Elmley Marshes

Sorry for lack of posts, this has been mainly due to carpal tunnel syndrome (in both hands). Anyway on to this report. 

Yesterday with bright sunshine I went to Elmley Marshes RSPB Reserve hoping to see the Long Eared Owls (for which there is a sign) and the Humming-Bird Hawk-Moth which had been seen there by friends of mine. As always a short note about the venue, Elmley Marshes is off the A249 and clearly signposted from a junction just before the bridge to Sheppey. Facilities include a car park for about 20 cars and a toilet. There is a 2 mile drive through the reserve to the car park which is usually quite fruitful, but it is forbidden to exit your car on the drive, though you are welcome to stop and use your car as a hide. Dogs are not allowed on the reserve. Yesterday I only used my Canon 400D + 100-400mm Lens.On the drive to the car park I saw Lapwings, Starlings, House Sparrows, Yellow Wagtails, a Sky Lark, a Little Egret, a Marsh Harrier, and a Heron whilst Swallows, Pied Wagtails and Moorhens awaited me in the car park.

Yellow Wagtail on drive

A look over the first lake from the toilet block gave Coots, BH Gulls, Oystercatchers, a Dabchick, a Green Sandpiper, a Great Crested Grebe, and some more Lapwings and Yellow Wagtails. Still on the farm by the Orchard I found the sign for the Long Eared Owls, but they were a no-show, however whilst there I did get to see a single Humming-Bird Hawk-Moth, sadly it did not hang around, unlike the Small Whites, Green Veined Whites, Gatekeepers and Red Admirals. 


Red Admiral



Gatekeeper



The lake at the bottom of the hill had a very low water level and the only addition to the list was a couple of Redshanks and Avocets, whilst the walk to the Wellmarsh Hide provided a few sightings of Sedge Warblers and a Reed Warbler (though I only saw its back), some Mallards and a large number of Meadow Browns and Small Skippers. 

Small Skipper


From Wellmarsh Hide could be seen Avocets, Black Tailed Godwits, a Wigeon family (which had me foxed for ages due to very odd plumage all round), singletons of Spotted Redshank, Ringed Plover, Ruff and Common Tern. With the exception of the Avocets, they were all at the far end of the Lake so not photographable. Fortunately I had one poser with which I went click happy (100 plus photos), what surprised me was it looked so young and yet there were no adults caring for it, do the adult Avocets abandon their young so soon?

Young Avocet

Counterwall Hide had a Common Sandpiper, another Ruff and some more Avocets, whilst distant scans with the scope picked out Turnstone, Shelduck, Greylag and Canadian Geese, also a Buzzard which was gliding into the stiff breeze to remain almost stationary.

Ruff

The return to Wellmarsh Hide revealed some Reed Buntings (which I had heard but not seen earlier) and a Sedge Warbler who appeared to take my clicking shutter for a potential mate. With every click, he gave a verbal response and edged nearer with his "bug" offering. I eventually had to turn him down.

Sedge Warbler with gift

The trek back to the Car Park gave mainly butterflies, though the wind was too strong for photographing them, I added a solitary Peacock to the butterfly list. I also found what I believe is a Red-Veined Darter.

(I believe) a Red Veined Darter

One last look at the lake behind the toilets revealed a Wood Sandpiper, whilst opposite the orchard I found another youngster ambling along.

A young Hedgehog

Despite not seeing the Spoonbills or Owls it was an excellent day for me, 46 birds (missed from report are Carrion Crow, Wood Pigeon, Blackbird, Goldfinch, Sand Martin, Mute Swan, Dunnock, Tufted Duck, Collared Dove and Meadow Pipit), a large number of butterflies and dragonflies (missed from report is Common Blue Damselfly) and a young hedgehog.   

 

Hemsted Forest

I was initially attracted to drive out to Hemsted Forest by a bird list which I had seen on KOS that had a number of species on it which I had not seen yet this year, secondly I had never been there before and it reached out to my exploring nature, so off I went arriving about 1pm.  Hemsted Forest is situated in West Kent, not too far from Sissinghurst, the Public car Park of which is at the South end of the Forest near Benenden. The facilities are limited to a smallish car park, probably take about 30 cars maximum and that’s about it, though the main paths are well marked being about 10 feet wide and made of packed earth and rock. From the car park I made my way along the main route and in a short space of time came across some Comma’s who were, despite the coolish weather, reluctant to settle.



Comma - Polygonia c-album - Canon 400D +100-400mm



After a while I turned right down a side track to take me deeper into the forest which is where I came across some what I believe to be Meadow Browns and a Ringlet, the former refusing to stop still with wings open and the second refusing to stop with its wings closed! They were more active than the Comma’s!

(I believe a) Meadow Brown - Maniola jurtina - Canon 400D +100-400mm



(I believe a) Ringlet - Aphantopus hyperantus - Canon 400D +100-400mm

Another couple of left turns brought me out onto a slightly wider path where I found some White Admirals, a butterfly I had never seen before.

