Cliffe Pools 13-7-2013

Saturday saw Wendy and I take a trip out to Cliffe, it being July and scorching hot I did not expect to see much bird-wise and hoped that the Butterflies and Dragonflies would make up for this but it was a lifetime spot that made the day for me. From the Car Park a scan of Kingfisher Pool revealed a number of Black Headed Gulls, Coots, Canada Geese and Greylag Geese whilst the odd Wood Pigeon and Carrion Crow were in the woods behind us. The butterfly spotting got off to a quick start with a Small Heath, Small White and several Meadow Browns whilst Common Blue Damselflies abounded.

Common Blue Damselfly - Canon 400D + 100-400mm

The walk to Radar Pool gave forth Goldfinch, Robin, Blackbird, Blue Tit, Long Tailed Tit, and several Comma Butterflies.

Comma Butterfly - Canon 400D + 100-400mm



From the viewing platform over Radar Pool I was slightly saddened that with the exception of a couple of Common Terns and 3 Oystercatchers the nearby islands had been taken over by Black Headed Gulls who were also making a huge amount of noise from the pool behind me, I am sure there was more variety on the islands last year. The water provided more Coots, Great Crested Grebes, a solitary Tufted Duck, a single Dabchick and some Pochard.

Unknown (to me) Dragonfly

On the way to Flamingo Pool I saw some distant House Sparrows and a Great Tit. There were more white butterflies along with the few blues however they remained unidentified due to their constant movement (hence why no Photos either) Fortunately this Cinnabar Moth happily stopped for a photo.

Cinnabar Moth - Canon 400D + 100-400mm

On Flamingo there were a number of Great Crested Grebes including a pair briefly displaying.

Great Crested Grebes - Canon 400D + 100-400mm

Along the far shore were a large number of Bar Tailed Godwits all in summer plumage along with a few Lapwings and what I believe to be Whimbrel (though I am more than happy to be corrected to Curlew - the view through my scope was not any clearer than this heavily enlarged shot).

BH Gulls Lapwings and Whimbrels? - Canon 400D + 100-400mm

There were also 2 flocks of Avocets with a few Little Egrets and some Shelducks. The heat was getting to me so I returned to the car seeing a Collared Dove, a Dunnock and a Magpie on the way. I decided to drive round to the other side of Radar where sadly the water provided nothing new however I did find a pair of Whitethroats busy collecting food for fledglings.

Whitethroat - Canon 400D + 100-400mm

 

I was attracted to a small bush by some reeds from which I could hear some high pitched peeping (not unlike a squeaky wheel on a bike) and decided I was looking for a really small bird and then saw one flitting around at the back of the bush, I then saw some tail feathers of what I thought was a dove in the bush and the small flitting bird which turned out to be a Reed Warbler landed next to it.

Reed Warbler with young Cuckoo in background (apologies but autofocus latched on to leaves not the Warbler)

Then it dawned on me, the dove was a Cuckoo and I was watching a pair of Reed Warblers frantically gathering food for it. Whenever either of the adults returned the Cuckoo let out the high pitched squeaking which did not equate to its size in any way. I was fascinated and as they were unconcerned by my presence I was able to watch them for about 15 minutes, despite the length of time photo opportunities were very few and I had no wish to disturb them with random clicking.

Juvenile Cuckoo  - Canon 400D + 100-400mm

Other sightings for the day included a Heron flying low over the BH Gull island being heavily mobbed, a Green Woodpecker, a Cormorant and some Starlings, heard but not seen were Jackdaws and a Chaffinch. Other wildlife seen was a rapidly scampering lizard, a pair of young adult foxes and this dragonfly whose wings glistened with coppery sparkles my knowledge is poor on Odonata and I am going to plumb for a female Darter of some sort.

Female Common Darter ?

Only 26 bird sightings for the day, but a once in a lifetime experience with the Cuckoo especially as numbers appear to be plummeting (in fact this was the first Cuckoo I have seen or heard this year) so I was more than happy.

Reculver 27th March 2013

Cormorant - Canon 400D +100-400mm - Kelsey Park - 17-2-2013

This post has been delayed due to lack of photos (please see end of report). The 27^th March saw Stephen and I take a stroll around Reculver, the tide was in and a bitter ENE wind battered our faces. At the car park we could hear and see a number of House Sparrows and Starlings flitting around near the pub. Moving on to the Towers all we found was a solitary Brent Goose sitting on the stones at the base of the cliff, however slightly further on over the fields to the south a Kestrel hovered on the hunt.

