Dungeness

So with the weather forecast promising some dreadful conditions what's a girl to do at the weekend, but travel for an hour and half to Sussex and then Dungeness to stand on the shingle bank in the howling gale that is springtime in England!

There's nothing finer than standing overlooking The Patch watching common tern just stream into the country - lots of little black heads coming towards you as you gaze into the 'scope - absolutely magical and hypnotic (that's my excuse for standing there so long!)   Some decided to feed up straight away, whilst others felt that some preening was the order of the day.

Over 150 were lined up on the beach, many of them flicking their wings, tail and bills as they tidied themselves up after their long flight, the whole scene was one of constant movement - absolutely fantastic.

Common Tern streaming in

In the feeding group was at least one arctic tern, but it was difficult to keep up with it let alone get Phil onto it [I appreciate my shortcomings!].   Large numbers of gannet were travelling west, as were auks; razorbills or guillemots - so far out it was impossible to judge.  

At one stage four great-crested grebe flew east close to the water, necks outstretched and trying to look like mergansers or divers, brilliant to see so much white on them, you rarely get to see them flying at full pelt on inland waters.   A group of seven bar-tailed godwit flew east.

After longer than we had anticipated, it seemed churlish not to go for a cup of tea to warm up before moving on to the ARC pits and the reserve.  

Warmed and watered we went off to try to see a blue-headed yellow-wagtail which had been reported on the ARC pits and visible from the road.   As we drove along the rain started to fall, so we had to view from the car.   Even with the windows down we were both getting soaked, but at least there were some birds to watch; oystercatcher, redshank, tufted duck, over 10 pied wagtails, and then I spotted a yellow wagtail, unfortunately not the blue-headed we were seeking, but a beautiful sight in any event.

As we watched, we noticed a further two, again yellow wags.   A car in front of us had a huge photographic lens poking out of it, Phil decided to move forward in case the photographer had the blue-headed there.   A great call, because almost immediately he noticed the beautiful blue-headed wagtail in the stubby ground cover.   I have seen the species before, but in the autumn, so I was surprised and delighted to see that this bird had a lovely blue head which caught the light well - there was no mistaking its id.

Common Tern preening on the beach

The rain continued and as we needed a comfort stop we decided to move onto the reserve and see if there was anything else of note about - it would have to be good to keep us out in the worsening weather.  

It would appear that both birds and birdwatchers were of the same mind and very little had been added to the board in the last day or so.

We decided that it would be greedy to expect more of the day and took ourselves off for lunch and an afternoon in front of the footie results.   Forest WON!   Enough said. . .

P.S.  The journey back was horrendous with gale force winds, lashing rain and aquaplaning cars - amazing what we do for the love of birdwatching.

The Wettest Day of the Year . . .

Great, the wettest day of the year so far and it chooses to be a Wednesday, so yet another soaking on the cards.   In view of the forecast we decided to go to Sevenoaks KWT reserve this week, plenty of natural cover to provide shelter and the luxury of hides, tea and toilets, what more could you wish for.

After sitting in the car prevaricating for 15 minutes or so there was no further excuse but to get out there and see what was about.   A quick cup of tea and we were finally off, just as the rain decided to abate slightly.  

Common Tern, Cormorant and Yellow Wagtail

Although lots of birds were calling; blue tit, dunnock, blackbird, robin, the first bird we saw was a song thrush singing away at the top of one of the trees near the car park.   At the viewpoint sand martin, house martin and swallow were hungrily swooping low over the lake - a huge flock which looked like leaves being tossed about in the breeze against the dark trees on the far side of the water.   It was hard to pick out and follow individuals so we just stood watching them fill the sky. 

All the usual suspects were on the ground, greylag, tufted duck, great crested grebe, lapwing, pied wagtail and a very distant ringed plover - not sure if it was little from this distance.   Moorhen, mallard and canada geese were busily feeding, coot joined in, but in a quieter vein there were a couple on nests.

We decided to go to the Tyler Hide to see if we could get a closer view of the plover.   A great move as on the way the heavens opened again.   Once settled we confirmed little ringed plover, and found a total of four in the end.   There were pied wagtail and greylag were shepherding eight goslings around in the long grass on the edge of the reeds.

