Dungeness - mild, cloudy, sw 4- A blustery yet mild day with the wind increasing a couple of notches throughout the afternoon. After drawing a blank on the local patch we moved to the bird reserve where a Merlin put on a show at Boulderwall whilst watching the Ring-necked Duck. On Burrowes the usual combo of winter wildfowl, harriers, egrets, Lapwings and gulls, including at least one each of Caspian (adult) and Yellow-legged (1st winter) Gulls.
1400hrs - An hour at the boats in the company of PB and MH was notable for hundreds of Guillemots and Razorbills on the sea fishing and fizzing left and right, infact the most auks I`ve seen so far this winter. Also offshore hundreds of Kittiwakes, Gannets, Cormorants, Great Crested Grebes, Black-headed and Common Gulls and a trio of Red-throated Divers combined to give a superb seabird spectacle.
Friday, 23 December 2016
Thursday, 22 December 2016
Bewick`s Swan-song
ARC/Tower Pits - warm, dry, sunny, light airs - The weather seems to be alternating lately from grey and cloudy one day to sunshine the next, as today. We wandered around the back of the pits where apart from a tit flock, a Chiffchaff and a few Reed Buntings there was little to be found. On ARC a flock of 100 Lapwings, a Redshank, Great White Egret and all the usual common wildfowl.
Over the road at Boulderwall the Ring-necked Duck was asleep amongst the Tufted Ducks on Cook`s Pool and a Marsh Harrier flushed a large flock of Wigeon on the fields. The Tree Sparrows around the old farmhouse were particularly vocal this morning and I counted 21 sat in a bush by the workshop. The Long-eared Owl was again reported at roost behind the dipping pond.
Walland Marsh - On a winter wheat field adjacent to Horses Bones Farm near Lydd the Bewick`s Swan flock cut a forlorn sight comprising just 18 birds (only one of which was a juvenile). Long gone are the herds of 250 plus with each winter seeing fewer and fewer of these magnificent birds returning to our shores. This is mainly due (as per usual) to us humans draining wetlands and shooting swans en-route from their breeding grounds to winter quarters. So, best make the most of the remaining birds as I fear it won`t be too long before we lose them down here altogether.
Littlestone We walked the foreshore to St Mary`s Bay searching for Snow Buntings, of which there was no sign. However, there were waders on the beach aplenty including small flocks of Ringed and Grey Plovers, plus a lonely looking Brent Goose.
Lade - It was a cracking late afternoon scene as we trudged across the shingle to see what was moving to roost behind the lakes. A ringtail Hen Harrier headed towards Dungeness, along with several Marsh Harriers and Little Egrets, plus a steady trickle of Starlings, Woodpigeons and corvids. The Slavonian Grebe remained on south lake while Water Rails squealed from reed beds in the still twilight.
Over the road at Boulderwall the Ring-necked Duck was asleep amongst the Tufted Ducks on Cook`s Pool and a Marsh Harrier flushed a large flock of Wigeon on the fields. The Tree Sparrows around the old farmhouse were particularly vocal this morning and I counted 21 sat in a bush by the workshop. The Long-eared Owl was again reported at roost behind the dipping pond.
Walland Marsh - On a winter wheat field adjacent to Horses Bones Farm near Lydd the Bewick`s Swan flock cut a forlorn sight comprising just 18 birds (only one of which was a juvenile). Long gone are the herds of 250 plus with each winter seeing fewer and fewer of these magnificent birds returning to our shores. This is mainly due (as per usual) to us humans draining wetlands and shooting swans en-route from their breeding grounds to winter quarters. So, best make the most of the remaining birds as I fear it won`t be too long before we lose them down here altogether.
Littlestone We walked the foreshore to St Mary`s Bay searching for Snow Buntings, of which there was no sign. However, there were waders on the beach aplenty including small flocks of Ringed and Grey Plovers, plus a lonely looking Brent Goose.
Lade - It was a cracking late afternoon scene as we trudged across the shingle to see what was moving to roost behind the lakes. A ringtail Hen Harrier headed towards Dungeness, along with several Marsh Harriers and Little Egrets, plus a steady trickle of Starlings, Woodpigeons and corvids. The Slavonian Grebe remained on south lake while Water Rails squealed from reed beds in the still twilight.
Tuesday, 20 December 2016
Tenthredo maculata
Lade - cool, cloudy, sw 2 - First thing this morning the weather followed on from the gloom of yesterday, but soon perked up with the sun breaking through by noon. The local patch was well up to scratch with Slavonian Grebe, Smew and Great White Egret the highlights on south lake, two Marsh Harrier, Kingfisher and a flyover Bittern on north lake. Duck numbers were similar to Sunday`s WeBS count.
Slavonian Grebe, Lade
Tenthredo maculata, Greatstone
Dungeness - An hour at the fishing boats this afternoon delivered typical wintering fare on the sea comprising mostly Guillemots, Kittiwakes and Gannets, plus a couple of passing Red-throated Divers. On the beach a 1st winter Caspian Gull was in a gull flock by the Fish Hut.
