Category: Nature

We had 5 days in Yorkshire from the 28^th May and managed to see some new birds whilst there as well as some other regulars.

When we got there we saw a Dotterel walking around on a field at Beacon Hill.  Also there was a Chiffchaff bouncing around tree feeding it’s chicks in a nest.

Dotterel

At the Caravan site there was a Temminck’s Stint feeding in Thornwick Pool, which we saw in the fog from the hide.

Next day it was still foggy and we were going to go to Bempton Cliffs, but changed our mind and went to Spurn Nature Reserve.  We were lucky that a Golden Oriloe turned up and we tracked it down sitting in a bush.  I tried to get photo but it was too foggy and too far aware to get a good shot.  Whilst hunting for the Oriole saw a Roe Dear and Barnacle Geese, also a Swallow landed on a post in front of me.

Roe Deer

Swallow

Dark Bellied Brent Geese

Then we drove to Sammy’s Point and saw a Red Backed Shrike sitting on a wire fence.  Also we had an excellent view of a Spotted Flycatcher, which was flying up and catching insects and then returning to its bush.  A Whimbrel was sitting in the mud and three flew past, this was good as I needed it for my year list.

On day three we went to Filey and did some rock pooling and fossil hunting.  We saw various crabs (hermit, shore, edible and broad clawed crab), sea anemones, sea slug with eggs, sponge, butter fish and the highlight was a long clawed squat lobster.

Day four was Bempton Cliffs it was still foggy, but in the afternoon it finally cleared.  There were lots of Razorbills, Gillimots, Gannets, Fulmers and a few Puffins on the cliffs with a Shag flying through.  There were also Tree Sparrow and a Swallow nest at the centre.  We noticed plastic in some of the nests on the Cliffs, which mentioned on a previous post.

Tree Sparrow

Razorbill

Puffin

Kittiwake

Jackdaw

Hidden Puffin

Gullimot

Gannet

We then went to Thornwick Bay after and saw a Red Backed Shrike on a bush and a Curlew Sandpiper in the Pool, which put me on 199 for the year.

Meadow Pipit

Little Ringed Plover

On day five we stopped off at Rutland Water to see Osprey.  I spotted one flying over Lagoon 4, this made it my 200^th bird for the year.  Also at Rutland we managed to get a good view of a Garganey and were lucky to hear and then see a Nightingale fly, which was a great end to our week’s holiday.

Garganey

Cardinal Beetle

Opsrey

Today I was determined to get 100 in a day.

We set off at 3am and the first bird we heard was a Tawny Owl. We went to the heath near Minsmere and were predicting what bird we would see first. The aim of going out that early was to find a Nightjar. Whilst walking Bitterns were booming a Cuckoo was calling and the Nightjars were reeling.  We were tracking the Nightjar listening to the call.  Eventually we found one half an hour later and a one turned into a three, all circling around us for a minute until they disappeared back into the heath.

Muntjac Deer

Then we went to see the Stone Curlews, which we found in a field.  Walking back we saw Bullfinch, Garden Warbler and Chiffchaff in a tree bounding around.

Chiffchaff

We diverted down a track to find a Dartford Warbler with three Stonechats hopping around on some gorse bushes.

Dartford Warbler

After that we were looking out for Tree Pipit and Woodlark, unfortunately we only found the Woodlark.  It was about five o’clock and we were up to 40 different species.

Then we went to Minsmere and went straight to the Isle of Mere Hide managing to see and hear the Savi’s Warbler calling.  Marsh Harriers where gracefully flying and Bearded Tits, Reed & Sedge Warblers hopped around the reeds.

Sedge Warbler

Whist walking out we saw a broad bodied dragonfly on a reed glowing yellow.

Broad Bodied Chaser

When we were on the path to North Hide there was a Turtle Dove calling, we hunted for it but it was too buried in the bushes to see it.

