Wednesday, 28 April 2010
I thought I had struck lucky yesterday when I photographed a Cetti`s Warbler out in the open for the first time,rather than being partly obscured in a bush or by some sort of vegetation.
However when I looked at the camera screen it was black,I hadn`t reset the exposure from f8 at 1250 sec,not the best of exposures for a bird in shade.So this morning I was back at Brookland
lake to try again.The bird was still performing well and I didn`t have to wait too long before it showed again,only this time the light was quite poor but at least I have my photo and there is aways tomorrow.
However when I looked at the camera screen it was black,I hadn`t reset the exposure from f8 at 1250 sec,not the best of exposures for a bird in shade.So this morning I was back at Brookland
lake to try again.The bird was still performing well and I didn`t have to wait too long before it showed again,only this time the light was quite poor but at least I have my photo and there is aways tomorrow.
Tuesday, 27 April 2010
On the way back from Rye this morning Jeanette and I popped into Dungeness RSPB.As we were passing one of the pits Jeanette noticed a big bird fly into the reeds.I stopped the car and had a scan around and was amazed when a Purple Heron came into view.I just managed a rather distant photo before it took flight.Unfortunately we couldn`t hang around and had to head off home,this was my first sighting of the species in Britain.
Saturday, 24 April 2010
April 24th (New Hythe)
Remaining clear and warm.I was ringing this morning between 6.am-9.am.
Birds ringed - Nightingale 4,Blackbird 1,Great Tit 2,Blue Tit 2,Dunnock 3,Wren 1,Blackcap 3.
Retraps Whitethroat (1) ringed as a young bird in the east scrub on 6-8-09.
Great Tit (2) both ringed in the east scrub as young birds on 23-9-09
20-1-09
My garden total so far for Reed Buntings (ringed) since the beginning of the year is 39 (31 female) and (8 male).
Birds ringed - Nightingale 4,Blackbird 1,Great Tit 2,Blue Tit 2,Dunnock 3,Wren 1,Blackcap 3.
Retraps Whitethroat (1) ringed as a young bird in the east scrub on 6-8-09.
Great Tit (2) both ringed in the east scrub as young birds on 23-9-09
20-1-09
My garden total so far for Reed Buntings (ringed) since the beginning of the year is 39 (31 female) and (8 male).
Friday, 23 April 2010
I was out at New Hythe today between 1.pm-2.15pm,I followed the river path round the sunken marsh and then continued through the hawthorns opposite Eccles island to the far bunker and then back again.
Birds noted amongst others - Peregrine,Shelduck 7,Oystercatcher 2,Green Sandpiper1,Med Gull 1,Reed Warbler 3 (first this spring) Stock Dove 4 and Linnet 1.
Birds noted amongst others - Peregrine,Shelduck 7,Oystercatcher 2,Green Sandpiper1,Med Gull 1,Reed Warbler 3 (first this spring) Stock Dove 4 and Linnet 1.
Wednesday, 21 April 2010
Sunday, 18 April 2010
By the time I had reached the forest at 6.30am the fog had thankfully lifted at least from the higher ground to reveal a beautiful spring day.Most of the time I had was spent in the Old Lodge reserve,although I did walk out onto the more open areas of the forest several times where in past years I had found Dartford Warbler.This visit though was to prove unsuccessful,I wasn`t that surprised due to the fact we have just been through one of the harshest winters in many years and the species must have been knocked back very hard.
Thursday, 15 April 2010
A visit today between 8.am-10.am still that cold northeast and cloud first thing but then slowly clearing.
