks were spooked by a Peregrine which then used thermals to gain rapid height.    Marsh Frogs were croaking as we put the world to rights over our picnic.

Red Admiral

Beyond the Decoy, we heard and then saw Bearded Tit.   A bright handsome male flew along just over the tops of the reeds, through the middle of the group and then disappeared into the reeds beyond us.

We decided it was time to return via the reservoir.  Here were a couple of Little Grebe, Pochard, Gadwall, and Mute Swan.   The island in the middle of the reservoir was covered in "rampant vegetation" according to Jeff - summed it up quite well.

A great summer's day.

Kingfisher galore

Back in the swing of birdwatching and today was a trip to Bough Beech and Sevenoaks.   Although birdwatching is always a little quiet at this time of year, in the end it will have to liven up - won't it?

 Video of Swallow nest

Pool at Bough Beech KWT Reserve

Today started well with a Hobby flying low over the car park at Bough Beech, as it swooped and soared it was mobbed continually by Swallow - lots of them - taking their life in their hands and protecting the others in their flock.   Just over our heads and around us flew adults still feeding at least five young in two nests high in the open barn.   We stood watching as they whizzed around us, feeding continually.  The young were sitting with their bills resting on the edge of the nest, gapes in full view to make sure that they didn't miss any opportunity to feed.   A superb start.

Whilst I tried (unsuccessfully) to digiscope the Swallows, Irene and Malcolm had noticed some strange growth on a nearby Oak tree.   On the end of branches were long, thin twigs with fresh leaves on the end.  Malcolm had read somewhere that they were referred to as Lammas growth and charged me with some research so here goes .....
"Lammas growth is also called Lammas leaves, Lammas flush, second shoots, or summer shoots, and is a season of renewed growth in some trees in temperate regions put on in July and August that is around Lammas day, August 1, which is the Celtic harvest festival. Examples of common trees which exhibit regrowth are oak, ash, beech, sycamore, yew, scots pine, sitka spruce and hawthorn. This secondary growth may be an evolutionary strategy to compensate for leaf damage caused by insects during the spring.
Lammas growth declines with the age of the tree, being most vigorous and noticeable in young trees. It differs in nature from spring growth which is fixed when leaves and shoots are laid down in the bud the previous year. The lammas flush is free growth of newly made leaves/needles throughout the tree. One or more of the buds set in the Spring on the ends of terminal and lateral stems will break, and begin to grow, producing a new shoot." (With thanks to Wikipedia)
                                                                                                     So now you know

Grey Heron having a scratch

Back to the birds and from the new hide overlooking the pond we found two Grey Heron, Moorhen, Jackdaw, a high-flying Common Buzzard, Goldfinch, a Kestrel perched on nearby wires and the best view this year so far of a Kingfisher.   I also spotted two Stock Doves on a distant wire and juvenile Linnet in one of the dead trees overlooking the pond.

From the dam at the Reservoir we counted three Common Sandpiper and five Green Sandpiper, two Mandarin Duck, many Lapwing, Teal, Mallard, Greylag and Canada Geese, Great-crested Grebe, Coot, Little Egret, Black-headed Gull, Cormorant, Magpie, and Moorhen.

Kingfisher

Mandarin Duck

After a break for lunch, and a very welcome tea, it was time to move off to Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve.   Here were the usual birds on the lake, including Cormorant, Greylag, Canada, and Egyptian Geese.   Lapwing, both adult and obvious juvenile were gathering in flocks, and on the water were Tufted Duck, Pochard, Mallard, Mute Swan, Black-headed Gull, Great-crested Grebe, Teal, and Coot.   Pied Wagtail fed along the edges of the pools, dipping their tails in the usual fashion.   Wood pigeons, Magpie and Starling were seen in the trees.

From Willow Hide we spotted Migrant Hawker and Blue-tailed Damselfy, along with more Mute Swan, Tufted Duck, and Coot.   Just to top our day off, a Kingfisher flew across in front of the hide and then perched in a tree on the far side of the pool, allowing us great views.

