Birding Essex, Suffolk & Norfolk with DDL

   On my most recent return trip from Paris I spent the afternoon and following morning birding with DDL around London and East Anglia. There were a few interesting species on offer for us to look for, and the weather was not too unpleasant so we had a very enjoyable session visiting a few sites.

  We started near the village of St Osyth in Essex, where there had been a group of four Dotterel in a field between the village and Colne Point. They did not take us too long to track down, as they are quite conspicuous in the open habitat. Still they were distant and we had some issues with heat haze in the late morning. Fortunately in the hour we spent there the birds decided to walk closer towards us and in the end we had truly excellent views. We decided that there were two males and to females, although the bird news services instead reported only one female. This is only the third time I have seen this very attractive species and the first time I have seen multiple individuals.

  Next we decided to continue up the East Anglia coast to Suffolk, where at least one Purple Heron had been utilising one of the reedbeds at North Warren RSPB. It took us a while to work out exactly where we needed to watch from, but we eventually worked it out. As we arrived a photographer/birder was present, who said that he had been present since 06:00 and had not seen the bird until 12:30. Given how elusive Purple Herons are known to be, I suspected that we might be in for a long afternoon. Fortunately that was not the case, as the bird came out of the reeds and looped around after less than hour and in the mean time we were entertained by six Hobbys. Sadly the heron did not stay airborne for long, dropping back in after only around 15 seconds. Still, Purple Heron is a British tick for me!

  Whilst we were waiting for the heron, news broke of the nomadic Booted Eagle being seen an hour away on the Norfolk/Suffolk border in an area we planned to visit anyway due to good numbers of Red-footed Falcons in the area. We headed up but despite spending the rest of the day there we had no joy tracking down the eagle, which had probably moved on by the time we reached the site anyway. Because we spent most of our time chasing dubious eagle sightings, we did not track down any Red-footed Falcons.

  The following morning we birded an area of Ancient Woodland on the outskirts of London. While there was nothing rare of the calibre of the previous day, we enjoyed some nice Garden Warblers and a family party of Treecreepers that were energetically feeding all around us. After this I headed back into central London on my way back north to Yorkshire. 

-Eurasian Dotterel

-Purple Heron

-Garden Warbler

Species List:
St Osyth: Common Shelduck, Mallard, Common Pheasant, Red-legged Partridge, Stock Dove, Common Wood Pigeon, Eurasian Collared Dove, Common Swift, Eurasian Oystercatcher, Eurasian Dotterel, Northern Lapwing, Eurasian Whimbrel, European Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Western Marsh Harrier, Common Buzzard, European Green Woodpecker, Eurasian Magpie, Rook, Carrion Crow, Great Tit, Eurasian Skylark, Barn Swallow, Common Chiffchaff, Cetti's Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, Common Whitethroat, Eurasian Wren, Common Starling, Common Blackbird, European Robin, Dunnock, Western Yellow Wagtail, Common Linnet, European Goldfinch, Common Reed Bunting,
RSPB North Warren: Greylag Goose, Mallard, Common Wood Pigeon, Common Cuckoo, Common Swift, Eurasian Coot, Northern Lapwing, Common Redshank, Black-headed Gull, European Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Great Egret, Purple Heron, Western Marsh Harrier, Common Buzzard, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Common Kestrel, Eurasian Hobby, Eurasian Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Eurasian Blue Tit, Great Tit, Eurasian Skylark, Common Reed Warbler, Sand Martin, Barn Swallow, Common Chiffchaff, Cetti's Warbler, Long-tailed Tit, Eurasian Blackcap, Garden Warbler, Goldcrest, Eurasian Wren, Common Blackbird, European Robin, European Stonechat, Dunnock, Eurasian Chaffinch, Common Linnet, European Goldfinch,
Burgh St Peter: Greylag Goose, Mute Swan, Common Pheasant, Stock Dove, Common Wood Pigeon, Common Swift, Eurasian Oystercatcher, Common Redshank, European Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Grey Heron, Western Marsh Harrier, Common Buzzard, Common Kestrel, Eurasian Hobby, Eurasian Jay, Western Jackdaw, Eurasian Blue Tit, Great Tit, Eurasian Skylark, Sand Martin, Common Chiffchaff, Cetti's Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, Common Whitethroat, Eurasian Wren, Mistle Thrush, Common Blackbird, European Robin, House Sparrow, Pied Wagtail, Eurasian Chaffinch, Common Linnet, European Goldfinch,
Cely Woods: Common Pheasant, Stock Dove, Common Wood Pigeon, Common Swift, Eurasian Coot, European Herring Gull, Great Cormorant, Great Spotted Woodpecker, European Green Woodpecker, Rose-ringed Parakeet, Western Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Eurasian Blue Tit, Great Tit, Eurasian Skylark, Barn Swallow, Common Chiffchaff, Long-tailed Tit, Eurasian Blackcap, Garden Warbler, Common Whitethroat, Eurasian Treecreeper, Eurasian Wren, Common Starling, Song Thrush, Common Blackbird, European Robin, Dunnock, Eurasian Chaffinch, Common Linnet, European Goldfinch, 