Regular visitors to Dungeness will be pleased to learn that a brand new estate road surface (a pukka hot-roll asphalt job) is being laid and is almost complete, so dodging the pot-holes will be a thing of the past!
We called in at the Kerton Road Café on the way home where a wasp-like sawfly found in a Greatstone garden today was identified as Tenthredo maculata. Adults are only supposed to be active during the summer months, but it was warm enough once the sun broke through which probably enticed it out in the open to hunt, a smart little critter indeed.
Dungeness - An hour at the fishing boats this afternoon delivered typical wintering fare on the sea comprising mostly Guillemots, Kittiwakes and Gannets, plus a couple of passing Red-throated Divers. On the beach a 1st winter Caspian Gull was in a gull flock by the Fish Hut.
Regular visitors to Dungeness will be pleased to learn that a brand new estate road surface (a pukka hot-roll asphalt job) is being laid and is almost complete, so dodging the pot-holes will be a thing of the past!
We called in at the Kerton Road Café on the way home where a wasp-like sawfly found in a Greatstone garden today was identified as Tenthredo maculata. Adults are only supposed to be active during the summer months, but it was warm enough once the sun broke through which probably enticed it out in the open to hunt, a smart little critter indeed.
Sunday, 18 December 2016
Gulls, ducks and harriers
Lade - misty, grey and grim - An odd weekend weather wise with the fog lingering at Lade for much of Saturday while Dungeness was bathed in bright sunshine from mid-morning onwards. Looking out to sea the fret soon rolled back in as the sun set, but not before Mick and Richard had attracted several 1st winter Caspian Gulls to a feast of fish offal and popcorn at the fishing boats. New for me was hearing a recording of a vocalising Caspian Gull as it fought for food amongst the throng, a distinctive high-pitched rasping note and quite different from Herring Gull. For a listen check out PB`s Youtube link from yesterdays blog post: www.ploddingbirder.blogspot.co.uk
On the beach opposite Jarman`s Barney flushed a Snipe.
Barney in the mist, Lade
1st winter Caspian Gull in the sun, Dungeness
Grub up!
Sunday dawned mild, still and misty, perfect for counting wildfowl on the lakes where there was much to log. The highlights were 140 Shovelers, four Goldeneyes, a Great White Egret, an adult Caspian Gull and a Slavonian Grebe, the first of the winter. Also noted around the willow swamp, several Chiffchaffs and Reed Buntings, two Marsh Harriers, a Water Rail and a showy Cetti`s Warbler. Back along the beach and the sands were smothered in a bio-mass of thousands of gulls and hundreds of waders, an impressive spectacle made even more surreal by a sea fret hanging over the distant tideline.
Slavonian Grebe, Lade
Oystercatcher on the sands
This afternoon I joined CP for the monthly harrier roost count at our usual site on Walland Marsh. En-route the Bewick Swan flock was just about viewable from the lane near Horse`s Bones Farm, while the hedgerows down to Midley were alive with hundreds of winter thrushes including Blackbirds, Mistle and Song Thrushes. Around the roost site plenty of Lapwings and more winter thrushes were seen, plus a few Golden Plovers and Snipe, 180 Mute Swans, up to four Common Buzzards and two Kestrels but little Marsh Harrier activity, which was reflected in the roost count of just six birds, a mixture of females and immatures. However, a ringtail Hen Harrier flew through on its way to roosting elsewhere (probably on the ranges) and a hooting Long-eared Owl flew over the reedbed where Water Rails, Bearded Tits and Cetti`s Warblers were heard. As we left site 15 Bewick`s Swans flew in to roost on the reservoir, evocatively honking away, and rounding off another good birding session on the Marsh.
On the beach opposite Jarman`s Barney flushed a Snipe.
Sunday dawned mild, still and misty, perfect for counting wildfowl on the lakes where there was much to log. The highlights were 140 Shovelers, four Goldeneyes, a Great White Egret, an adult Caspian Gull and a Slavonian Grebe, the first of the winter. Also noted around the willow swamp, several Chiffchaffs and Reed Buntings, two Marsh Harriers, a Water Rail and a showy Cetti`s Warbler. Back along the beach and the sands were smothered in a bio-mass of thousands of gulls and hundreds of waders, an impressive spectacle made even more surreal by a sea fret hanging over the distant tideline.
This afternoon I joined CP for the monthly harrier roost count at our usual site on Walland Marsh. En-route the Bewick Swan flock was just about viewable from the lane near Horse`s Bones Farm, while the hedgerows down to Midley were alive with hundreds of winter thrushes including Blackbirds, Mistle and Song Thrushes. Around the roost site plenty of Lapwings and more winter thrushes were seen, plus a few Golden Plovers and Snipe, 180 Mute Swans, up to four Common Buzzards and two Kestrels but little Marsh Harrier activity, which was reflected in the roost count of just six birds, a mixture of females and immatures. However, a ringtail Hen Harrier flew through on its way to roosting elsewhere (probably on the ranges) and a hooting Long-eared Owl flew over the reedbed where Water Rails, Bearded Tits and Cetti`s Warblers were heard. As we left site 15 Bewick`s Swans flew in to roost on the reservoir, evocatively honking away, and rounding off another good birding session on the Marsh.