Any day when you see a Kingfisher is great, but two - makes it extra-special

Back to Birding

Red Admiral on Buddleia

After the hustle and bustle of the bird fair it was great to get back to some bird watching in North Kent in an outing with my local RSPB Group.

Although the forecast was for cloud we had a lovely sunny day, rather hot, but after the sauna-like conditions of the weekend it was quite pleasant, and excellent for butterflies.  We saw many including Large White, Small White, Red Admiral, Peacock, and Gatekeeper.   We also found several dragon and damselflies including Migrant Hawker, Common Blue Damselfly, Ruddy Darter and Common Darter.

Migrant Hawker

From the car park area we saw Cormorant leaving their tree roosts, Coot, Black-headed Gull and Little Grebe.   Wood Pigeons flew around, a Whitethroat perched on a nearby bramble bush, and Chaffinch chattered away.   As we moved to the view point Chiffchaff were chirping their contact calls.

The Pinnacle Viewpoint gives a great opportunity to see the whole reserve laid out, with the pools and the adjacent tracks allowing you to plan your trip.   From here there were many Black-tailed Godwit feeding, Redshank, Great-crested Grebe, Pochard and Lapwing completed the scene.

A very distant Black-necked Grebe

Female Wasp Spider

As we continued through the reserve Little Egret, Avocet, Greenshank, Common Sandpiper,  Common Tern, Shelduck, and Oystercatcher were seen on the Flamingo Pool.   One small grebe took attention, and after much debate and trying to judge the shape of the head during the snatched moments when it was on the surface we realised it was my initial hunch - a Black-necked Grebe.   Overhead Swallow were feeding and chattering to each other - a lovely sound and one which will soon be lost until next year.

The tide was out when we got to Cliffe Creek but we still managed to spot a Whimbrel.   Huge flocks of Starling were gathering and circling around, and a few Lesser Black-backed Gulls were also evident.   At the far end of Flamingo Pool we watched the River Thames - the tide was out and (as usual) the birds all appeared on the Essex side.   Funnily when we were in Essex the birds were all in Kent!   Julie decided that it was a great place for Wasp Spiders, and after some patience managed to find this lovely female.

The Bird Fair

Ready for action

I've just got back from the Bird Fair where I represented REGUA, the conservation project in Brazil which I have been supporting for the last six years.

Deep in Conversation

Along with Rachel, Lee and Alan I had a great time talking about my favourite place non-stop for three whole days - it was bliss!   Standing around chatting for over 8 hours a day was tiring, but rewarding.

There was a chance to meet up with some old friends, those who had stayed at the Guapi Assu Lodge previously and were keen to find out how things had developed since.   Others had heard all about the project and others were planning to visit or re-visit.

For the first year we had a whole stand and the impact was fantastic.  The new Logo really caught the eye and our new banners and home-made cakes (courtesy of Rachel from RAW Baking)  drew in the crowds and we had a brilliant time.

Rachel with delicious homemade cakes

Warehorne & Kenardington

My usual Wednesday walkers and I decided to follow a recommended walk at Warehorne near Ham Street in Kent.

The Royal Military Canal

The described walk follows the footpaths at the side of the Royal Military Canal [which was built to hinder an invasion by Bonaparte and his troops] for about 5 miles.  

Needless to say, we only managed about two miles, but we saw many interesting galls on oaks and turkey oaks; found a great pub - The Woolpack Inn - where we had lunch outside, and enjoyed a great day wandering along the side of the canal.

From the car park we could see a mixed flock of gulls including, Black-headed, Herring and Lesser Black-backed.   House Sparrow, Chiffchaff, Wood Pigeon, Carrion Crow, and Green Woodpecker were all quickly added to our day's list.

 A truly Ancient Ash

As we worked out how to get through gates and over gates, we had great views of several Grey Heron as they flew between the various drainage ditches.   At one stage Malcolm saw a Green Sandpiper, but I only caught it as it dipped below the hedgerow, and out of sight.

A pair of Mute Swan moved quietly down the canal, disturbed by a man in a kayak.   As I scanned the distant trees which were full of Rooks and Crows, I noticed four birds flying past.   Focussing in one them I realised it was a Turtle Dove.   Although I have heard a couple this year, this was the first I had seen.