Soil Hill & Whiteholme; Week 12th July - 18th July

Soil Hill

  It was an enjoyable but typical week on Soil Hill, with the heatwave meaning only early morning birding was a realistic option. The undoubted highlight of the week was a Hobby that came blasting through late morning on the 13^th. It delayed initially to chase down a Meadow Pipit, but soon abandoned the pursuit and left in a SE direction. This is only the second one I have ever seen here, and the first time I have managed to get a picture.

  Late summer migrants included a juvenile Great Spotted Woodpecker that flew N on the 15^th, only briefly stopping on a lamppost on Taylor Lane. A pair of Bullfinch were in the scrub along Ned Hill Track on the 16^th, but not subsequently. Willow Warbler numbers began to increase during the week with 9 present on the 17^th. It was also nice to confirm that Blackcap have bred this year, with a female attending to a recently fledged juvenile in the Koi Farm Copse on the 24^th.

-Eurasian Hobby

Whiteholme Reservoir

I only visited the reservoir twice this week but on both occasions it was very productive with some interesting species present. On the 12^th July, in constant drizzle, it was nice to find two drake Common Scoters sitting in the middle of the reservoir. Whilst I was there a Whimbrel dropped in on the large expanse of shoreline in the SW corner of the water. Although the views were good through the scope the bird itself was not approachable and my photos were limited to distant record shots. The following day on the 13^th I returned to find the scoter gone and the wader contingent being limited to a handful of Dunlin. A Willow Warbler did appear on the dam wall which is the first that I have seen here. As I was leaving I checked Blackstone Edge reservoir and here was a distant flock of 29 Common Scoters, a brilliant sight to observe on an inland reservoir. 

-Common Scoter

-Whimbrel

-Common Scoter

Species List:
Soil Hill: Canada Goose, Mallard, Common Pheasant, Red-legged Partridge, Feral Pigeon, Stock Dove, Common Wood Pigeon, Common Swift, Common Moorhen, Northern Lapwing, Common Snipe, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Peregrine Falcon, Common Kestrel, Eurasian Hobby, Eurasian Magpie, Western Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Eurasian Blue Tit, Great Tit, Eurasian Skylark, Common Grasshopper Warbler, Barn Swallow, Willow Warbler, Eurasian Blackcap, Common Whitethroat, Eurasian Wren, Common Starling, Mistle Thrush, Common Blackbird, European Robin, Dunnock, House Sparrow, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Common Chaffinch, Eurasian Bullfinch, European Greenfinch, Common Linnet, European Goldfinch, Common Reed Bunting, 
Whiteholme Reservoir: Canada Goose, Eurasian Teal, Common Scoter, Common Swift, Little Ringed Plover, Eurasian Whimbrel, Eurasian Curlew, Dunlin, Common Sandpiper, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Carrion Crow, Eurasian Wren, Northern Wheatear, Willow Warbler, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Common Reed Bunting, 

A few days at Spurn

Got a message from Tim on Thursday asking if I wanted to go for some LSWs. We did and failed but he convinced me to go to Spurn for a few days. I had to come back on the Saturday for a 21st but the conditions looked great and he was confident there would be plenty of birds.

