Lade - Mild wet and windy sw 3-6 - These past couple of days have been dominated by fast-moving weather fronts streaming in off the Atlantic. The strong `uns are now named by the Met Office with today`s blow entitled, `Barney`: I`ve told my beloved mutt, but he was less than impressed...
There hasn't been much change to the bird life on the wind-swept gravel pits around the peninsula with the 2 Black-necked Grebes still hugging the margins of New Diggings, Goosander and Smew on Burrowes and Great White Egrets just about everywhere you look around the bird reseerve. A Firecrest showed well yesterday morning by Dennis`s hide and during the afternoon there was a report of a Dusky Warbler near Hookers reed bed which proved suitably elusive, and again this morning when it was seen and heard skulking in scrub. Another skulker, a Dartford Warbler continues to remain faithful to the gorse and bramble cover along the return trail.
Dungeness - A late morning visit along the beach and fishing boats revealed little movement offshore apart from Cormorants, Kittiwakes and Black-headed Gulls, plus 10 Common Scoters west. Great Crested Grebe numbers are starting to increase and 45 Turnstones were present on the tideline.
By early afternoon the rain commenced and the wind rapidly increased as Storm Barney swept up Channel rendering any attempt at birding pointless.
Tuesday, 17 November 2015
Sunday, 15 November 2015
Counting Coots
Lade - mild, cloudy, occasional sun, windy, drizzle, w 6 - 1000hrs - Strong winds blasting across south lake made for difficult viewing for the monthly WeBS Count which was carried out by a combination of old fashioned counting and photographing flocks for checking later, such is the huge numbers of waterfowl present. I carried out a rough count on Friday, in slightly calmer conditions, which tallied with todays count.
Coots numbered a staggering 1,480, a new site record (or at least since I`ve been counting these past 10 years), plus 550 Gadwalls (also a record), so pretty much a 3:1 ratio, and 22 Dabchicks along with good numbers of Wigeon and Shoveler, but fewer Tufted Duck and Pochard. The reason for this glut of dabblers is almost certainly due to an abundance of food in the form of masses of Canadian water weed, which also supports invertebrates such as small water snails and insect larvae.
On the more sheltered north lake around 1,000 gulls comprised mainly Black-headed and Herring, but in the throng were 5 Meds and a 1st winter Caspian. More bird bio-mass on the fields to the north included 500 Lapwings, 100 Golden Plovers, 200 Woodpigeons, 100 Stock Doves, 100 corvids, 20 Magpies and 50 Fieldfares.
Canadian water weed
Coot and Gadwall, go together like rhubarb and custard
Coots feeding on water weed
Walland Marsh - Joined CP for the monthly harrier count this afternoon, where thankfully after this mornings effort the abacus was redundant and the wind had relented somewhat. In poor light and drizzle 16 Marsh Harriers came to roost in reedbed, nearly all female or immature birds. Also noted in the general area 2 Buzzards, 2 Kestrels, 12 Skylarks, 10 Fieldfares, 2 Cetti`s Warblers and calling Water Rails.
Coots numbered a staggering 1,480, a new site record (or at least since I`ve been counting these past 10 years), plus 550 Gadwalls (also a record), so pretty much a 3:1 ratio, and 22 Dabchicks along with good numbers of Wigeon and Shoveler, but fewer Tufted Duck and Pochard. The reason for this glut of dabblers is almost certainly due to an abundance of food in the form of masses of Canadian water weed, which also supports invertebrates such as small water snails and insect larvae.
On the more sheltered north lake around 1,000 gulls comprised mainly Black-headed and Herring, but in the throng were 5 Meds and a 1st winter Caspian. More bird bio-mass on the fields to the north included 500 Lapwings, 100 Golden Plovers, 200 Woodpigeons, 100 Stock Doves, 100 corvids, 20 Magpies and 50 Fieldfares.
Walland Marsh - Joined CP for the monthly harrier count this afternoon, where thankfully after this mornings effort the abacus was redundant and the wind had relented somewhat. In poor light and drizzle 16 Marsh Harriers came to roost in reedbed, nearly all female or immature birds. Also noted in the general area 2 Buzzards, 2 Kestrels, 12 Skylarks, 10 Fieldfares, 2 Cetti`s Warblers and calling Water Rails.