As I walked under the bridge at Brookland I could hear the now familiar song of Blackcap and Cetti`s Warbler.The river from the small wood revealed 2 Shelduck,3 Coot,6 Mallard and 2 Herring Gulls.I then walked round the sunken marsh where a Chiffchaff,2 Cetti`s and 2 Bullfinch were seen and my first Cuckoo of the spring,it or another was heard a little while later across the river at Burham.I then walked on through the hawthorns,first stopping to look at the river again in the area of Eccles creek,no Oystercatchers today,just 2 Herring Gulls and 1 Stock Dove.Two more Bullfinches, 2 Blackcaps,2 Chiffs and 2 L T Tits followed but no sign of the Lesser Whitethroat that was first seen a few days ago.I then had a look at Abbey Mead where there was a few Swallows,Sand Martins and 2 House Martin and at least 20 Tufted Duck, 8 Coot,2 G C Grebe and 4 Mallard.The east and west scrub Willow warblers were still in full song but other than that I just had 1 Song Thrush,1 Green Woodpecker,a Blackbird and a few Great and Blue tits.However just as a came out of the west scrub I caught sight of two birds flying quickly through over towards Abbey Mead,I at first took them to be Terns but when I looked through my bins I had thoughts of Little Gull.I then ran or walked as fast as my ageing legs would carry me back to Abbey Mead and there amongst a small flock of B h Gulls was indeed two Little Gulls,rather disappointingly though they kept just out of camera range but I did manage a few record shots.Then when I was nearly back at the car in the reeds quite close to the fishermens hut I heard and saw a Sedge Warbler.Quite a nice improvement over the last few days,roll on the weekend when the wind is due to change.
I met Eddie Denson at the start of my walk,he had just completed his (an early riser) he told me that yesterday he had seen a male Marsh Harrier flying down the river at 6.30am.
No Nightingales or Whitethroats were heard this morning.
As I walked under the bridge at Brookland I could hear the now familiar song of Blackcap and Cetti`s Warbler.The river from the small wood revealed 2 Shelduck,3 Coot,6 Mallard and 2 Herring Gulls.I then walked round the sunken marsh where a Chiffchaff,2 Cetti`s and 2 Bullfinch were seen and my first Cuckoo of the spring,it or another was heard a little while later across the river at Burham.I then walked on through the hawthorns,first stopping to look at the river again in the area of Eccles creek,no Oystercatchers today,just 2 Herring Gulls and 1 Stock Dove.Two more Bullfinches, 2 Blackcaps,2 Chiffs and 2 L T Tits followed but no sign of the Lesser Whitethroat that was first seen a few days ago.I then had a look at Abbey Mead where there was a few Swallows,Sand Martins and 2 House Martin and at least 20 Tufted Duck, 8 Coot,2 G C Grebe and 4 Mallard.The east and west scrub Willow warblers were still in full song but other than that I just had 1 Song Thrush,1 Green Woodpecker,a Blackbird and a few Great and Blue tits.However just as a came out of the west scrub I caught sight of two birds flying quickly through over towards Abbey Mead,I at first took them to be Terns but when I looked through my bins I had thoughts of Little Gull.I then ran or walked as fast as my ageing legs would carry me back to Abbey Mead and there amongst a small flock of B h Gulls was indeed two Little Gulls,rather disappointingly though they kept just out of camera range but I did manage a few record shots.Then when I was nearly back at the car in the reeds quite close to the fishermens hut I heard and saw a Sedge Warbler.Quite a nice improvement over the last few days,roll on the weekend when the wind is due to change.
I met Eddie Denson at the start of my walk,he had just completed his (an early riser) he told me that yesterday he had seen a male Marsh Harrier flying down the river at 6.30am.
No Nightingales or Whitethroats were heard this morning.
Tuesday, 13 April 2010
Monday, 12 April 2010
April 12th (New Hythe)
A visit today between 8.am-9.30,a rather cold northerly wind blew which curtailed a lot of the bird song.Birds of note today were my first of the spring singles of Common Whitethroat (east scrub) Lesser Whitethroat (hawthorns along by the river) and House Martin over the (Brookland car-park).Other birds seen amongst others was a Sparrowhawk over Abbey Mead, a Linnet in the east scrub,a Kingfisher along the millstream and 2 Shelduck and 4 Teal along the river.The Whooper Swan remains on Tesco lake.
