Cliffe in the Sunshine

This week our usual weekly walk took us to Cliffe.      We were met with a cacophany of sound from the Black-headed Gulls on the first pool, where there were also Tufted Duck, Great Crested Grebe, Coot and Canada Geese.   From the bushes and trees around the car park and along the first part of our walk were there several Blackcap, Dunnock - with a least one family group found, Wren, Woodpigeon, Magpie and Whitethroat.   Stock Dove was pointed out by Irene as it called from the Pinnacle area.   As Sally and I tried to video a stunning male Blackcap as it sang from the top of a bush, Irene and Malcolm were watching a Mediterranean Gull which had announced its arrival overhead.   Meadow Brown, Holly Blue, Red Admiral and Common Blue Butterflies were seen as we continued our walk.   Goats Rue and Dog Rose were in full flower, with Creeping Cinquefoil, Eyebright and Hounds Tongue also identified.   Malcolm showed Irene and I how to identify Perforate St Johns Wort - with small perforations in the leaves which show will when you use an eyeglass!

Singing Male Blackcap

We continued along the path between the pools and heard Chiffchaff and Goldfinch.   A Blackbird alarmed as we continued along and a Nightingale shot across the path in front of us.   A Wren called from the depths of a bramble and mimicked part of Yellowhammer call within its repertoire.    Overhead Common Tern, Swallow and Skylark were seen and heard and a group of four Avocet were mobbing corvids ferociously, as presumably they had young nearby which were under threat.   Shelduck loafed around at the end of Flamingo pool, with a large number of Avocet, including several youngsters, and Oystercatchers.   A Meadow Pipit displayed as we neared the seawall, and a couple of Linnet flew ahead of us.

Holly Blue Butterfly

We had our lunch stop in the shelter of the seawall watching the tide come in, and piecing together the landmarks on the Essex side of the Thames.   After a well-earned rest we were off again to continue our circuit.    Along the way we managed to add a few more species to our list for the day including Crow, Kestrel, Stock Dove seen rather than heard, Starling, Greenfinch, a stunningly handsome male Stonechat, Marsh Harrier, Hobby and Pheasant.   Little Grebe squealed from one of the ditches running alongside the path.   Marsh Frogs croaked and Emperor Dragonfly and Blue-tailed Damselfly were also identified.

From the Black Barn area we added to our wader list with Greenshank, Redshank, Black-tailed Godwit and lapwing.   Ducks on one of the deeper pools included Teal, Gadwall, and more Tufted Duck.     A female Reed Bunting called our attention as we were enjoying a family of Greenfinch which were feeding along the side of the path ahead of us.

Avocet Mobbing Corvids

The final part of the path gave us a brilliant show of Swift and Swallow - both in large numbers, and the occasional House Martin.   Curlew and Whimbrel, Little Egret, and the explosive call of the Cetti's Warbler helped us on our way back to the car.   The final addition was the sight of a family of Blue Tit.

Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve

Twenty-one of us joined Malcolm and Sally for this Tuesday walk at the ever-popular wildlife reserve at Sevenoaks.   From the car park we could hear Chiffchaff and Robin singing away enjoying the morning sunlight.   Willow Warbler and Garden Warbler were heard by the leading group, with Wren, Magpie and Jay added in quick succession by us all.    Willow seeds were blowing around on the breeze - an excellent display of seed distribution!

Common Spotted Orchid

A scan of the water from the small viewpoint added several water birds to our list, including Canada Geese, Greylag Geese, Tufted Duck, Coot - with two still on nests - and Mute Swan.   A Song Thrush delighted us with its song, phrases being repeated two and three times making it easy to point out to everyone.   We are now experts!     Chaffinch called from perches in the trees and bushes as we continued our walk.   A black and yellow Longhorn Beetle intrigued us and Common Spotted Orchid and Figwort delighted us.   A family of Blue Tits with several young, "seeped" from their hiding places, keeping contact and reassuring each other as we passed by.   Malcolm pointed out sawfly galls on the willows, where bright red lumps appear as the gall develops.