Wren

Another birdwatcher asked if we had seen a tern, as he had spotted one earlier but could not find it again.   We all scanned the skies and island edges, eventually the same chap re-found the tern, a common tern which was showing just the top of its head as it sat on the far side of one of the islands in front of us.   Gradually, it moved further out into the open and eventually was on full show, a lovely view.   As I watched the tern a yellow flash passed through the view, it was a wagtail, and as that too moved more into the open we realised it was a bright yellow wagtail, strangely looking more yellow than the first view.   [It later turned out that there had been a pair, and I had seen the female first, which had slightly duller plumage- excuses, excuses!]

We spent quite some time here as the rain fell outside, discussing the possible ways to sex a robin [apparently this can only be done in the hand and during the breeding period, where you look for a brood patch on the female and enlarged sexual organs on the male - thanks to Phil for the info]   Lesson one over, and it was back to scanning the lake where a common sandpiper eventually appeared.  

From outside the hide we could hear chiffchaff, great tit, blue tit, and robin.   On the way to the next hide a further song thrush sang.   Further on we found a wren sitting out in the open on a branch with tail cocked and waving it's rear end from side to side.   Looking agitated we kept our distance and eventually it moved off, a further wren was nearby so either aggression or courtship.  

Grey Squirrels building a drey

At the Sutton Hide we decided it was lunch time and as we sat enjoying a further two greylag families (2 and 3 goslings resp.) a swift appeared.   Swooping and diving near to the hide we had great views, this just added to our delight as we watched the rest of the hirundines feeding up after their long journey.   Even in the pouring rain the house martins were chattering away as they fed and drank - such a lovely sound, you sometimes forget in the middle of winter what a great sound they make.  

At the final hide on this lake we had a close encounter with a robin which has taken up residence.   For the last three visits, it has come into the hide virtually begging for food.   On this occasion it was carrying food back to the nest, so hopefully a successful brood (if supplemented by cereal bars and sandwiches).   Three long-tailed tits fed in a nearby bush following a well learned flight path, going back and forth with their contact calls filling the air.

Floating Mallard

Finally we had to move on to our final stop, at the Willow Hide on the other side of the reserve.   Guess what - it started to rain again!   On the field beyond the lake were over 20 wood pigeons with starlings mixed in, a swan covered a nest on the far side of the lake, we also saw magpie, more dunnock, blackbird, a crow and a rather wet and bedraggled grey heron.   Two egypitan geese appeared from behind one of the islands.   Two gadwall flew in and landed close by so that we could examine the vermiculations on the male's neck and chest.  

Oare

I was due to lead a walk at Oare KWT Reserve for my local RSPB Group today.   With the weather recently I was a little doubtful but we were really lucky and the sun shone virtually all day.

I arrived about 8.30 am, so that I had time for a quick recce before the rest arrive for a start at around 10.00 am.    In the car park a whitethroat sang from a nearby tree its beautiful clean white throat catching the light - great for a photograph, but I enjoyed watching so much I couldn't bring myself to find the camera.    A cetti's warbler called nearby.

Golden Plover

There had been a ring ouzel around for the last week or so, but as I had no idea whether it was still there - or whether it would be worth taking the group to look for it.   As it turned out there had been no sighting this morning.   However, when I got to the site there were lovely views of black-tailed godwit in full breeding plumage and a flock of about 20 golden plover again in full plumage with their black fronts showing really well against the mud.   Reed bunting and linnet were paired up and singing from various brambles.   Stock dove fed in the field, flying up onto the concrete blocks regularly to look out.

As I walked back to the car park to meet the rest of the group I saw a whimbrel - my first for the year - in one of the muddy ditches.   As I moved along it flew away and disappeared for the moment.

Black-tailed godwit

17 of us set off, some with lunch, the brave without!   My Dad's words rang in my ear "never get separated from your lunch".   From the slipway we saw black-headed gull, black-tailed godwit, redshank.   Two buzzard and two marsh harrier circled over the Isle of Sheppey, the buzzard were doing their courtship flight with talons coming together as one bird flipped over for a second or two and then back again.

A movement in the long grass by the side of the slipway turned out to be the whimbrel - they seem to prefer this side of the reserve and are often found here.  