Friday, 13 November 2015
Storm Abigail
Dungeness - mild, showery, w 4-6 - The morning was dominated by the weather as we received a meteorological slap (at least compared with northern Britain) from Storm Abigail in the form of gusty winds and hefty showers through the morning, although it brightened up this afternoon.
A circuit of the point delivered very little in the way of birds with just a handful of Robins, Goldcrests, Blackbirds, Goldfinches, Kestrel and a Stonechat in the trapping area/desert. Likewise nothing much was happening on the sea and we couldn't even find a Caspo amongst the roosting gulls on the beach; still, Barney wasn't complaining as we covered the shingle at a steady pace without stopping to gawp at the waves for too long.
We also bid our farewells to SG who`ll be migrating back north to Surrey this weekend; all the best Steve and hope to see you next spring.
Lade - A pre-WeBS count check of the local patch was difficult due to the strong wind whipping across south lake, but I reckon this coming Sunday will see a record Coot count, so watch this space...
ARC - From Screen hide this afternoon 2 Marsh Harriers over, Bittern, Great White Egret and Goldeneye, plus Great Spotted Woodpecker and Chiffchaff at the pines.
A circuit of the point delivered very little in the way of birds with just a handful of Robins, Goldcrests, Blackbirds, Goldfinches, Kestrel and a Stonechat in the trapping area/desert. Likewise nothing much was happening on the sea and we couldn't even find a Caspo amongst the roosting gulls on the beach; still, Barney wasn't complaining as we covered the shingle at a steady pace without stopping to gawp at the waves for too long.
We also bid our farewells to SG who`ll be migrating back north to Surrey this weekend; all the best Steve and hope to see you next spring.
Lade - A pre-WeBS count check of the local patch was difficult due to the strong wind whipping across south lake, but I reckon this coming Sunday will see a record Coot count, so watch this space...
ARC - From Screen hide this afternoon 2 Marsh Harriers over, Bittern, Great White Egret and Goldeneye, plus Great Spotted Woodpecker and Chiffchaff at the pines.
Thursday, 12 November 2015
Dartford Warbler
RSPB - mild, showery, sw 3 - We spent the morning on the bird reserve having seconds on the Dartford Warbler, which we all heard and saw fairly well as it performed low down in bramble scrub along the return trail. A few finches and thrushes drifted over, but there was nothing like the variety and numbers of yesterday. Around the circular walk were up to 6 Marsh Harriers, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Goldcrest, Kingfisher, 5 Cetti`s Warbler, Water Rail, good views of a Raven, 2 Sparrowhawks and all the usual wildfowl on Burrowes.
We finished the four day birdwatching break for David, Val and Sandra with a species tally of 105, but as is often the case it was more about the spectacle of large numbers of birds flocking together as winter looms that will live long in the memory. The thousands of Golden Plovers down at Rye took some beating, as did the hundreds of Fieldfares on Monday by the Royal Military Canal, the wildfowl on Burrowes and waders on Lade bay; and lets face it watching egrets and harriers come to roost is pretty special too. The quality was provided by Dartford Warbler, Short-eared Owl and up to five Firecrests.
Other highlights during the week included a large number of plants still in flower, a myriad of different fungi (which I`m still trying to id!) and good views of Hare and Mink.
Orange fungi on wood
We finished the four day birdwatching break for David, Val and Sandra with a species tally of 105, but as is often the case it was more about the spectacle of large numbers of birds flocking together as winter looms that will live long in the memory. The thousands of Golden Plovers down at Rye took some beating, as did the hundreds of Fieldfares on Monday by the Royal Military Canal, the wildfowl on Burrowes and waders on Lade bay; and lets face it watching egrets and harriers come to roost is pretty special too. The quality was provided by Dartford Warbler, Short-eared Owl and up to five Firecrests.
Other highlights during the week included a large number of plants still in flower, a myriad of different fungi (which I`m still trying to id!) and good views of Hare and Mink.