Friday, 16 December 2016
Green Sandpiper
Scotney - warm, dry, sunny - Following reports of a Red-necked Grebe yesterday we checked all the gravel pits from Lydd to the Sussex end but could only find Great Crested and Little Grebes. However there was plenty of variety on offer amongst the hundreds of common wildfowl and waders including two Goldeneyes and four Shelducks. The sheep folds by the cycle track attracted a large flock of Lapwings plus six Redshanks, five Curlews and a Ruff. Out back a Green Sandpiper flew along a farm ditch while hundreds more Lapwings and Golden Plovers took flight, spooked by several Common Buzzards and Marsh Harriers. It was good to see a few Corn and Reed Buntings, Skylarks and Mipits in the field margins.
On the way home we checked out the fields at Boulderwall where all was quiet apart from ten Curlews and a large flock of Wigeons. The usual harriers and egrets came and went while the Ring-necked Duck looked settled on Cook`s Pool. On Burrowes, Smew and Goosander were both present.
Elsewhere, the roosting Long-eared Owl has been seen on and off behind the Dipping pond and up to 17 Bewick`s Swans are present of the fields at Horses Bones Farm near Lydd.
Following a great evening of beer and song in the Star at St-Mary`s-in-the-Marsh last night (with the newly formed Romney Marsh Morris) a Barn Owl flew over the lane as we approached New Romney on the way back to the coast.
On the way home we checked out the fields at Boulderwall where all was quiet apart from ten Curlews and a large flock of Wigeons. The usual harriers and egrets came and went while the Ring-necked Duck looked settled on Cook`s Pool. On Burrowes, Smew and Goosander were both present.
Elsewhere, the roosting Long-eared Owl has been seen on and off behind the Dipping pond and up to 17 Bewick`s Swans are present of the fields at Horses Bones Farm near Lydd.
Following a great evening of beer and song in the Star at St-Mary`s-in-the-Marsh last night (with the newly formed Romney Marsh Morris) a Barn Owl flew over the lane as we approached New Romney on the way back to the coast.
Thursday, 15 December 2016
Winter thrushes
Dungeness - mild and dreary start, brighter later - A brief scan of ARC from the road revealed six Goosanders on the lake and two Smews on New Diggings, while the Ring-necked Duck remained on Cook`s pool, Boulderwall. We walked the foreshore from the lifeboat station to the fishing boats where the only bird of note was a 1st winter Caspian Gull on the shingle behind the Fish Hut. Offshore two flocks of Brent Geese totalling 100 passed up-Channel. Whilst at the boats chatting to PB and SO news came through of a Red-necked Grebe at Scotney on the pit behind the caravan park, but was a no show by the time we arrived.
1st winter Caspian Gull, Dungeness
Walland Marsh - On the way back from Rye this afternoon we crossed the Marsh where the hedgerows along the back lane to Lydd were alive with hundreds of Redwings and Fieldfares, the most I`ve seen so far this winter. The usual Tree Sparrows and finches were on the Midley feeders and several Buzzards were noted sat in fields, including a distinctive pale individual. I couldn't make out the Bewick`s Swans at Horses Bones Farm, although the low sunlight made for difficult viewing.
Walland Marsh - On the way back from Rye this afternoon we crossed the Marsh where the hedgerows along the back lane to Lydd were alive with hundreds of Redwings and Fieldfares, the most I`ve seen so far this winter. The usual Tree Sparrows and finches were on the Midley feeders and several Buzzards were noted sat in fields, including a distinctive pale individual. I couldn't make out the Bewick`s Swans at Horses Bones Farm, although the low sunlight made for difficult viewing.
Wednesday, 14 December 2016
First Bittern
Lade - warm and sunny - What a difference a day makes. With the temperature topping 13C by noon plenty of flying insects broke cover including several bees and two Red Admirals. We went off piste this morning during our circular walk by taking in the foreshore and sand dunes down to Greatstone where a flock of 25 Long-tailed Tits harboured two Wrens and a Chiffchaff. Also noted along the tideline, amongst the Sanderlings, Dunlins and Turnstones, were several Mipits and Pied Wagtails. The highlight on the lakes was a flight view of our first Bittern of the winter over the willow swamp.
I was surprised to receive quite a few texts and e-mails today regarding my Christmas comments yesterday. Thanks again for your support, its good to know I`m not alone!
I was surprised to receive quite a few texts and e-mails today regarding my Christmas comments yesterday. Thanks again for your support, its good to know I`m not alone!
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