Figwort

Our education was also expanded by finding Banded Demoiselle, Small Red-eyed Damselfly and Small Tortoiseshell Caterpillars.     A Grey Squirrel ran along branches above us sending birds off in fright.   Near one of the hides we found both Blackcap and Dunnock families.    The Blackcaps were rather secretive, with the youngsters huddled low down on a branch almost covered by grass, whilst the female looked on and the male ferried food back and forth to his young family.   The Dunnock on the other hand were sitting in a bare bush preening, with their parents keeping a watchful eye.

Red Admiral, Small White and Speckled Wood Butterflies were added by some and as we continued there were the distinctive "cigar-shaped" rolls of nettle leaves, which are the hiding place for Mother of Pearl Moth caterpillars.   Nettle Tap Moths were also quite numerous around the reserve - once we  saw one, we realised there were many of them around.

Nettle Tap Moth

From the main hide overlooking the largest lake we watched Pied Wagtail with their chick, Little Ringed Plover, Lapwing, Mallard, Grey Heron, Cormorant, Egyptian Geese and Great Crested Grebe.   We also found a dead mole - but the less said about that the better . . . .

Rye Harbour Phase 2

Twice in four days?   Well Rye Harbour is a very special place for wildlife of all sorts.

The sightings in the car park were Herring gull, Starling and Goldfinch.   As we walked along the footpath we noted Salsify, Slender Thistle, Sea Kale and Yellow Horned Poppy in flower.   A couple of hairy moth caterpillars caught Malcolm's attention, Brown Tailed and Oak Eggar - further along we found another, the Pale Grass Eggar.   Our non-avian list rumbled along as we added Small Copper, Common Blue and Painted Lady butterflies.

Pale Grass Eggar

In the avian world however, it was a hectic whirl of parenting and defending nests which just makes our species look like amateurs.   Little Tern nests were being threatened by Rooks, Common Terns joined in the mobbing in an attempt to protect the youngsters.   Black-headed Gulls squawked away making a cacophonous din, constantly calling to each other, their chicks and their neighbours.   Often a chick or adult would get the geography a little wrong and what appeared to be vicious pecking and kicking would be called for until the interloper found its rightful nest and order was restored.

Painted Lady on Valerian

A group of Cormorants enjoyed peace on their own island drying their wings in the sunshine.   One adult was trying to encourage its fledgling to feed, and repeatedly dived then surfaced until the youngster got the message.   Three Little Egret hunted for small fish along the edges of the pools, keeping out of the main areas of contention.

Away from the water we heard a Cuckoo calling and found Wheatear families (potentially two) with adult males feeding fledglings which constantly begged for food.   We also found a male Linnet dutifully feeding its young.  Both species were encouraging their young to fend for themselves - but with what appeared to be little success.

A Ringed Plover was hunkered down in the shingle viewable from the new hide near Lime Kiln Cottage, it didn't move all the time we watched, so could be on a nest.   Several Avocet were adopting a similar pose.

Blurry, but a Skylark singing on high!

Several Mediterranean Gulls were on nests and we saw one chick which was preening by an adult.   The Common Terns were raising young too with at least four families viewable with young fluffy spotty chicks.  One family appeared to be reliant on one parent and hid behind a stone until food arrived.  Not the best of circumstances as when one of the chicks ventured out from its cover it got a vicious peck and head bashing from another adult Tern.    A second nest had a parent standing guard whilst its mate collected food, in the third chick was happily snuggled under mum or day and poked its head out from under the adult's wing every now and then to see how the neighbours were doing.   Other birds appeared to be sitting on nests and one couple looked as if they were still scraping out a nest, so there could be more young on the way.