Wednesday, 11 November 2015
Firecrests and Dartford Warbler
RSPB - mild, cloudy, sw 3 - First stop this morning was New Diggings where the 2 Black-necked Grebes showed well close to the causeway road, plus a Great White Egret at the western end.
There must`ve been a fall of Firecrests overnight as several were heard and seen in the scrub by the bird feeders, plus the usual tits, finches, Tree Sparrows and Reed Buntings.
Walking down to the return trail we all had cracking views of a Short-eared Owl that flew out over the shingle and around the car park before landing back down by the pond. The return trail is often deadly quiet, but not this morning as a trickle of Redpolls, Siskins and Goldfinches passed overhead, while in the brambles by the bridle path we had brief views of both Dartford Warbler and Ring Ouzel. Plenty of Blackbirds, Blue Tits, 4 Stonechats, Raven over, 2 Redwings, Green Woodpecker, Marsh Harrier and Kestrel completed a marvellous suite of bird variety in a small area. We also saw an old Hare and back at the car park enjoyed further good views of up to 5 Firecrests.
2 Black-necked Grebes, New Diggings
Firecrest, one of several seen today
Foxglove, one of many plants still in flower
Brown Hare, return trail
Stonechat, return trail
Golden Plovers, Rye Harbour
Mink, Castle Water
Rye Harbour - En-route the usual wildfowl and waders were noted on the grass at Scotney. At Rye we checked out Flat Beach from the John Gooder`s hide where the main spectacle was provided by c2,500 Golden Plovers and 1,000 Lapwings. In amongst the throng were a number of Shelduck, Redshank, Curlew, Little Grebe Turnstone, Wigeon, Teal, Shoveler, Skylark and Meadow Pipit.
The afternoon was spent at Castle Water where loads more common wildfowl were noted, plus Stonechats, 2 Marsh Harriers, 12 Snipe, Chiffchaffs, Cetti`s Warblers, Kingfisher and a Mink swimming across the water in front of the hide being followed by a flock of Coots!
An excellent day in the field for the guests with the Firecrests and Shortie the highlights due to the superb views.
There must`ve been a fall of Firecrests overnight as several were heard and seen in the scrub by the bird feeders, plus the usual tits, finches, Tree Sparrows and Reed Buntings.
Walking down to the return trail we all had cracking views of a Short-eared Owl that flew out over the shingle and around the car park before landing back down by the pond. The return trail is often deadly quiet, but not this morning as a trickle of Redpolls, Siskins and Goldfinches passed overhead, while in the brambles by the bridle path we had brief views of both Dartford Warbler and Ring Ouzel. Plenty of Blackbirds, Blue Tits, 4 Stonechats, Raven over, 2 Redwings, Green Woodpecker, Marsh Harrier and Kestrel completed a marvellous suite of bird variety in a small area. We also saw an old Hare and back at the car park enjoyed further good views of up to 5 Firecrests.
Rye Harbour - En-route the usual wildfowl and waders were noted on the grass at Scotney. At Rye we checked out Flat Beach from the John Gooder`s hide where the main spectacle was provided by c2,500 Golden Plovers and 1,000 Lapwings. In amongst the throng were a number of Shelduck, Redshank, Curlew, Little Grebe Turnstone, Wigeon, Teal, Shoveler, Skylark and Meadow Pipit.
The afternoon was spent at Castle Water where loads more common wildfowl were noted, plus Stonechats, 2 Marsh Harriers, 12 Snipe, Chiffchaffs, Cetti`s Warblers, Kingfisher and a Mink swimming across the water in front of the hide being followed by a flock of Coots!
An excellent day in the field for the guests with the Firecrests and Shortie the highlights due to the superb views.
Tuesday, 10 November 2015
Wildfowl, waders and wind
Dungeness - mild, overcast, sw 5 - We kicked off at the point first thing for a seawatch from the fishing boats that yielded the expected fare of distant Gannets, auks and Kittiwakes feeding offshore, plus 3 Common Scoter, Red-throated Diver and Brent Goose. There was plenty of gulls to sift through on the shingle including a 1st winter Yellow-legged and Caspian Gull, the latter coming to bread on the concrete road.