Sadly it did not materialise like that. There were 3 good birds over the weekend, but only 1 of which I managed to connect with; Turtle Dove (Bee-eater and Serin the others). Another Turtle Dove however is always great and appreciated. 

There were good birds about. On the first day I got to see my Little Terns again after a long time apart and spurn-ticked Garganey with two on Holderness fields. An evening walk down the canal yielded Cuckoo, fantastic views of Hobby and Spurns first Spotted Flycatcher of the year. Other year-ticks included Lesser Whitethroat and Whimbrel. 

Day two I decided to do sammies early morning and missed Serin for my troubles. The only decent birds I got in return were Tree Pipit and Short Eared Owl. The day was hot and with no birds grounded it was hard work. A short walk down the point was made but the only notable sighting was a pair of Common Lizards possibly fighting, but looks like a male and female (?), on the road which were very preoccupied and easy to view.

Day three was shrouded in sea fret but a few birds had dropped in. Spotted Flycatchers had increased and I had my first Whinchat of the year. The Turtle Dove was also today, although the view was only brief sadly. Something of a Spurn mega on wetlands with a Canada Goose thats apparently set up for the last month or so...

-Little Tern

-Garganey

-Hobby

-Lesser Whitethroat

-Short-eared Owl

-Common Lizard

-Whinchat

-Spotted Flycatcher

-Canada Goose

-Brown Hare

Species List:
Spurn Bird Observatory: Blue Tit, Oystercatcher, Blackbird, Robin, House Sparrow, Collard Dove, Swallow, Dunnock, Carrion Crow, Whimbrel, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Starling, Mallard, Greylag Goose, Mute Swan, Avocet, Shelduck, Skylark, Pied Wagtail, Little Grebe, Ringed Plover, Little Tern, Garganey, Sandwich Tern, Little Egret, Common Tern, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Black-tailed Godwit, Turnstone, Dunlin, Wigeon, Sand Martin, Gadwall, Yellow Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Reed Bunting, Linnet, Bar-tailed Godwit, Kestrel, Lesser Whitethroat, Whitethroat, Spotted Flycatcher, Hobby, Cuckoo, Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler, Reed Bunting, Starling, Short-eared Owl, Wheatear, Tree Pipit, Cormorant, Common Sandpiper, Grey Plover, Jackdaw, Whinchat, Canada Goose,

Kent - Triple Lifer Day

Of course, as soon as I could I made my move for the Oriental Turtle Dove in Kent. It was only right, given its a species I have long wanted to see, seemed predictable in its pattern and was particularly expensive to get to (Less than £50 for a journey into Kent is not bad). Its my first ever visit into the south-east so that alone was something I was excited about. I was very excited for the whole thing in fact.

I set off from my house at 01.00 to get a taxi to Meadowhall to get my coach into London. Once in London I made the short walk from the coach station to Victoria train station where I got a half an hour train to Otford where the dove was residing. I was on site by half 6 in the morning, the earliest I could have realistically been. I swear I only got about two hours kip on the coach, and I did have fears for how my body would hold up, but fortunately I was fine until the train back to London in the evening.

In the three hour morning wait the Dove showed for a grand total of 5 seconds at 7.30. Super looking bird and well worth the trip down, but sadly a little brief. It spent all its time in the garden feeding out of sight. I was obviously a little disappointed at its showing but I knew I was coming back later in the day and fancied my chances then. Plus I'd seen it, and there are plenty of birders who have not. Also on site were a couple of Ring-necked Parakeets, and commoner garden species. 

-Oriental Turtle Dove

It was also great to meet a few of the Norfolk NGB's there, who arrived just in time to see the bird. In total we managed to clock up just over 30 species for the site during the time there.

When it became apparent that the bird was not going to show again I made my move. I had decided to get the train down to Tonbridge and walk along the river, as a couple of European Turtle Doves had been seen there over the last couple of days, and as my biggest tarts tick I felt this needed attention. From Tonbridge, once I connected (or not) with any doves I had planned to go to a country park near Maidenhead for Nightingale but when I suddenly learnt that would take an absurd amount of time I decided instead to walk from Tonbridge to Paddock Wood train station along the river Medway, before getting the train back to Otford for the evening.