Common Tern

A Great-crested Grebe and Little Grebe were also noted amongst the other occupants of the Ternery Pool which included Tufted Duck, Mallard, Greylag Geese with young, and a large contingent of Sandwich Terns.

On our return journey Sally spotted a couple of Stock Dove feeding in the shingle ridges and a Hobby shot through with some Swallows.

Happy Birthday Phil

I had a great day in Rye with Phil on Sunday.   The weather was kind most of the day.   After cups of tea and birthday gifts we went off to Pett Levels for a walk.   This is where the "most of the day" came in as the heavens opened and heavy rain fell.

We decided to go to the shelter of one of the hides in the nearby reserve.   The list of birds came thick and fast, giving me a great opportunity to use the new BirdTrack app!   Amongst those birds seen were Canada Geese, Greylag, Gadwall, Grey Heron, Cormorant, Coot, Common Tern, Coot, Moorhen, Lapwing, Ringed Plover, Mallard, Mediterranean Gull, Black-headed Gull, Mute Swan, Oystercatcher, Redshank, Shoveler and Tufted Duck.   A large number of Swift fed over the water, and several Swallow were also spotted.

On nearby fields Woodpigeons fed amongst the deer.   Around the hide we heard Sedge and Reed Warbler in the reedbeds alongside the ditches and scrape and saw a Reed Bunting.   On the way back for lunch we found Stock Dove and Pheasant in the fields.

Back home and the benefits of living in the middle of a field are always a delight for me - the place is absolutely surrounded by birds!   From the kitchen window we watched the feeders where Bullfinch, Chaffinch, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Collared Dove, Blue Tit, Greenfinch, Blackbird, Song Thrush,  Dunnock, Goldfinch, Magpie and Nuthatch took advantage of the goodies available.  

A pair of Marsh Harrier hunted over the reedbeds, and we were lucky enough to see a food exchange.   A female Sparrowhawk shot past right in front of us, but immediately disappeared.

The weather improved so we took off to Rye Harbour for a wander.   Many birds were repeats of this morning's sightings, but we also added some great species.   Walking down the path we had Rock Pipit displaying, with Skylark also singing from high up.   Three Wheatear were spotted from the hide along with Little Tern calling overhead.   As we continued following the river Lesser and Great Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, a hovering Kestrel and a couple of Linnet were added.  

From the scrape we had huge numbers of Black-headed Gulls with a few Mediterranean thrown in for good measure.   One of the islands had about 20 Sandwich Terns, it was hard to tell if they were on nests, but a few of them did appear to be quite hunkered down - so lets hope so.   Cormorants were grouped on the far side of the water, and a lone Little Egret rested on the edge.  

Walking back through the caravan park I noticed what I thought were two Stock Doves on the ground, just as I started to say it though, I realised that I was wrong - one was a Woodpigeon and the other was a Cuckoo.   Great to see one in the open, but sitting on the ground was not where I would have expected one!

A fantastic Curry for dinner in Rye topped off with a House Martin made my day, and the App performed brilliantly - no keying in, just pressed "upload" and the whole day's sightings were submitted in a second.

p.s my first Cream Spot Tiger Moth of the year also noted.

Stodmarsh

A trip to Stodmarsh this week with the usual Wednesday crew, proved to be a great success.   The highlight, and the last sighting of the day, being great views of an Osprey hunting over the lakes, but more of that later.

The reedbeds which had been cut during the winter have regrown and bird song in the woodland was varied and surrounded us as we started out from the car park.   Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Wren and Robin all sang well.   A Great Spotted Woodpecker "chipped" in the background.   The usual friendly Robins were not in their usual place - presumably they were too busy with their nests/young to hang about waiting for passing provisions.

Shield Bugs mating

As we emerged towards the wetland areas Sedge and Reed Warbler sang from within the reedbeds, keeping out of the windy weather.   From the hide we watched a families of Coot, Greylag Geese, and Mallard.   We had huge numbers of Swift feeding over the water, with a couple of Swallow and at least one House Martin joining in.   Just as we commented on the lack of Hobby, one was spotted.   Marsh Harriers were in the air virtually all day with a couple of females and a male hunting over the reedbeds and fields.

