Allhallows - week 2

A bright and sunny day on the North Kent Coast - the decision aided by a huge traffic jam which made travel via the A2 impossible in any direction!

Strolling towards the seawall was great with male Marsh Harrier hunting, a Raven 'cronking' and a Kestrel hovering.

Marsh Harrier

As the tide was rising it was a race to get to the Egypt Bay roost before it was too late, but we did pretty well, with large numbers of duck - mainly Shelduck and Wigeon - Brent Geese, Grey Heron and Cormorant.

Raven

With the tide nearing its zenith waders started to move and there were huge flocks of Knot, Dunlin and Black-tailed Godwit with Redshank, Grey Plover, Oystercatcher and Turnstone mixed in.

Rock Pipit fed along the waters edge, at least three pairs of Stonechat were noted along the seawall, long with Linnet and Meadow Pipit.

Rock Pipit

After a quick lunch (sheltered from the wind) the tide was dropping and a return to Allhallows seemed the best option.   As the shallow water quickly receded, there were large flocks of waders, ducks and geese gathering on the beach below the caravan park, so we headed off to see if we could add to our days sightings.

Mixed Waders

Not long to wait as the birds were feeding frantically on the newly uncovered sand.   Curlew, at least ten Ringed Plover, a few Avocet and yet more Knot were mixed in with increasing numbers of mixed waders and waterfowl.

Week 1 Rainham

On a freezing January day Rainham gave a few good reasons to get out to enjoy the delights of wildlife yet again.

Welcome to Rainham!

Teal by the scrape

Little Egret looking for food

The birds weren't the only creatures delighting us - although the Shrew could at least have had a pulse!

Recently deceased and hopefully something took advantage of this small morsel

Then the dilemma - if it were a water vole then everyone would be delighted and coo, but it isn't, so how do you feel about another of natures creatures taking advantage of the fallen seeds?

Brown Rat

But the final thrill of the day went back to our avian friends and a Barn Owl quartering across the fields looking for food.   It attracted the attention of some other birds too - here's the Owl defending itself against Magpie.

Spot the Barn Owl! Lol

So all in all a great day, just shows how good wildlife is for us!

Old Habits Die Hard!

Birding on January 1st has been a given for the last 30 years or more - harder now than ever as the rigours of Christmas and the associated late nights and (dare I say) alcohol take their toll!

Sanderling by the roadside

Shellness gave an excellent reason to make the effort, with a rising tide pushing a huge number of waders up towards us and their high tide roost.   Timing was spot on and the birds performed brilliantly.

Turnstone fed on the beach within feet of us, Ringed Plover, and a very obliging Sanderling joined in - the latter vying with Pied Wagtail as it pecked around on the roadside.   Over the fields in the distance there were several Marsh Harrier and one Ring-tail - despite best efforts I couldn't get anyone else onto it and it did not re-appear sadly. :-(

Walking along the seawall towards Shellness from Leysdown gave an excellent opportunity to watch as the birds were pushed up towards us.   Brent Geese started to gather, Bar-tailed Godwit, Curlew, Oystercatcher and huge number of Knot were mixed in with Dunlin and the occasional Grey Plover. 

Oystercatchers gathering

By the time we got to Shellness the tide was virtually in but the last vestiges of mud flats held more concentrated numbers of waders.   They were busily feeding and allowed us to get quite close.   Several pairs of Stonechat were seen, the males appearing to take the higher perches on last year's dead seed heads, whilst the females stayed closer to the ground.

Mixed waders at the high tide roost - Oystercatchers in greatest number

Continuing to the end of the spit we found an area where ducks were gathered, mainly Shelduck, but there were a few Teal and the occasional Wigeon too - great to hear their whistling call across the marshes.

A Kestrel spent some time watching as we approached, perching on a post and occasionally giving a glance back before finally deciding we were getting just a little too close and flying off to land just feet inside the protected area.

Kestrel

Back at Leysdown for lunch and some time to scan the sea - the highlight being around a dozen Red-throated Diver.   

Off to Capel Fleet for some Marsh Harriers, we had around seven swirling around coming in to roost as the rain started and so it was time to head home.

Great start to the year!