On the canal Coot and a juvenile Moorhen were flushed as we walked by.   Greenfinch, a single Long-tailed Tit, Jackdaw and Chaffinch all followed as we made our way into the village.   House Martin and Swallow fed overhead, with the Swallow lining up on the telegraph wires nearby.

Tree grazed by sheep

In the village of Warehorne (named in 820 AD as Werehornas, meaning "a place on the bend by the weir") there is an old church, parts of which have been dated at 1200 AD and mentioned in the Doomsday Book.   Best of all, there is an ancient Ash tree which has been logged with the Woodland Trust and apparently has a girth of 6.41 metres.   We had to hold Malcolm back from giving it a hug.  

As we returned on the other side of the canal, we worked our way through some farm land with young cattle.   Pied Wagtail were on the farm buildings.   Malcolm started to inspect an Oak tree for galls, of which we found three, [sorry Malcolm but I cannot begin to name them all] then out of the corner of his eye he spotted a butterfly.  After some little time we all managed to catch up with it - a Purple Hairstreak - by the time I had the telescope on the appropriate leaf it had flown however.

Looking for galls

Further along the path Irene spotted a Yellowhammer (another first for me for the year), and then a Small Tortoiseshell was seen, looking bright and clean.

We stopped by the canal for a mid-afternoon snack, and Great-spotted Woodpecker was heard calling nearby, try as we might, it was not to be seen.   Red-eyed damselfly was more obliging, settling on a lily leaf in the canal.

St Mary's Kenardington

As we crossed the final bridge back to the car, a Kingfisher flew away from us down the Canal, a brilliant end to our walk.

We did in fact take a short extension, but the rain started and we retreated to the car and our journey home.

The Spider and the Fly

I noticed this spider and fly having a face-to-face set-to on a rose in the garden.  

On closer inspection, the spider appears to be eating the fly.   Size obviously does not matter in this case.

The spider and the fly

Cliffe Pools

A walk led by Paul for my local RSPB Group on Friday evening, led to some brilliant sunset shots, and lots of mozzie bites - 30 is the highest admitted to so far!

Overview from The Pinnacle Viewpoint

Black-headed Gull juveniles

Common Sandpiper

Sunset over Cliffe Creek

Waders at Oare

Rainham Marshes

On my way back to Kent from Essex, I met up with my Wednesday group at Rainham Marshes.  The photos tell the story . . . .

Snail with yellow rim

Dark Bush-Cricket (Male)

Common or Viviparous Lizard

Ever noticed how hairy butterflies are?

Digiscoped Marsh Frogs

Finally, a bird . . . 

Fingringhoe Wick

Several times a year I get together with Pam and Ken in Essex.   With great hospitality and company a great time is promised.  Ken and I take the opportunity to do some bird-watching in Essex.   Our latest exploits took us on a return visit to Fringringhoe Wick, an Essex Wildlife Trust reserve, set alongside the River Colne.

Redshank

The usual culprits announced themselves early with Wood Pigeon, Magpie, Carrion Crow, and Coot in the first couple of minutes from the car park.   Chaffinch (all female) and Greenfinch were utilising the easy pickings on the bird feeders in the visitor centre garden.   I also saw my first Great Tit for a long time nearby.

Tufted Duck

As we wandered around the reserve, the faint purr of a Turtle Dove was heard.   From the hide overlooking the estuary we saw probably 100 Redshank, a couple of Common Sandpipers, Black-headed Gulls, several Shelduck, Oystercatchers, and Black-tailed Godwit.   Given the numbers of the latter which I have been seeing at Oare recently, there were significantly less, but as the day progressed more came in on the rising tide and there must have been around 70 birds in the end.   Curlew similarly increased with the tide, as they came in to roost on the marshes, preening and settling down for a rest from the frenzy of feeding, before the tide turned and they all dispersed again.

Lesser and Greater Black-backed gulls were strutting about on the mud flats, patrolling their patch with zeal. Several Common Tern flew up and down the river, often carrying food.