RSPB - Moving on to the bird reserve where the highlights on Burrowes were 3 Smews, 2 Goosanders and 3 Goldeneyes amongst hundreds of common wildfowl, most of them sheltering at the western end and viewable from Scott hide. Five Snipe, 3 Great White Egrets, Kingfisher and 2 Stonechats also noted, plus Reed Bunting and Great Spotted Woodpecker on the feeders.
Lade Bay - We checked the bay at three locations from the Tavern to Littlestone and nailed nine out of ten of the usual waders, with only Grey Plover eluding us. As always Ringed Plover and Knot were tricky but we tracked them down opposite the old lifeboat station.
Walland Marsh - Back out on the flatlands we finished the day at a reed bed site where 6 Marsh Harriers came in roost with another ten in the general area.
RSPB - Moving on to the bird reserve where the highlights on Burrowes were 3 Smews, 2 Goosanders and 3 Goldeneyes amongst hundreds of common wildfowl, most of them sheltering at the western end and viewable from Scott hide. Five Snipe, 3 Great White Egrets, Kingfisher and 2 Stonechats also noted, plus Reed Bunting and Great Spotted Woodpecker on the feeders.
Lade Bay - We checked the bay at three locations from the Tavern to Littlestone and nailed nine out of ten of the usual waders, with only Grey Plover eluding us. As always Ringed Plover and Knot were tricky but we tracked them down opposite the old lifeboat station.
Walland Marsh - Back out on the flatlands we finished the day at a reed bed site where 6 Marsh Harriers came in roost with another ten in the general area.
Monday, 9 November 2015
Old friends
Walland Marsh - mild, cloudy, sw 5 - Picked up Val, Sandra and David from Ashford at midday who are down for a weeks birding; the two ladies being our longest clients and old friends, since we started ten years ago.
Whilst having lunch at Faggs Wood we noted Jay, Goldcrest, Long-tailed and Coal Tits around the car park. Along the canal at Kenardington we cleaned up on the thrushes with 500 Fieldfares, 100 Redwings and a scattering of Mistle, Song Thrushes and Blackbirds. Yellowhammer was also noted here along with common finches and tits, Kestrel and Common Buzzard nearby. The blustery wind made for difficult birding with few passerines seen as we crossed the Marsh. A Great White Egret in a field near Midley was of note and the usual Tree Sparrows showed well on the feeders. At the drying barns more Fieldfares and a few Chaffinches, plus a Grey Wagtail on the barn.
Great White Egret, Midley
Tree Sparrows, Midley
ARC - We finished the afternoon initially at Hanson hide where 2 Goldeneyes and 10 Pintails were the highlights amongst the common wildfowl, plus Kingfisher, Great White Egret, Sparrowhawk and 5 Marsh Harriers. Finally we moved to the gateway at the eastern end to count the egrets coming to roost, of which there were 14 Little and 5 Great White, although we may have missed one or two that sneaked in from the north in the near gale force wind. Hundreds of corvids headed to roost at the Oppen pits.
Whilst having lunch at Faggs Wood we noted Jay, Goldcrest, Long-tailed and Coal Tits around the car park. Along the canal at Kenardington we cleaned up on the thrushes with 500 Fieldfares, 100 Redwings and a scattering of Mistle, Song Thrushes and Blackbirds. Yellowhammer was also noted here along with common finches and tits, Kestrel and Common Buzzard nearby. The blustery wind made for difficult birding with few passerines seen as we crossed the Marsh. A Great White Egret in a field near Midley was of note and the usual Tree Sparrows showed well on the feeders. At the drying barns more Fieldfares and a few Chaffinches, plus a Grey Wagtail on the barn.
ARC - We finished the afternoon initially at Hanson hide where 2 Goldeneyes and 10 Pintails were the highlights amongst the common wildfowl, plus Kingfisher, Great White Egret, Sparrowhawk and 5 Marsh Harriers. Finally we moved to the gateway at the eastern end to count the egrets coming to roost, of which there were 14 Little and 5 Great White, although we may have missed one or two that sneaked in from the north in the near gale force wind. Hundreds of corvids headed to roost at the Oppen pits.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)