After missing the opportunity of good weather yesterday, myself and the three Musketeers decided to pop to the Isle of Sheppey to see if we could "twitch" the Common Crane which had been there for several days.
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| Mediterranean Gull with Black-headed Gull |
The added excitement to the pot was the chance to see the former home of Malcolm's family. We got that bit over first so that we could concentrate on the bird watching. A short stroll from the house and from the promenade at Sheerness we found a large flock of gulls, with Common, Black-headed, Herring and Mediterranean - our first of 2013. One of the Herring Gull had a red ring on the left leg, but all the colour-ring schemes I have seen appear to have letters on them and this was not evident from the distance we were at, or from the photos.
Turnstone and Sanderling fed along the high tide line below the concrete sea wall.
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| Photo of the day - Snow Bunting! |
We moved off to Barton Point. This is an area that the rest of them had visited last year, but was a new site for me. Here we had heard there may be Snow Bunting and Twite. Within seconds of arriving on the shingle ridge the birds were in front of us. We had hasty views from the 'scope as a dog walker approached the area. The Twite were flushed and eight flew across the road and far over the country park on the other side of the road. The Snow Bunting stood their ground and gradually moved nearer to us so that we could enjoy great views. Lovely birds and they always cheer me with their beautiful plumage.
We counted 67 Ringed Plover, 5 Great-crested Grebe, and watched the gulls for possible Mediterranean Gull. Further along the shingle the others spotted the Twite again and we had great views.
A hot drink was required so we stopped off at the cafe nearby and enjoyed the wood-burner, tea and birding from the windows. A huge flock of Oystercatcher (or maybe Lapwing - sorry bit of an insider joke) were roosting on the far bank of the lake, Cormorant, Little Grebe, Tufted Duck, Turnstone and Pied Wagtail were seen here.
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| Twite |
Moving on we ended up at Capel Fleet. Before we had even reached the Viewpoint a generous birdwatcher stopped to point us in the direction of the Cranes. They were very distant, but definitely what we had come to see. At one point several of them flew up, did a rather elegant circuit and then landed back next to their companions. Marsh Harriers appeared in ever direction. At one stage I saw three females in one telescope view. A couple of males and several more females further away probably gave us a total of 10 or 11 for the day. I spotted a Ring-tail but couldn't get anyone else onto it. Malcolm also saw a male Hen Harrier.
As I scanned the area near the Cranes, I spotted a large flock of White-fronted Geese, the bright white on their faces was catching the light - giving the only hint as to their identity -
they were a long way off!
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| Common Cranes |
Huge numbers of Mute Swan were in the nearby fields with one group totalling over 80. Back in the Crane area a group of three Bewick Swans were discovered by Malcolm later he also found a Great White Egret, which we all saw as it flew away from us. Fieldfare, Chaffinch, Little Egret, Black-headed Gull, Greater Black-backed Gull, Common Gull and Kestrel were seen by members of the group.
Red-legged Partridge were highlighted by Sally, and Corn Bunting sang from their usual roost sight along the road - a large tangle of brambles.
A lovely day out with some great birds.