Kestrel - Olympus SP590UZ - Resting on one of the Towers at Reculver out of the wind 29-3-2013

A couple of Blackbirds were also pottering around the hedgerows at the edge of the field. Everything looked a bit bleak but at least it was nice and sunny as we strolled down to the Sea Wall. Looking out over the Oyster Farm there was little to see although the odd Redshank did lift off as we passed and out to sea various Gulls (Black Headed, Herring and Great Black Backed) accompanied us. Further out we saw a number of birds too distant to identify properly and a few Cormorants, fortunately a short while later we found one sat on a post close enough to photograph. A few Dunlin and Knot also flew past.



Cormorant - Canon 400D +100-400mm - Reculver

East of the Oyster Farm Steve picked out a Marsh Harrier flying low to the south whilst nearer us a Reed Bunting was flicking in and out of the bushes, a Meadow Pipit also presented itself briefly on the Sea Wall. As we approached the turning point of the Wantsum we picked out a small mixed flock of waders namely Ringed Plover, Knot, Turnstone and Sanderling. Turning South away from the Sea Wall we were at long last out of the biting wind, a scour of the fields revealed in the far distance some Shelduck, Mute Swans and a Heron, a Pheasant and a few Carrion Crows were also seen.

Ringed Plover - Canon 400D +100-400mm - Reculver

As we made our way to the railway crossing we heard then eventually saw a Sky Lark, first one this year for me whilst to our East a flock of (200+) Brent Geese took to the air. Looking south from the railway we saw a field containing Golden Plovers mixed with some Lapwing, Black Headed Gulls and a few Feral Pigeons; also seen from this spot was a Magpie and my first Wood Pigeon of the day. Whilst munching on our sandwiches a second, much darker, Marsh Harrier flew down the line of the dyke to out northwest.



Grey Plover - Canon 400D +100-400mm - Reculver

After lunch we made our way back to the Towers via the south side of the Oyster farm and were pleasantly surprised with a number of spots that we had not seen from the Sea wall, namely Avocets and Oystercatchers in the pools along with some Redshanks and in a nearby stream some Teal, Mallards, Moorhen and a Dabchick. At this point we were joined by another birder who took us round to the Sea Wall where he had seen the Black Redstart earlier, sadly there was no show although a Robin briefly appeared.

Robin - Canon 400D +100-400mm - Kelsey Park (on a much warmer and sunnier day 17-2-2013)

We were about to go when the Black Redstart made a brief appearance, a lifetime spot for me, sadly though it was constantly on the move and I could not get a photo, nevertheless it was gorgeous to see. Back at the Car Park a last minute addition to the day list was a Collared Dove whilst on the way home I found a Buzzard flying low near the Motorway.

Black Headed Gull - Canon 400D +100-400mm - Reculver 1-4-2013

For the day 40 different birds seen. I did not get many photos so I have added a few into this blog from Kelsey Park which I visited earlier this year (17-2-2013). I have returned to reculver twice more to photograph the Black Redstart, on each occasion the weather has been colder and more windy, so much so on the last visit that the bird in question failed to appear. The Kestrel and Black Headed Gull are from these visits and to the tally of birds at Reculver I can add Little Egret, Sandwich Tern and Pied Wagtail.

 

Dungeness RSPB 14-2-2013

On Thursday 14^th February Wendy had a course at Dungeness RSPB reserve, so I took the opportunity to accompany her, the weather-lady had promised lovely sunshine all day so I went fully kitted out with camera and scope, the only downside was limited time as we arrived in early afternoon.

Mallard - ARC Hide - Canon 400D + 100-400mm

On arrival the car park bird feeder although almost empty was being visited by numerous Blue Tits, whilst several Moorhens were around its base along with a solitary Rabbit. Instead of the walk I decided to start at the ARC, this gave me the opportunity to drive slowly back down the drive scouring the various flocks of geese for the visiting Bean and Barnacle Geese but was only rewarded with Canada and Greylag.