Green Woodpecker called on and off throughout the day, but we only saw one bird.   We had great views of a Great-spotted Woodpecker at one stage too.

Little Egret prowled around the scrapes and along the ditches separating the fields, looking for food.   In the pool there were several Little Grebe.

Having a wash

After lunch we decided to investigate the inland lakes and heath area, before moving back to the river.   Ducks were in eclipse and the females can cause confusion at this time of year, but we managed to get good views of Mallard and Tufted Duck.   A Little Grebe was training it's young in the art of feeding (and making a noise), using contact calls to constantly keep the youngster in line.

As we moved away from the lakes, a Bullfinch flew away from us, perching in a bush just long enough for us to see it was a male, then dipping away, not to be seen again.   As I do not see them often throughout the year, there is always an extra pleasure in getting any sort of view.

From Geedon Bay Hide we found more Redshank and Common Sandpiper, usually they kept just far enough away for us not to be able to get a decent photograph, although I am sure Ken did better than me!

The Lake

At one stage a group of waders flew into the reserve and down into a scrape that was out of our view, so we decided to go and see what they were - definitely not Redshank.   On the way we caught up with Blackbird, Wren, and House Sparrow.

From the viewpoint overlooking the pool we caught up with a group of several Greenshank, and Spotted Redshank.   Great to see, close enough to enjoy and identify, but just a little too far for a photo - again! - story of my life really.

Throughout the day we also saw many butterflies including Gatekeeper (which seem to be the most common around at present), Small White, Red Admiral, Peacock and Speckled Wood.   We also found a wasp-imitating Hover Fly, which I believe to be Volucella inanis - the Yellow-nosed Hoverfly.

Oare Part 2

So just a couple of days after my last visit, I am back in the car park at Oare for this Saturday morning walk with my local RSPB Group.   High tide was due at around 3 pm, and we know from experience that this means that the mud on the Swale will be covered by 1 pm, so we opted to start off on the seawall.

A scan of the slipway revealed curlew, whimbrel and a huge number of Black-headed Gull.   Over the west marshes a male Marsh Harrier hunted, with two white wing tags, unfortunately we couldn't make out any numbered tags.   In the shallow pools Little Grebe fed, Little Egret stalked along the edges, a small group of Mallard were sleeping on one of the small islands and Coot busied themselves, pecking at anything that stayed still long enough.

Curlew

From the Swale a group of around 20 Golden Plover flew over.  Their brilliant golden hues catching the sunlight, then as they turned we had a great view of their black bellies and chests, as only one or two of them were out of their full summer plumage.   We later caught up with them on the East Scrape and they looked stunning.

Turning east-wards, we heard the distinctive "pinging" of Bearded Tit, just where we had seen them on Wednesday.   They were being buffeted about in the wind, but once again after waiting patiently for some while, most of us eventually had fleeting views as they skimmed over the reed beds, trying to stay out of the breeze as much as possible, not quite as good as on the previous visit, but it was a lot more windy today.

From the hide at the end of the creek we saw more Black-headed Gulls, and around 70 Avocet on the mud in front of the hide, these were being chased by the rapidly incoming tide.   A couple of Shelduck were spotted on the far side of the creek, the first I have seen in several weeks, presumably their autumn moult was over.   Moulting flocks of Shelduck can be very large with over 100,000 being counted on occasion on the Wadden Sea alone.   Apparently, most pairs leave their partially grown young in a crèche with just one or two adults.

Faversham Creek at Oare

Reed Bunting was next on our list, once again, the call and the bird being buffeted by the wind, but one tenacious male hung on bravely to his bramble branch.   We found a few Yellow Wagtails feeding in the salt marshes on the edge of the creek, patience was once again needed though, as they weaved in and out of the sea lavender and low marsh plants.