Reed and sedge warbler were singing from the reeds inside the seawall, with another cetti's warbler adding to the sounds of the reserve.   Greylag geese had three goslings, and avocet fed on the incoming tide.   Along the side of Faversham Creek we watched little grebe, tufted duck, mallard and more redshank and godwit.   A bearded tit "pinged" past us and dropped into the reeds.   A lone greenshank was standing on the edge of the pool, and as a flock of redshank grew it felt a little intimidated and flew off.   A small ladybird (probably a 24 spot) was found on the path.    Near the sluice a wheatear perched on the top of an anthill.  

Wheatear

Along the south path one of the group spotted a grass snake swimming across the ditch, marsh frogs were making a splash as they mated.   Further along another wheatear appeared, again on an anthill two brilliant sightings of males.   As we arrived at the East Hide four wheatears landed on the ground in front of us giving superb views.   One stayed on a low shrub right in front of us for several minutes - hopefully some great photos taken.

Those of us with lunch tortured the rest as we munched and watched; a late pair of pintail, ruff, pheasant, starling, mediterranean gull, skylark, coot, teal, grey heron, cormorant, gadwall and swallow added to the list. 

minute 24 spot ladybird

All fed and watered and we made our way to the West Hide where we had been told a little owl was viewable.   Unfortunately it had moved by the time we got there, but we had great views of robin and house sparrow.   From the hide we saw shelduck, canada geese, lapwing and another med gull.

On the way back to the road we saw blackbird, green woodpecker, heard song thrush and that magical and most elusive song of a nightingale.   Not yet in full song, but the warming of the throat in the mid-afternoon sun was a real delight to hear.   Can't wait to hear a full song. . . . .

Viewing the East flood from the road a couple of common tern were spotted the whimbrel flew overhead.   Several of us carried on along the eastern sea wall to try for yellow wagtail, but as the heavens opened and hail fell we decided to call it a day and we were soon back at base ready for a very wet journey home.

One for Sorrow, Two for Joy . .

The magpie flock in a tree at Chafford Gorges last week.

Into Essex . . . .

My usual weekday walk took my friends and I to Essex this week, with a trip to a new site at Chafford Gorges Nature Reserve, near to Lakeside Shopping Centre.   Although we knew that it was created from old chalk pits within a settlement built on a brownfield site, we did not really know what to expect.


View over Warren Gorge

To our delight, a warm welcome, the opportunity for a hot drink and cakes, toilet facilities and some shelter from the lashing rain.   However, the nicest surprise was the reserve itself.   A bowl of green within a housing estate with plenty of opportunity for access for local people.   Several large lakes held water birds - a pair of kingfisher, little grebe, great-crested grebe, tufted duck, mallard, coot, moorhen with chicks, greylag and canada geese.   In the shrubby edges we had robin, chiffchaff, blackcap, blue tit, great tit, and a very shy willow warbler.   Corvids were aplenty with over 20 magpie in one tree alone.   Near to the visitor centre chaffinch and dunnock were added to our list.

Despite the rain we had a great time - with some picnic tables in the base of the reserve it gives a great venue.   We only visited one part of it, there are several other areas of woodland and a couple of areas where chalk cliffs are exposed - so plenty of new areas for us to explore on another visit.

Yellow and green on the same plant

We decided to go to Rainham Marshes for lunch and a circuit around the reserve there.   Again the rain caught us several times, but we used the hides and hedges to best advantage.   At the feeders reed bunting joined goldfinch, house sparrow and collared dove.   Wood pigeon and stock dove were also feeding along the side of the path.       Bird of the day was definitely a ruff in partial summer plumage.   With it's dark neck and throat and the beginning of the "ruff" around the chest it was a delight to see, we watched for ages as it fed between reeds at the edge of the pool.   Redshank joined it occasionally so that we could compare the two species.  

Coot and moorhen were on nests, some with young already venturing out on their own.   Some lapwing were settled on nests whilst others were still displaying.   Great tit and robin were both seen in courtship food passing.   Beyond the reserve to the west huge mixed flocks of gulls were on the fields, many were juveniles but almost all were impossible to identify, herring gull, black-headed and lesser black-backed being the three most common. 