Coot - ARC Hide - Canon 400D + 100-400mm

The ARC was a lot quieter than in previous visits probably because the water level was quite high, none the less a couple of Herring Gulls  were accompanying the Cormorants on the little island, whilst a quick scan round of the ducks revealed Coots and Tufted Ducks aplenty with a few Mallard (the sun giving the male Mallards a metallic sheen to their heads), Shoveler, Teal and Pochard dotted around.

Goldeneye - ARC Hide - Canon 400D + 100-400mm

A slower look at the ducks revealed a couple of Goldeneye and several female Smew, whilst tucked away in the reeds to the East was a male Smew, also asleep but a little more prominent was a Great Crested Grebe. Overhead flew a Marsh Harrier whilst 2 Great White Egrets flew into and were lost in the reeds to the North.

Female Smew - ARC Screen - Canon 400D + 100-400mm

I went round to the viewing screen where one of the Great White Egrets showed for a brief time before flying off towards the power station and beyond. From the screen were improved views of a Great Crested Grebe, and the female Smews. A couple of additional visitors were a Carrion Crow who hopped across the screen roof and a Green Woodpecker flying past. On the walk back to the Car Park I added Mute Swan to the list, a pair of which were swimming in a pit to my right.



Great White Egret - ARC Screen - Canon 400D + 100-400mm

On the drive to the main reserve I saw three Reed Buntings near the farm, another scouring of the geese flocks revealed Barnacle Geese sadly they were some distance away and only visible with the scope, there were also a large number of Wigeon grazing.

Great White Egret over Dungeness Power Station - Canon 400D + 100-400mm

Sadly the light was dropping rapidly as dark clouds rolled in (hence most photos from ARC). My first stop in the reserve was Makepeace Hide from which large numbers of various duck could be seen, I added Shelduck and Gadwall to the list, a Dabchick dove briefly in front of the hide before disappearing into the reeds and a Heron flew into the reeds to my right.

Great Crested Grebe - ARC Screen - Canon 400D + 100-400mm

On the walk to Denge Marsh Hide I was accompanied by several Stonechats which were showing nicely against the darkening sky, sadly the best poses were also out of focus. Over to the south of the footpath was an amazing sight, a large flock of Fieldfare were on the ground feeding, along the right hand fringe of this flock were a few lapwing and to their right were large numbers of Curlew also feeding, several hundred birds in all, I love seeing birds in large numbers and get a larger thrill from that than I do seeing the odd rarity.



Stonechats - Dungeness RSPB - Canon 400D + 100-400mm

I was running late and forwent Denge Marsh hide, however I then found that the footpath back to the centre was closed and with the diversion I suddenly found my return journey doubled in length and although this did afford me a wonderful view of a large mixed flock of lapwing and Golden Plover I was in danger of getting locked in and 4.45pm saw me still about15 minutes from the car park. I Marched briskly in the drizzle (thank you BBC local Weather forecast) when a very nice lady leaving the reserve,stopped her car and kindly offered me a lift back to the centre which I gratefully received and am very very thankful for.

Pochard - ARC Screen - Canon 400D + 100-400mm

Missed off the day list are Blackbird, Wood Pigeon, Magpie, Robin, Starling, Great Tit and long Tailed Tit who were dotted around the reserve. Two spots on the drive to the reserve were a Sparrowhawk which flew in front of the car across the road no more than 4 feet off the ground just South of Ashford and a hovering Kestrel just before Lydd. The count for the day was 41, not terrific, but not bad.

Rainbow - Dungeness - Canon 400D + 100-400mm

 

First Four Days of 2013

 

Robin at Riverside Country Park

2012  was not a brilliant bird watching year for me with only 130 spieces seen, some 32 down on the previous year. The continual dull and wet weather definitely put a damper on the hobby for me as well as a serious reduction of photographic opportunities. However with a New Year came a new start and although I have not been out Bird Watching as such, Wendy and I have been out for walks most days with camera and binoculars (and once with a telescope - but it was still a walk NOT Bird Watching even though we then stood for an hour watching birds). All pictures in this post were with my Canon 400D + 100-400mm

Waxwings - Tescos, Whitstable

New Years Day saw us visiting friends in Whitstable and whilst there we took a short stroll to Tescos Car Park where over the last few weeks some Waxwings had been seen. Soon after we arrived in a car park devoid of all birdlife except a rather bold Herring Gull, a small flock of 70+ Waxwings gathered in a tree before flying off. Unlike my previous sightings at this venue they did not stay to feed. Fortunately a sunny day provided a few nice photos. I understand a smaller flock is still there.

