Dungeness Trip 30.11.09

A first visit of the year to Dungeness bird observatory and the local RSPB reserve today meant a 4.45am start to pick up local birder Graeme from Stortford before heading off for the joys of the M11, M25 and M20, all in pouring rain. An arrival at Dungeness beach at sunrise, 7.30 was great with a stiff breeze and steady drizzle.Immediately, into good birds with red breasted merganser, gannet and common scoter seen moving west and 35+ sanderling moving east. A solitary brent goose was also recorded along with 100's of gulls.

Before long the breeze etc drove us to the hides on the RSPB reserve where we knew certain unusual birds may be found. We were not disappointed with huge numbers of wildfowl, including 15+ pintails, mostly striking males along with a superb view of a solitary hen harrier over Dengemarsh. Here, as we approached the hide a great egret flew across the lake, my first views of this bird in the UK. Photos shown here of both little egret (with the black beak) and the much larger, if distant, great egret showing its diagnostic yellow beak and long neck. Note the yellow feet on the little egret. Our next target was to track down 2 glossy ibis, a most rare bird for Britain. After a short wait the showed well and are photographed here, if again, somewhat distantly. My second new UK bird for the day! A goshawk then made an entrance heading south and then east over the power station. A rare bird for Kent indeed and one that the bird observatory will require detailed sight records before it is accepted on their list. A tricky job as it was high and really only the size and shape were what gave us the goshawk impression. Much too large to be a sparrow hawk, so unsure what else it could have been. Marsh Harriers were witnessed on several occasions, most notably whilst we waited for a penduline tit that didn't appear. Shelduck, black tailed godwit, more wildfowl and most amazingly, a second bittern of the day. The latter flew in front of the Hanson Hide at the ARC pit. A superb sight.

From here we made our way back to the RSPB office for the car, but not before observing 3 chiffchaffs, a kestrel and a flock of redwings along with a single reed bunting. Off to the Lade Pit for a black necked grebe, of which we got very distant views. A red legged partridge seemed out of place on the shingle whereas a stonechat and skylark did not.

On to Scotney after a unsuccessful search of the trapping area but as we drove along the Lydd road an egret in a horse field caught our attention. A cattle egret! Another first for Graeme. At Scotney pits, the other side of Lydd hundreds of lapwings and golden plovers mingled with a redshank, wigeon and 80 barnacle geese. What a finish to the day as by now the light was fading and time to join the jam that was the M25. A superb day's birding. In all, a most respectful 77 species of bird were recorded, with much quality included.

Photos, from the top;

1. mute swan

2 - 9 the pair of glossy ibis

10. cormorant

11 - 13 great egret

14 Little egret

15 great egret

16 - 18 little egret

Please click on photos to enlarge.

Millennium Wood via Brick Kiln Hill 29.11.09

A rather damnp wander this morning, with the highlights being a small party of bullfinches; 4 males and 2 females at Millennium Wood. Also on show: many fieldfare (100+), Lesser black backed gulls,(5), common gulls(30+ on polo field) and black headed gull (45).

Several yellowhammers were observed in hedgerows around Hoe croft Lane.

Photos show hawthorn in rain and a view over the picnic bench at Millennium Wood.

27.11.09 Tescos back to The Ford via Green Street

A pleasant wander but with nothing particularly noteworthy. Fieldfares and redwings were evident thoughout the walk as were several parties of long tailed tits. A good sized party of goldfinches was also recorded. Photos attached show a view down Ford Hill, the old oak tree and a moon appearing over Brick Kiln Hill at 2.00pm.

25.11.09

A female sparrow hawk flew through the garden, causing a right fuss with blackbirds and jacdaws. This was at 8.30 am. First sighting in the garden.

Tawny Owls 19.11.09

Several tawny owls continue to call after 7.30pm from Brick Kiln Hill, opposite the Nags Head. Haver yet to manage a photo of this strictly nocturnal owl.

17th Nov. Tescos and return to Little Hadham North of A120

My 3rd walk in as many days and hoping for a sight of something different. Nothing unusual but at least 28 species including a party of 5 goldcrests in conifers along the River Ash. Heard more than seen. A check for firecrest was non productive! Otherwise the standard fare. The wintering skylarks were east of Hadham Hall (14+) and a solitary mistle thrush. Yellowhammers, greenfinches and goldfinches were in good numbers whilst jays again seemed to be everywhere.

However, a good day for fungi. I have less than limited knowledge of these and even with a good reference book find it hard to identify most species. Included here, a few photos of ones I have yet to identify accurately, and certainly not enough to pick and eat any!

Tesco's, Green Street and Brick Kiln Hill 16.11.09

Another morning walk with little to report. It is November after all! Good numbers of redwings overhead and in berry trees. Otherwise, a great spotted and green woodpeckers were highlights. Grey skies limited photography, too. In all a disappointing 21 species recorded for the 4 miles. Jays appeared to be ubiquitous. A view along the perimeter of East Wood shown here

15th November: Chapel Lane and golf course wander

A walk up Chapel Lane, through Westland Green and over the golf course to the club house was the order of the day. Usual autumnal residents were seen, with 22 species in all. 100+ fieldfares were recorded along with several yellowhammers and 2 pied wagtails near the club house. A kestrel hovered adjacent to the 18th fairway whilst a solitary female great spotted woodpecker was photographed along the footpath leading from Chapel Lane to Westland Green. However, the highlight were the colours found in the trees and hedgerow. Shown here are a couple of shots of a glorious beech hedge and a view along the back of the 2nd green.

Ridge and Ash Valley Golf course walk 06.11.09

A 7.30 start today, in grey light that was certainly not good for photography. A solitary single grey heron just merits inclusion here. A large covey (12+) of red legged partridges were flushed from a footpath across the golfcourse whilst overhead fieldfares numbered in excess of 100, heading south west. Several pied wagtails were observed on the greens and 12 redwings were seen along the Ridge footpath, heading west. Good views of green and great spotted woodpecker were had as well as plenty of sightings of skylark.

Another good find were several shaggy inkcap fungi. Unfortunately these were past their best for eating, but worth looking out for more examples in better, younger condition. Very tasty fried with a little butter. However, do not use this photo as a guide to identifying them as there are others that are similar that are poisonous!

Brick Kiln Hill to Hadham Hall 28.10.09

A good morning walk, with little that was particularly noteworthy. The colours of the leaves were by far the most memorable part of the walk, shown here.

A treecreeper along The Causeway was a good find, along with a calling nuthatch near one of Hadham Hall ponds. Good numbers of skylarks and linnets. Other atached photos show a damp blue tit and the level of the water at the largest irrigation lake that is east of Hadham Hall.