Huge flocks of Black-tailed Godwit flew into the reserve as their feeding grounds were being covered by the tide.   Swallow and House Martin were seen feeding over the water.   From the hide overlooking East Flood (where we took lunch) we had great views of the Godwit, there were over 1,000 birds in all.   Some were still showing a reasonable amount of summer plumage, but the overall hue is now decidedly more muted than a couple of weeks ago.   Mixed in with the Godwit were a good number of Redshank, about a dozen Dunlin - most still sporting their summer black bellies - and a couple of Ruff.   One looking rather tatty as it's summer feathers gave way to the more muted winter coat, the other already in full winter plumage.

Other visitors of note were, Shoveler, Common Gull, Sandwich Tern, a flock of Common Tern flew over catching the light as they banked and swooped over the reserve before deciding to move off along the Swale.   We also noticed an eclipse drake Wigeon.   A Common Buzzard was spotted over the fields as we moved off to the West Hide.

Grey Heron, Mute Swan, Starling, Lapwing, and Greylag Goose were all present as we made our way back to the car park, a few Goldfinch and Linnet

So not really much different from the previous visit, but a delight just the same.

The Sky full of Avocet

Just to finish a great day out Malcolm, Sally, Irene and myself decided to pop into Cliffe on the way home.   Cormorant, Blackbird and Wood Pigeon were slightly out-classed by a huge number of Redshank, Dunlin, over 1,000 Avocet, Black-tailed Godwit, Common Sandpiper, Great-crested Grebe, Little Egret, and the star of the afternoon, a Little Stint.

At one stage the Avocets were flying around, circling over us and their beautiful plumage shone in the sunlight, creating a superb show.

Oare Part 1

Lucky?   Disorganised?  I'll leave you to decide.  A request from Paul for us to go to Oare last Wednesday coupled with a meeting there with my local RSPB Group meant that I had the delights of this KWT site twice in four days.

Always good value, but even I struggled to find enough to make two separate blogs, but here goes.

Knot with Redshank, Black-tailed Godwit,
Dunlin and Greenshank

We saw Black-tailed Godwit, Swallow, Wood Pigeon, Little Egret and Grey Heron before we had got to the car park.   After Malcolm, Sally, Irene and I had met up Paul and Gill we decided to do the usual circuit starting from the slipway.   On the mud there were large numbers of Black-headed Gull and a further scan of the slipway revealed four Curlew, a couple of Whimbrel, two Turnstone, two Little Egret and 22 Ringed Plover.

Cormorant flew over the Swale towards the scrape, then our attention was taken by a small bird which flew into a nearby bush.   We had a female Wheatear, a lovely clean bird looking very smart and ready for her long journey south.   We all had great views in the telescopes before it was time to move on.

Gatekeeper

In the reeds along the sea wall were several Bearded Tit, we could hear them "pinging" from within the reeds, and after waiting patiently we were rewarded with several fleeting views.   It appeared to be a family party with lots of contact calls enabling them to keep in touch.   Although it was windy, it seemed that the juveniles were practising their flight skills taking long forays across the reeds but staying within range of the adults.

Golden Plover

From the hide at the end of the creek were the usual Avocet group, joined today by a few Oystercatchers.

As we moved up the creek, a Skylark was spotted on the track ahead of us.   Three Yellow Wagtails were feeding along the edge of the creek in the marsh plants and sea lavender.

Ruff

From the hide overlooking the scrape there were several Greenshank, many Redshank, a huge flock of Golden Plover (over 100), some Dunlin, a lovely Knot still with some summer plumage showing and Common Sandpiper.   Ruff completed our wader list, one of them bearing some colour rings and a flag, which have been reported in to the relevant authorities.

We also added Moorhen, Coot, Mallard, a male eclipse Wigeon, a couple of Teal and a Garganey.   The latter was not in anywhere near full plumage, and actually flew off before all of us managed to see it well enough to identify.   Malcolm got the best views, I managed to spot it just before it flew, and there were some white markings on the head, but not the usual handsome plumage we would prefer.

Goldfinch flocks flew overhead, with their lovely tinkling calls.   Green Woodpecker, Pheasant, Stock Dove, House Sparrow, Greenfinch, Linnet, Kestrel and Greylag Geese completed our day's list.

So back at Oare in a couple of days - let's see if it is any different . . . .