Romney Salts - cold, cloudy, showers, W3 - Not the best of days to wander around a farmland tract, but I just felt like a change of scene. However, in between the showers two Corn Buntings were up and jangling merrily away alongside singing Skylark, Meadow Pipit and Reed Bunting. A male Wheatear perched briefly atop a dung heap that attracted 10 Pied Wagtails, several Linnets and a Kestrel. A wander around a stubble field produced a pair of Red-legged Partridge, something of a scarcity down here these days and the first for the year. Also noted Lapwing, Golden Plover, Stock Dove, Buzzard and Mistle Thrush, plus singing Blackcap and Chiffchaff in the woodland at the end of Dunes Road.
Lade - The two wintering Long-tailed Ducks were sat on the far bank when I arrived on site, although an hour later they were out fishing on south lake. An increase in Goldeneyes to 12 and Black-necked Grebe to three was of note and at least 50 Shoveler were still present. In and around the willow swamp a singing Blackcap, Cetti`s Warbler and several Chiffchaffs hinted at the coming spring, as did several highly vocal Water Rails.
Still enjoying the blog very interesting am I still likely to see the osprey at Denge Marsh? Is the same place the blue throat was? Also you probably don’t remember but myself and a friend done a walk round dungeness reserve with you the other week (we saw the boxing hares) do you do a guided walk around Rye nature reserve? Thanks lizzie :-)
ReplyDeleteHi Lizzie, spring Ospreys tend not to hang about here, just pass quickly through, often being harried by gulls. I think this one was seen over Dengemarsh on the reserve rather that Bluethroat Gully. As for Rye Harbour they have volunteers doing guided walks, so best to check out their website for details, or contact me on e-mail: troddy@plovers.co.uk All the best, Paul.
ReplyDelete