Ruff

At least three grey heron were seen during the afternoon, one posing just outside the hide for us - obviously camera-shy though as it moved every time I switched the camera on!  

Grey Heron - the best I could get

As we returned to the centre a couple of swallow flew past as if saluting our resilience.

Riverside Country Park

Today was the first Tuesday walk for my local RSPB Group, and our venue was Riverside Country Park in Gillingham.   As the weather forecast was rather wet (who said that the rains would come once the hosepipe ban came into effect?) only six of us turned up.   Still as we moved from the car park and got some shelter from the bushes we were bouyed up by the incoming tide.  

Redshank, black-headed gull, curlew, oystercatcher and grey plover were settled in the higher parts of the salt marsh with the rain running off their plumage.   We, on the other hand were hoping that our wet weather gear would be equally effective.

Blackcap, great tit, long-tailed tit, green woodpecker, song thrush, and dunnock were calling.   Blackbird and robin were extremely active as they fed along the path ahead of us.   On the high tide line both dunnock and blackbird turned the seaweed over releasing insects to eat.   Chaffinch and goldfinch called from the tops of the trees and showed well.   The highlight however was a black-tailed godwit in almost full summer plumage, absolutely beautiful to see.    A little egret flew off as we rounded a bend and disappeared not to be seen again.

Black-tailed Godwit

Near the shoreline brent geese and shelduck were battling against the rain and the incoming tide, with one great crested grebe sheltering towards the bay at Bloors Wharf.   A peregrine gave great views as it flew overhead and then away from us.    A kestrel completed our birds of prey for the day.   Wood pigeon, collared doves and feral pigeon were collected at the far end of the prom.

Partly for our own protection from the weather and also in the hope of a nightingale we did a circiut of East Rainham Dock.   Again blackcap, dunnock and robin called, but not the elusive nightingale - I don't blame them it was a cold, grey and wet morning.

We re-traced our steps back along the promenade, with the sun coming out and the rain clearing we picnicked with blue skies overhead.  

Shelduck

The day had one last hit - a rain squall as we started out on our afternoon walk, in the opposite direction towads Eastcourt Meadows - but that soon cleared.   Two mediterranean gulls called above us, their almost transparent wings showing well in the bright sky.  

Black-headed gulls and herring gull enjoyed the protection at Sharp's Green, and as we continued along the path, we saw many more blackbird and robin.    On Copperhouse Marshes a colony of black-headed gulls were in residence, with several oystercatchers, mallard and starling sharing this haven, cut off from the mainland.

Finally, we returned to the car park another excellent day out.

Rain, Hail and water everywhere

I had offered to take part in the 2012 Nightingale survey and as I have no idea of the layout of the tetrads I have taken on, it seemed like a good idea to do a recce this week.  

We started along the canal towpath, unfortunately as we started our walk the skies darkened and rain threatened, however, there were lots of birds singing to keep us entertained.   Chiffchaff called from a wire above us, giving us a great opportunity to watch at reasonably close quarters.   Blue tit, great tit, chaffinch, and blackcap were also around us - although the blackcap kept itself hidden within the brambles nearby.

Canal

On the fields magpies, lapwing, moorhen and wood pigeons strutted.   Areas of the canal edges have been cleared to enable a better view of the water, but unfortunately in parts this has removed vital habitat for wildlife, hopefully they are mindful of this and will rotate the clearance responsibly.

This part of the recce over, and with heavy rain falling we moved off to Grain to see if there were any landfall migrants about.   The rain continued as we drove along, and we decided to take an early lunch whilst the clouds cleared.

New Sycamore Leaves

A swallow flew along the coast low down, presumably feeling as hungry as we were.   A blackcap was heard in the distance.  

As the tide was quite a way out we decided to explore the scrub area beyond the seafront first.   Starling and house sparrow were our most numerous bird species, as we moved further inland I noticed a warbler in the alexander plants.   As we watched it came to the top of the plant and revealed itself to be a chiffchaff.  Soon after it burst into song, to confirm the identification.   A local resident wandered along and gave us a birding update - he had recently seen whitethroat and blackcap.   Cetti's warbler had overwintered, and he was pleased to hear that we had seen a swallow from the car park.  