A Gadwall pair kept to the quieter waters, and several Lapwing were loafing around the muddy edges, a little too relaxed to be breeding birds we decided.   Large flocks of Starling and Jackdaw were disturbed by the warden and colleagues walking through the fields.   A Common Tern made regular circuits of the ditches and lakes looking for fish.

Ragged Robin

Wild Celery Apium graveolens (thanks to Sally for the ID) grew alongside the track, and a gall which grows on oak catkins was found, much to Malcolm's delight.

We made our way back to the car for a relaxing drink before we started homeward.   Malcolm noticed that the Osprey reported the previous day, had been seen again earlier today, so off we went to look for it.

From the hide we watched more Swift feeding and a Grey Heron standing motionless in the pool before us.   Then in the distance Malcolm spotted the distinctive flight and colouring of a hunting Osprey - my first in Kent ever, and a real treat.   We watched for ages as it was mobbed by Crows, soaring high over the hillsides and then returning back to hunt over the lake.   A great end to a good day out.

Osprey

Old Hall Marshes

Ken and I went off to Old Hall Marshes yesterday, leaving Pam at home preparing an excellent Rick Stein spicy Shepherds Pie!

A great day with lots of singing Reed and Sedge Warbler, Cettis, Reed Bunting, Dunnock, Blackcap, and the occasional Whitethroat were enjoyed.   

Sedge Warbler

A fine male Marsh Harrier hunted all day giving us some lovely (if distant) views.   A flock of probably 75 Starling were disturbed by the harrier with regular occurence throughout the day. 

We were accompanied by  Skylark singing and diving in their display flight all day long.

Reed Bunting

Cormorant, Coot, Tufted Duck, Pochard, Black-headed Gull, Canada and Greylag Geese and at least ten Shelduck were enjoying the safety of the scrapes.   A single Common Tern flew over as we neared the sea wall, where several Oystercater and three Grey Plover were feeding.   A few Lapwing stood around on the salt marshes and the marshy fields, but there was no apparent indication of nesting.

Non-avian species included Small Heath Butterfly, many Common Blues, several (as yet unidentified) damselfly, Solitary Bee and Hoverfly.

Small Heath

All in all a great day out, topped off with that delicious dinner.

Thanks to Pam and Ken for another lovely few days. 

8 Miles at Knole

From the title you'd might think I have been on a route march - but no, just a simple outdoor meeting with my local RSPB Group which took us on two circuits of this excellent part of Kent.

Greater Celandine

First birds on the list were a pair of Ring-necked Parakeets, with a further five within the park itself.   We found Greater Celandine along the footpath.  Among the highlights were once again, Skylark singing well over the rough grassland, several Yellowhammer calling and with some patience seen well by all, and Wren which are obviously far more interested in protecting their territories than their identities at this time of year - I don't remember ever having such great views of them as I have in the last week.

Stock Dove and Swallow were along the Duchess Walk, and a Pied Wagtail juvenile fed with a parent close by.   Mistle Thrush were seen near where we had found them a couple of weeks ago and Blackcap sang well all day.   We did find some Whitethroat, Greenfinch and a Great Spotted Woodpecker nest.

Redstart

Highlight was by far hearing and seeing Common Redstart which everyone enjoyed.

Feeling the heat at Hothfield

A great day out today with the usual band of walkers.   It started a little overcast, and quite cool, but as the day wore on it cleared and blue sky and sunshine warmed us well.

This was good news as we had chosen to go to the bogs and heathland at KWT's Hothfield Heath and without some sun it would be a little quiet.

Cotton grass in the Bog

Our bird list was healthy with the stars of the show (for me) being at least five singing Yellowhammer.   During the day we saw a couple of Wren which were very bravely singing from the top of exposed saplings - most unlike their usual demeanour.