Friday, 9 April 2010
PAST TIMES (APRIL 1980)
WILDFOWL Greylag 3 pairs at Leybourne,1 at New Hythe(first year of breeding in the area).Shelduck 10 at New Hythe on 8th,with 52 at Burham on 19th.Goldeneye the imm bird present at New Hythe all through March was last seen on 14th.Shoveler 2 pairs at New Hythe on 25th.Pochard last seen on 2nd (4).
WADERS Curlew single birds at New Hythe on 1st and 11th.Dunlin 15 at New Hythe on 1st.Ringed Plover up to 4 at New Hythe all month.L R Plover pair at New Hythe from 14th.Common Sandpiper 1 at New Hythe on 27th,with 2 on 30th.Ruff one at New Hythe on 21st.
TERNS Common Tern singles at New Hythe on 23rd and 30th,the latter bird was oiled.
WAGTAILS Yellow Wagtail 1 at New Hythe 0n 9th,2 on 11th,with 5 on 23rd,B h Wagtail 1 at New Hythe on 21st.
CHATS AND THRUSHES Wheatear a pair at New Hythe on March 30th,with 3 birds on April 2nd.Nightingale 1 at Eccles on 14th,with 5 by the 16th.
WARBLERS Willow Warbler 2 early birds at New Hythe on 1st,with 1 at Leybourne on 2nd, single northern birds were ringed at Eccles on 19th and 26th.Chiffchaff first recorded at New Hythe on 12th,(2).Blackcap first recorded at New Hythe on 12th.Sedge Warbler first recorded at New Hythe on 12th.Whitethroat 1 bird on 30th.Lesser Whitethroat no records.
SWALLOWS MARTINS AND SWIFTS Sand Martin 3 at New Hythe on 2nd 25 on 11th,with 500 on 16th and 250 on 21st.House Martin seen from the 19th.Swallow small numbers recorded all month from the 10th.Swift 4 at New Hythe on the 30th.CUCKOO,first heard at New Hythe on 25th.KINGFISHER at least 2 at New Hythe all month.FINCHES Linnet up to 40 at New Hythe all month.R L Partridge pair at New Hythe all month.
Weather from the 11th - 16th,it was mainly warm,with southerly winds (many birds came in during this period) colder,with north to northeast winds thereafter until end of the month.
WADERS Curlew single birds at New Hythe on 1st and 11th.Dunlin 15 at New Hythe on 1st.Ringed Plover up to 4 at New Hythe all month.L R Plover pair at New Hythe from 14th.Common Sandpiper 1 at New Hythe on 27th,with 2 on 30th.Ruff one at New Hythe on 21st.
TERNS Common Tern singles at New Hythe on 23rd and 30th,the latter bird was oiled.
WAGTAILS Yellow Wagtail 1 at New Hythe 0n 9th,2 on 11th,with 5 on 23rd,B h Wagtail 1 at New Hythe on 21st.
CHATS AND THRUSHES Wheatear a pair at New Hythe on March 30th,with 3 birds on April 2nd.Nightingale 1 at Eccles on 14th,with 5 by the 16th.
WARBLERS Willow Warbler 2 early birds at New Hythe on 1st,with 1 at Leybourne on 2nd, single northern birds were ringed at Eccles on 19th and 26th.Chiffchaff first recorded at New Hythe on 12th,(2).Blackcap first recorded at New Hythe on 12th.Sedge Warbler first recorded at New Hythe on 12th.Whitethroat 1 bird on 30th.Lesser Whitethroat no records.
SWALLOWS MARTINS AND SWIFTS Sand Martin 3 at New Hythe on 2nd 25 on 11th,with 500 on 16th and 250 on 21st.House Martin seen from the 19th.Swallow small numbers recorded all month from the 10th.Swift 4 at New Hythe on the 30th.CUCKOO,first heard at New Hythe on 25th.KINGFISHER at least 2 at New Hythe all month.FINCHES Linnet up to 40 at New Hythe all month.R L Partridge pair at New Hythe all month.
Weather from the 11th - 16th,it was mainly warm,with southerly winds (many birds came in during this period) colder,with north to northeast winds thereafter until end of the month.