Speckled Wood Butterfly

Then went up to the breach and saw a least 200 Common Scoter fly past and also in the water.  Also there was Little, Sandwich and Common Terns flying around.  We had a variety of ducks and geese, gulls and waders on the scrape.  When we got back to the centre by 10:45 we had 86 species of birds.  Our next challenge was to find a Nightingale, we heard one singing but it didn’t show itself.  We did however have a glorious view of a Yellow Hammer and we was luckily enough that a Turtle Dove flew over as well.

Yellow Hammer

We were missing Collard Dove, Starling and House Sparrow so we went to a local town and got them.  Then going to Blyth River to get a few more waders and got Egyptian Geese and Common Sandpiper.

Finally we went to Colton Marshes to find our 100^th bird and try to see the American Bittern, which after couple hours we managed to see.  Our 100^th bird was a Yellow Wagtail that flew past whilst waiting for the Bittern.  On the way back we saw a Barn Owl and a Cuckoo.  We finally got 107 birds, we saw 101 and the other 6 we only heard.

Today we had a good day at Rainham Marshes, spring looks to have finally arrived.  Here a couple photo’s that I took whilst walking around.  A Great White Egret was hunting for fish popping up and down in the ditches.  My first Common Lizard of the year was between two boards and had to lie down to capture the photo.

A day out at Dungeness on an organised trip started at 7am with views of a Merlin flying over. Walking to the beach a Black Redstart was hopping around the power station wall with a White Wagtail.

B

At the beach we had Gannets, Sandwich & Common Turns and a Common Scoter flying near the horizon. A distant Razorbill bobbed up and down in the water and a Glaucous Gull was sitting the beach.

Walking back there were a few Wheatear flying around near the old lighthouse.  Towards the bird observatory I spotted a Fieldfare sitting on a post and Redwings flew over.  Several Song Thrushes were singing.  A Peregrine was sitting on a pylon but because of the angle we could only see a foot, then as we were walking it flew off.  We also had Firecrest bouncing around the gorse and took some photos.  A Swallow flew over which was the first of the year for some of the group.

Firecrest

There was not much about on the reserve of ARC Hide.  Tree Sparrows and Great Spotted Woodpecker was near the entrance.

Great Spotted Woodpecker

A pair of Smooth Newts where in the nature garden near the centre.

Smooth Newt

Green Woodpeckers laughed in the distance.  Our guide spotted a Ring Ouzel and I was fortunate to spot it before disappeared into the bushes.  Ravens flew and a Little Ringed Plover hopped around.   I was surprised to hear a Cuckoo call whilst watching Marsh Harriers flying at the Denge Marsh Hide.  Two Great Crested Grebes danced with some reed.

Great Crested Grebe

Some Bearded Tits pinged at lookout point. Under the plates we saw a Vole scurrying around.

Vole

When we was leaving the reserve a Curlew popped his head up.

Finally at the ARC Hide I managed to get my daily total of birds up to 83, if could have been higher but we did not have many migrants and the visibility was poor.

Oystercatchers

On the way home we popped into Oare Marshes to try and get my daily total up to 100 with some waders but just missed.  With Dunlin, Godwits, Ruff, Avocet, Spotted Redshank we got close but only up to a total of 96.  May next time we will get a 100 in a day.

Today we had a good day at Minsmere, it started with a close Glossy Ibis  and ended with excellent views of a Firecrest.  During the day we saw a Bittern sneak out near the Island of Mere Hide.  A Muntjac wondered in front of us as we noticed a badger foot ptint in the mud.

Black Headed Gull

Glossy Ibis

Bittern

Little Egret

Avocet

Muntjac Deer

Firecrest

Badger Print

Had a walk round Rainham today, was very cold.  There was not too much on the frozen reserve, most was on the river.  I was lucky to hand feed a tame robin.

Was amusing watching a mute swan walk across the ice, dropped through couple times and got back up, then continued to the part that was not frozen.

Had really good view of Hawfinch, Dipper, Buzzard, Great Grey Shrike, Raven and Nutatch today in and around the Forest of Dean.

Also saw a Wild Boar sitting under a tree having a rest.

Was a good, but long day out exploring.