Armed with some advice on the whereabouts of the whitethroat we ventured deeper into the 'park'.   within minutes we had heard the song, and after a bit of detective work we managed to track the individual bird down, a quick flash and it was gone, but at least we had confirmation of its safe arrival - a heartening sight.

Two male blackcaps were great to see with their black crowns shining in the daylight.   Cetti's warbler sang nearby.

As we approached the sea, the rain started to fall again, and we made our hasty departure, counting a rookery of over 80 nests on the way.

We bravely decided to call in at Northward Hill reserve - another soaking and very few birds unfortunately, but Irene did spot some stock doves in a field in front of the viewpoint.

Slimbridge Post Script . . . . .

I forgot to mention the huge rookeries everywhere. Lots of activity, noise and squabbling from large flocks of these strutting corvids.

It was great to watch their interactions.

Willow Warbler and Osprey

I'm down in Bristol for the weekend, and took the opportunity to go to Slimbridge - brimming with other people's 'little darlings' - but if you go to the wilder parts, great for getting close to the birds.

The most notable sighting of the day was an osprey sitting high up in a tree on a country lane, presumably on migration and taking advantage of the numerous fish farms along the Severn Valley. As the car slowed beneath it, the bird took to the wing, but a great close encounter for us - well spotted Kevin!

A Hide

Male Smew

On to Slimbridge, and there were over 300 shelduck on the estuary, with lesser black-backed, black-headed and the odd common gull loafing on the mud banks. Blue tit, great tit, dunnock, and blackbird moved through the hedges as we skirted the fields, and seven snow geese grazed (later flying overhead) interestingly I saw seven snow geese at Dungeness a few weeks ago, and the last report I saw of them was heading west - perhaps the same group trying to gradually work North West?

The highlight for me was hearing willow warbler - hiding from prying eyes in trees just out of view behind scrub, but singing it's heart out. A fantastic sound- delights me every time.

Red Tiger Caterpillar

With mixed feelings about bird collections, I have to admit the best part of the 'world collection' was not South America, or Africa - places I have visited in the past - but our very own 'European collection'. Here I was able to get close to gadwall, pochard, smew, and goldeneye - hearing and watching the male displaying far easier than through the murky light at Cliffe Pools! So, from an educational point of view - it was great.

Where next??

If it's Wednesday it has to be Wiltshire . . . and a long-promised trip to the Great Bustard Project on Salisbury Plain.

A good run down and we were in the car park for our rendezvous in a nearby village with plenty of time to spare.   We were joined by a party of four from Southampton and we climbed into the land rover to be ferried to the viewing hide.   A large area has been set aside for the birds with predator fencing and large areas of the compound ploughed up to provide lekking sites for the Bustard and nesting areas for stone curlew.

There are several decoys planted in the area to entice the returning birds into the protected pen, and two had taken the bait.   A male from last year and a female from a previous year had paired up.   We watched as they strutted about pecking at insects and seeds in the long grass.  

Our guide advised that the Russian Government had committed to sending hatchlings annually for ten years to aid the project and they were now in year 7.   Unfortunately there are only believed to be 8 birds on site (of which we saw 2) and many of the young fledglings bred on the Plain have fallen to predation by foxes.  It is believed that the breeding birds are successful parents and that the young survive to about 8 months, so it must be quite challenging to maintain positivity when the long-term outcome appears to be inevitable.   Four of the birds have flown to the Cherbourg Peninsular and not returned, and a couple of others regularly migrate to the Dorset coast near Abbotsbury when conditions on the Plain in the winter prevent them feeding - these birds generally return.

Although we had primarily come to see the Great Bustard, the opportunity to find a stone curlew presented us with a far greater challenge, as you will know these cryptic birds settle on the ground and become part of the landscape.  They can only be seen when they move.    Luckily for Malcolm, he happened to be looking in the right place at the right time - no skill there then!

We had good views through the telescope when the heat haze cleared and the bird stood up and moved about but when it settled down we had no chance.   A great bird to see though.

As we moved around the site we also saw buzzard, magpie, rook, kestrel, stonechat and corn bunting.

At the end of the trip there was time to buy a momento or join the Great Bustard Group, even some Great Bustard Ale from the local brewery.

The visit lasted about two hours, and we had time to call in at Stonehenge before we returned home.