Tuesday 29 September 2015

September 29th (New Hythe)

Blackcap (female) some have now started putting on fat reserves.
Clear,light easterly.(0630-0900).(E/W scrub) 2X40ft nets.

Good catch this morning,mainly Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs.

BIRDS RINGED

Blackcap  (22)

Chiffchaff  (7)

Blue Tit  (4)

Great Tit  (1)

Robin  (1)

Dunnock  (1)

TOTAL  (36)
Chiffchaff

Tuesday 22 September 2015

September 22nd ( mega find at Dungeness)


Empidonax flycatcher sp ,Dungeness,1700,showed well,even though it was raining for most of the time I was there.(most likely Acandian).

I knew about the birds presence at Dungeness at around mid day.I often look at the rare bird map most days,just out of general interest.It had been raining most of the morning and a quick glance out of the window confirmed it was still doing so.Should I go for it,or not,would it still be showing in such atrocious weather.I had these thoughts running through my mind right round until 1530,when I finally cracked,grabbed my bins and camera and went for it.All the way down to Dungeness the rain was getting heavier and the light poorer.I had thoughts,would it go to roost early,I almost turned back at one point.When I finally arrived and saw a gathering of several  hundred birders peering into a garden (south view cottage),I felt elated,that was until I was told it had not been on show for some time.After about fifteen minutes though the rain at long last eased and birders to my right said they could see the bird,but could I,No.Then at last it flew into my view,first perching below a bird table.Then even better on a satellite dish and garden bench.A few hand held,high iso photo`s later and I was well pleased.

Boy,was I pleased I hadn`t left it until today,Wednesday.I went to Rye with my daughter and Jeanette and on the way back home decided to call into Dungeness again to see the bird in better light (1300).When I arrived though,instead of  a large crowd,there was just a tv crew and Dave Walker present,The bird had apparently departed,or departed this earth over night.Why was that big red star still on show,that's the second time I have been caught out.Can the rare alert people not wait until the birds presence has been confirmed.

Thanks to the Plodding birder who found the bird and the owners of south view cottage for being so generous.


Sunday 20 September 2015

September 19th-20th (Sandwich)

Firecest
Breezy conditions Saturday,kept the total lower than it might have been.Although a total of  (174) birds ringed,was not to be sneezed at.Key species being Siskin (73) and Blackcap (61).Three Redpolls,usually an October bird,were hopefully a good sign for a much better year for the species than the last.

Clear overnight skies over most of Britain and almost calm conditions on Sunday saw birds streaming through the estate.Totals for the most prominent species being.Siskin (117),Blackcap (158),Chiffchaff (131),Meadow Pipit (35) and Lesser Redpoll (10).Goldcrests and one Firecrest added variety.The total for the day ended up at (494).The Siskin total for the month now stands at (1,111).
Great Spotted Woodpecker (immature,note the dull eye,a clue as to its age)

Sunday 13 September 2015

September 13th (Sandwich Bay)

Siskin and Sparrowhawk
0600-1200,rain stopped play.

There was a good variety of birds in the nets this morning.With Blackcap and Siskin making up the bulk of the catch.So far this autumn (640) Siskins have been ringed,which is well over the Kent record.

BIRD RINGED

Sparrowhawk  (1)

Great Spotted Woodpecker  (1)

Firecrest  (1)

Lesser Whitethroat  (1)

Goldfinch  (1)

Chiffchaff  (12)

Willow Warbler  (6)

Siskin  (77)

Swallow  (3)

House Martin  (1)

Dunnock  (1)

Blackcap  (74)

Goldcrest  (1)

Reed Warbler  (1)

Garden Warbler  (1)

Blue Tit  (6)

Great Tit  (2)

TOTAL  (190)

Friday 11 September 2015

September 5th-11th (Cornwall

Common Buzzards
 Last week Jeanette and I stayed in a cottage near Looe,Cornwall.

Med Gulls (adult and immature)
Raven and Chiffchaff
Seal and Shag
Wheatear and Rock Pipit