Singing birds were the speciality of the day, and without some knowledge we would have been stumped.   We also saw a good range of birds well, including Chiffchaff, Robin, Song Thrush, Blackbird, Chaffinch, Whitethroat, Green Woodpecker, Great Tit, Linnet, Reed Bunting, Goldfinch, and Willow Warbler.

Round-leaved Sundew

At one stage we had Swift, Swallow and House Martin feeding low over the trees where the insects were probably at their densest.   A Common Buzzard circled overhead, being mobbed by a half-hearted Carrion Crow.   Magpie, Jackdaw and several Jay added to our Corvid collection.   Several Mistle Thrush were spotted by Malcolm.

A Reed Bunting was chipping away from the top of a sedge in the middle of one of the bog areas, and as we continued around the Reserve we found nest sites of Blackcap, Blue Tit, Jay, and Great Spotted Woodpecker.

Yellowhammer

A rather energetic pair of pheasant were flirting and attempting to mate half way up a rather large but obviously inadequate tree.   Every time both birds landed on the same branch they came tumbling towards the ground, entertaining to see but probably not the best way to ensure survival of the species.

A Garden Warbler sang beautifully almost duetting with a Blackcap and causing us some confusion.

Birds were not the only delight today, and with its bog specialities Hothfield always tests our knowledge and memories!

Small Copper Butterfly

Lousewort, Round-leaved Sundew, Dwarf and Common Gorse and a rather small bedstraw which needs more investigation, as does a rather small sorrel.

Butterflies seen included Large White, Orange Tip, Common Blue, Small Copper and we also noted Scorpion Fly, Banded Demoiselle, Broad-bodied Chaser, Large Red Damselfly and Azure Damselfly

Skeggy

I've just spent the last few days with a friend and her two boys in Skegness.   This was a real "re-visit the past" moment for me, as my first 18 years' holidays were generally taken here (with the odd foray to Mablethorpe, Hunstanton, Ingoldmells, and mid-Wales).

Sadly not wild, but I couldn't resist
taking a snap or three (actually about 30
but with digital it's easy to delete . . 

The last time I returned was about 15 years ago, and it was a rather sad place - a typical seaside town badly in need of income and development.   This time I was delighted to see that they have gone full circle and it is now once again, a thriving "resort" which was not that dissimilar to my childhood memories.   The seafront has been developed and has bright new buildings housing the same amusement arcades and food outlets.   The main street is full of both national and local shops, and you could still find candy floss, rock and kiss me quick hats - so many happy memories were re-lived.

"our" Bunny

"Our" guest house is still there, but the pub garden where I remember hearing Lola played over and over again in the summer of 1970 has now been built on.

The beach is still a wide beautiful sandy area just made for football and other beach games.

Beachcombing along this coast is great, I still remember having the yearly challenge with Dad on who could find the smallest most perfectly formed shell - some of them are still in a dish at home.   This year we did wander along a nearby beach and collected shells and were amazed how many starfish had been stranded along the high tide line.

Gorgeous eyes

Our accommodation was a modern lodge caravan - quite an improvement on the 4 berth 'vans of old - on a purpose built park, and although on the face of it you wouldn't expect a great deal of wildlife here, we were greatly impressed.

Young rabbits came close enough for photos - encouraged by our feeding them carrots, celery and cucumber each day.   Skylark were displaying and appeared to be nesting in the long grass which has so far been left next to our plot, Starlings, Kesstrel and Mistle Thrushes were also a daily sighting here.

Barney

Between each of the "avenues" of caravans were small ponds with landscaped areas and waterfalls.   The rabbits hae claimed the waterfall foundation as a purpose built warren.   On the water we saw Canada Geese, Greylag Geese, Moorhens - with at least 10 chicks, Mallard - with up to 7 chicks.

The boys loved the wildlife, and I had a nostalgic trip.