White Admiral - Limenitis Camilla - Canon 400D +100-400mm

Well what about the birds? Amazingly I only saw a Robin, a couple of Carrion Crows and a Wren. There was some Tits calling from the upper canopy deep in the woods that I never saw, and occasionally the odd call from the depths of the Forest, but nothing near me and nothing that I recognised (must practice more with bird calls). Perhaps it was the time of day, perhaps the time of year, or perhaps the gallon of insect repellent I had sprayed myself with. There was more to see though. It was after I realised that I was lost that I came across this chap, a Common Toad I believe.

A Common Toad - Canon 400D + 100-400mm

I decided to expand my new interest in Flora, first there was a small group of Foxgloves near where the Toad was seen, then a little further on this white flower stood out from all the surrounding greenery. I have identified it as a White Musk Mallow, please correct me (as with all my identifications) if I am wrong.



A White Musk Mallow - Canon 400D + 100-400mm



A White Musk Mallow - Olympus SP590UZ



Thankfully I came across someone walking their dog who pointed me in the right direction which took me past a glade where two Southern Hawkers were, however they were constantly on the move and I was unable to get a picture. Despite my bird count of 3 (how embarrassing is that?) I enjoyed the walk and intend to return for an evening stroll soon and perhaps catch a bit more bird activity.

Blean Woods

 

I know very little about Butterflies other than what I learnt as an infant, which was to know 4 types of Butterfly, namely “a Cabbage White”, “a Red Admiral”, “a Peacock” and “ it’s another type of Butterfly”. With the bird activity dropping off I decided to take advantage of “A Heath Fritillary Walk” arranged by the RSPB at Blean Woods last Sunday. A gentleman by the name of Michael was the lead on this and before we set off he explained that the Heath Fritillary’s were early this year, so the walk was to be more of a general Butterfly walk, this was all the better for me. The weather was very hot and sunny, better than the rain earlier in the week but it did mean that most Butterflies were constantly on the move. This together with the shade of overhanging trees cutting the light level, made decent photography quite difficult (and that’s my excuse for the blurry shots such as this open wing shot of a Heath Fritillary).



Melitaea athalia - Heath Fritillary

  - Canon 400D + 100-400mm

Michael fairly quickly showed that he knew his stuff, at the very first glade he was pointing out butterflies faster than I could keep up with. Within a few moments a Red Admiral, some Ringlets, a coupe of Small Skippers and a Large White had gone past, but other than the Red Admiral and a Ringlet I didn’t get a decent look at any of them and only this Ringlet waited around for their photo to be taken.
  


Aphantopus hyperantus - Ringlet

  - Olympus SP590UZ

 After the first glade we went on a bit of a trek, eventually turning onto an old Bridle path where I was introduced to the Common Spotted Orchid. I cannot remember having seen this plant before though I must have.


Dactylorhiza fuchsii - Common Spotted Orchid

  - Olympus SP590UZ

 A bit further down the path we were shown Cow-Wheat, another plant unknown to me, but significant for the Heath Fritillary as its eggs are laid on the underside of its leaves. Then we found some mating Heath Fritillaries who were happy to sit still for camera; unlike the grass stem they were on and the intervening grass which was whipping around in the stiff, breeze.

Melitaea athalia - Heath Fritillary

  - Canon 400D + 100-400mm

Melitaea athalia - Heath Fritillary (a 3rd one tries to interfere)

  - Canon 400D + 100-400mm

The bridle path had a fair few butterflies along the route, the main three being Heath Fritillaries, Small Skippers and Ringlets, also a Common Blue fluttered past. There were a few moths keeping mainly to the trees and a huge insect with a flash of orange on it, it was about 4cm long, possibly a Hornet or a Humming-Bird Hawk Moth, sadly my photos just show a blur as it was on the move all the time and was about 20 feet away. Throughout the walk Michael had been explaining about the various butterflies found at Blean, their life cycles and how they cope with adverse weather conditions. Michael was both informative and interesting and I really appreciate what he did.

Melitaea athalia - Heath Fritillary

  - Canon 400D + 100-400mm

Melitaea athalia - Heath Fritillary

  - Canon 400D + 100-400mm

 There was not much bird activity, the usual Tits and Willow Warblers were heard as was a Pheasant and a Green Woodpecker, but as I was trying to concentrate on learning about Butterflies the only positive sightings I made were some Long Tailed Tits, a Jay and a Green Woodpecker. Later at home I read up on the Heath Fritillary in my 1986 Readers Digest and was surprised at its rarity, Blean Woods being shown as one of only 3 places it could be found.  



Aphantopus hyperantus - Ringlet

  - Canon 400D + 100-400mm



Thymelicus sylvestris - Small Skipper

  - Canon 400D + 100-400mm

Home was also the place for the final photo of the day, an Orange Moth f. corylaria which flew into the kitchen, Wendy reunited it with the outside world via a blue beaker (2^nd shot).