Waxwings - Tescos, Whitstable

On 2^nd January We went for a walk along the Medway at East Barming, the day was dull and drizzly with a heavily overcast sky turning from frequent showers to constant rain. We started walking West along the river which was high, turgid, fast flowing and a horrible muddy brown colour. There was a reasonable amount of bird activity from small numbers of Goldfinch, Chaffinch, Blackbirds, Robins, Blue Tits and Great Tits inhabiting the bushes, whilst the river itself was empty except for the odd Moorhen along and on the opposite bank.

Chaffinch - Riverside Country Park

After half a mile due to the worsening weather we returned, on the way back we added a Sparrow Hawk and a Cormorant to the day list. Before leaving we checked the woods to the East where a mixed flock of Redwing and Fieldfare were found in a couple of the taller trees together with a large number of Wood Pigeons scattered among the rest. A small flock of Long Tailed Tits were sheltering in the woods though still constantly on the move. Other sightings on the day included Carrion Crow, Wren, Starling and House Sparrow.

Carrion Crows (silhouette) - Leybourne Lakes

The 3^rd January was another heavily overcast day so we stayed local and went to Leybourne Lakes. Ocean (Tescos) Lake provided sightings of Cormorants, Mute Swans, Mallards, Coots, Moorhens, Greylag Geese, Canada Geese, Great Crested Grebe and what I believe were Aylesbury Ducks. We strolled on towards Streamside Lake when we saw this female Kestrel sitting in a tree over the footpath.

Female kestrel - Leybourne Lakes

We took a look at the Dipping (Round) Pond, but only a few Coots were seen however some Long Tailed Tits were performing at the edge of the pond, if only the sun had been out to show their full splendour in the photos.

Long Tailed Tit - Leybourne Lakes

We took the path between Streamside and Railway Lakes, in Railway lake we saw a pair of Dabchicks swimming among the many Tufted Ducks that were there whilst in Streamside we saw Shovelers, Gadwalls and Black Headed Gulls along with a single Pochard, we were also fortunate enough to see a Kingfisher flying low over the water near the west bank.

Female Tufted Duck - Leybourne lakes

During the walk we had also added Blackbird, Chaffinch, Carrion Crow, Collared Dove, Fieldfare, Goldfinch, Heron (flying overhead), Jackdaw, Jay, Magpie, Wood Pigeon, Robin, Blue Tit, Great Tit and Great Spotted Woodpecker to the days list.

Collared Dove - Riverside Country Park

The 4^th January was yet another gloomy overcast day with the added excitement of a chill in the air but undaunted we spent 2 hours of it at Riverside Country Park in Gillingham, the tide was out and a lot lower than I have seen it for some time – somewhat in contrast to the high level of the Medway we had seen at east Barming.

Robin - Riverside Country Park

We started off at the sunken pond finding Collared Doves, Wood Pigeons, Great Tits, a Robin, a couple of Dunnocks and several Moorhens.

Moorhen - Riverside Country Park

Next we moved West along the shoreline where I was happy to see a number Redshank on the mudflats.

Redshank - Riverside Country Park

A scour of the muddy estuary towards Kingsnorth Power Station revealed Curlews, Shelduck, Oystercatchers, Black Headed Gulls, Herring Gulls and a couple of Grey Plovers, also in one of the gullies were a large number of Teal. We followed the path West until it turns South again from here a scan of the mudflats gave us some Dunlin, Wigeon, Carrion Crow, Lapwing and a sole Greenshank near enough to photograph.

Greenshank - Riverside Country Park

In addition, nearby on its own was an Avocet with a missing left foot who was continually struggling so as not to sink into the mud.

Avocet - Riverside Country Park

Further out in the river were some Brent Geese and a number of Cormorants whilst watching them was a Lesser Black Backed Gull.

Dunnock - Riverside Country Park

We returned to the car park via the woodland walk which produced sightings of Goldfinch, Blue Tit, Blackbird, Chaffinch, Long Tailed Tit, Magpie, Jay, Long Tailed Tit, Green Woodpecker and Great Spotted Woodpecker.

Great Spotted Woodpecker - Riverside Country Park

The four days had only brought us 55 species, but as this was 42% of my 2012 total I was more than happy, in addition despite the very poor light on 3 of the days I did still manage to get some nice shots.