Thursday, 8 April 2010
A walk round New Hythe during the morning produced little in the way of change from yesterday,apart from there now being 3 Willow Warblers.
Before I went home I looked in on Holborough marsh.In the Hawthorn scrub a Nightingale and Willow Warbler were singing and the north field produced,6 Teal,4 Mallard and a pair of Gadwall.
During the afternoon 4 Common Buzzards were seen above the Downs at Burham.
Before I went home I looked in on Holborough marsh.In the Hawthorn scrub a Nightingale and Willow Warbler were singing and the north field produced,6 Teal,4 Mallard and a pair of Gadwall.
During the afternoon 4 Common Buzzards were seen above the Downs at Burham.
April 8th (Cuxton,river and pools)
1.pm - 2.pm,river low-tide, birds seen - Shelduck 6,Oystercatcher 2 and B h Gull 60+.
Pools - Teal 8,Shelduck 3 and Pied Wagtail 1.
Pools - Teal 8,Shelduck 3 and Pied Wagtail 1.
Wednesday, 7 April 2010
I had a walk out on Halling Common between 1.pm-2.pm,it was overcast with a light drizzle but calm and mild.
Birds seen amongst others - Greylag 2,Canada Goose 2,Mallard 6,Shelduck 6,Curlew 1,Oystercatcher 1,Green Woodpecker 2,Med Gull 1,Heron 2,Sparrowhawk 1,Wheatear 1,Yellowhammer 1,Kingfisher 1 and Meadow Pipit 2.
Birds seen amongst others - Greylag 2,Canada Goose 2,Mallard 6,Shelduck 6,Curlew 1,Oystercatcher 1,Green Woodpecker 2,Med Gull 1,Heron 2,Sparrowhawk 1,Wheatear 1,Yellowhammer 1,Kingfisher 1 and Meadow Pipit 2.
Tuesday, 6 April 2010
Clear and quite warm,moderate southerly.
I was out between 8.am-9.30am birds of note were - Sparrowhawk 2,male and female,both seen over Abbey Mead,Water Rail 1 calling in the sunken marsh,Pheasant 1 on the edge of the sunken marsh,Bullfinch 2 in the Hawthorns along by the river,Common Sandpiper 1,Pied Wagtail one at Brookland lake,with 2 along the millstream,Chiffchaff 10,most of which were in the Abbey Meads area,Willow Warbler,singles in the east and west scrub and Blackcap 10,six of which were in the Abbey Meads area,with 4 along the millstream (41 species)
The Whooper Swan was seen on Tesco lake during the afternoon.
April 4th 1983, New Hythe - 2 short-eared Owls roosting in the Corkscrew Willows (streamside lake)
4 Ringed Plover in the area,1 Willow Warbler and 1 Sand Martin.
Three Med Gulls flew over the garden on the 4th.
I was out between 8.am-9.30am birds of note were - Sparrowhawk 2,male and female,both seen over Abbey Mead,Water Rail 1 calling in the sunken marsh,Pheasant 1 on the edge of the sunken marsh,Bullfinch 2 in the Hawthorns along by the river,Common Sandpiper 1,Pied Wagtail one at Brookland lake,with 2 along the millstream,Chiffchaff 10,most of which were in the Abbey Meads area,Willow Warbler,singles in the east and west scrub and Blackcap 10,six of which were in the Abbey Meads area,with 4 along the millstream (41 species)
The Whooper Swan was seen on Tesco lake during the afternoon.
April 4th 1983, New Hythe - 2 short-eared Owls roosting in the Corkscrew Willows (streamside lake)
4 Ringed Plover in the area,1 Willow Warbler and 1 Sand Martin.
Three Med Gulls flew over the garden on the 4th.
Saturday, 3 April 2010
On the way back from Rye Jeanette and I called in at Dungeness on the off-chance that the Penduline Tits would be showing.As luck would have it that were,all three birds,in the usual spot near the Hanson Hide at the end of the Willow Trail path.Not a very good photo,but at least I caught up with them at long last.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)