1924 Orange Moth Angerona prunaria f. corylaria

  - Olympus SP590UZ



Orange Moth - clearer shot of Antennae

  - Olympus SP590UZ



Oare Marshes

Yesterday I had intended to go to Dungeness, but due to the changeable weather I opted for Oare Marshes instead. I arrived just before noon and was greeted with the sound of a distant Cuckoo, I made my way up to the river bank and looked out over the estuary to see the tide going out. I scanned the whole stretch for waders – not a single one, however Black Headed Gulls littered the exposed mud with a couple of Herring Gulls in the distance. I heard some warblers off to my left so headed that way first. There was a bank of Reeds in which two were singing from, but none showing, then a third started from my left, he had chosen an isolated plant to sing from which showed him in plain sight. Out with the Canon, however the heavy cloud cover gave very poor light and the wind was strong enough to knock the tripod over, which it almost managed a couple of times. These were the best of the lot. I believe it is a Sedge Warbler (please correct me if I am wrong).



Sedge Warbler - Canon 400D + 100-400mm

Bludgeoned by the wind for 15 minutes watching the Sedge Warbler I turned round and headed East looking for some shelter in or behind the Sea Wall Hide, on the walk there I saw some Shelducks on the Sheppey shore and a Common Tern fishing along the waters edge nearest me, there were also a couple of Oystercatchers and an Avocet on the mudflats near the hide. On the East flood side of the path a few Reed Buntings flew by and I heard both Sedge and Reed Warbler, eventually finding a Reed Warbler in the distant reeds. In the high wind nothing was hanging around for photographs and any bird flying either dove straight for cover or got a tailwind and was off like a bullet before identification of any kind. My next photo opportunity came as I walked up the Creek, my attention was drawn to a number of Greylag Geese who appeared to be running a crèche. I sat and watched them for 10-15 minutes, all this time the adult birds had their necks craned on the lookout in all directions whilst the youngsters grazed.



Greylag Geese & Goslings - Canon 400D + 100-400mm

The creek held nothing other than more Gulls, mainly Black Headed, as I neared the sluice I looked out over the East flood there was a nice bit of variety on and around the nearest island including Teal, Black tailed Godwit, Redshank and Coot. I turned towards the road and walking along the path I heard a Pheasant from the Pheasant Farm Extension and several calls from a large clump of bushes ahead which sounded like a Lesser Whitethroat. I sat on a nearby bench and watched the bushes, after 5 minutes I was rewarded with this little fellow who popped out and stood on a Bramble, then sat down on the Bramble as his legs got tired waiting for his next food delivery. I believe it is a Whitethroat (though I am not discounting Lesser Whitethroat perhaps those more learned than I can confirm).



Juvenile Whitethroat - Canon 400D + 100-400mm

I never saw the parent birds and as I did not wish to scare them off from their offspring I did not hang around too long either, instead I moved on to the East Flood Hide. From here there were clear views of Tufted Duck, Cormorants, Avocets, a Little Grebe and some more Common Tern. During the day I had seen a family of Swallows feeding their young on the wing, but in the high wind they had not hung around at all, now as I had neared the hide I had seen them take off from some nearby fence-posts so when I left the hide I did so quietly and yes, they had returned. Sadly the distance, the wind and the low light (it was now heavily overcast) did not help with photography, but I had to show this one of the youngsters with mouths agape waiting for food, a parent is the blur above the left hand youngster swooping in with food. 


Swallows awaiting food - Canon 400D + 100-400mm

As I was doing this I heard a nearby squeaking, it took about a minute to trace and I was pleasantly surprised to find that it was a young Swallow not 15 feet away. A post was in the way however every few shots I edged out to get more of the tail, eventually it flew off with its parents.



Juvenile Swallow - Canon 400D + 100-400mm

The excitement was not over yet, as I walked back to the car I was passing the wooden landing stage when an aggressive Avocet forced a group of Mallards on to the bank, then a Little Egret landed there and was also immediately set upon, I am not sure what the Avocet was defending as I could see no birds sitting nearby. It was almost comic the way the Avocet menaced the larger bird with its upturned beak looking like a bent sword, the Little Egret moved off, but at its own leisurely pace.

Avocet disagreeing with Little Egret - Canon 400D + 100-400mm

After this a nearby gentleman called my attention to a Marsh Harrier, it cruised by over the flood towards the Creek being mobbed by various birds as it progressed. Then a Heron in the flood dropped down by a small island and was immediately mobbed by some Common terns.



Heron - Canon 400D + 100-400mm

The final spot of the day for me was 3 linnets who flew past me on my way back to the car park. Sightings on this walk not mentioned above were Blackbird, Carrion Crow, Lapwing, Magpie, Wood Pigeon, House Sparrow, Starling, and Swift. Heard but not seen was a Sky Lark. Not a bad day all round, shame the bad light affected the photos.