Once I gathered my bearings in Tonbridge I was soon out into the countryside along the river. I quickly picked up my first Swift of the year, followed by both Sedge and Reed Warbler. Oddly I also had my first Robin and Great Tit fledglings of the year, showing just how much faster things really do move down south.

The river walk was lovely. I was surrounded by singing Whitethroat, Yellowhammer, Wren, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Willow Warbler, Sedge Warbler and Cuckoo, although I failed to see the later species. I was also serenaded by Turtle Dove. I was strolling along and suddenly I picked up on the purring sound coming from the trees across the river. However it stopped too quickly and I lost any location I had on it. It took it 20 mins or so to start again but by then I had already picked it up in the top tree, badly backed against the light and rather distant. Through the scope the views were fantastic but I sadly failed to get that with the camera.

Its so sad to think this is my first ever Turtle Dove, but I guess thats a sign of the times. Its such a smart bird it really is so sad whats happened to them. But I finally connected with one and got to spend a good hour watching it chill in the top of the tree. Given the poor conditions I only included a couple of my record shots, no point using up data.

Double Turtle Dove lifer day...

-European Turtle Dove

The weather was on point today, with glorious sunshine and barely any wind. It was lovely. There were plenty of butterflies on the wing, including Holly Blue, Speckled Wood, Orange Tip and Peacock.

Continuing along the walk I had a bird whizz over my head. It only took a short view to realise it was in fact a Hobby, my first of the year and very exciting too. It circled a couple of times over the field allowing me to get a few nice record shots of what was probably my best unexpected species of the day looking back. A really nice surprise.

-Hobby

I had looked on the Kent Bird Club sightings page before I left and found a few bits and pieces on an old gravel pits near paddock wood at the end of my walk, so I decided to call in there. A few Nightingales were reported there and since I had now ruled out going to Maidenhead it seemed like my best chance of seeing one. The site was really smart, although there were fewer waterbirds than I imagined for the quality of the site. However, the bushes were full song and it did not take long for me to pick out a Nightingale. I headed over to where it had called from and somehow managed to miss it, only spotting its bright red rump flying away from me. However, with some persistence I did manage to get a shot of it sat out in the almost open. Lifer number three. Whilst I waited I also got another yeartick when two Common Tern flew overhead.

-Common Tern

-Nightingale

Although the bird itself proved elusive during my hour trying to get a photo of it, it kept singing the whole time and that song was beautiful, really pleasant to listen to. 

I had not quite realised but the walk between the stations was well over 10km, and with carring the tripod on my shoulder, wearing two jackets as it was cold when I set off and all my gear in my backpack, I was more than a little exhausted when I stumbled into the station. Still, I got half an hours sit down as I made my way back to Otford. On the way I recieved a notification informing me of the bird showing again.

And when I arrived on site it was doing just that, siting out fairly well in an area we could get much closer to it than before. The only downside was the light was against us but that was only an issue for photographers. For me, a good record shot is all I ask and I definately got that. Through the scope I got fantastic views of the bird preening as well as moving round. All in all I got everything I wanted. What a superb bird.

-Oriental Turtle Dove

The Parakeets also kept appearing, with one bird sitting out in the open so much it would have been rude not to take a photo...

-Ring-necked Parakeet

My coach back left London at half 8, so I left the Dove at 19.00 to make sure I was there in good time. By that time the bird had dropped back into the garden and with the light continuing to fade there really was not worth staying for.

I arrived back home in Sheffield at 00.30, by the completely exhausted but so thrilled about an incredible days birding, possibly one of the best I have ever had. Three lifers, year-ticks galore and a host of other awesome birds, more than I could have dreamed of at the start of the day.

Species List:

Otford: Robin, Kestrel, Blackbird, Starling, Oriental Turtle Dove, Feral Pigeon, Ring-necked Parakeet, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Chaffinch, Woodpigeon. Goldfinch, Dunnock, Greylag Goose, Herring Gull, Jay, Collard Dove, Grey Heron, Wren, Sparrowhawk, Pied Wagtail, Jackdaw, Greenfinch, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Common Buzzard, Stock Dove, House Sparrow, Long-tailed Tit, Mallard,
Tonbridge: Swift, Grey Wagtail, Feral Pigeon, Woodpigeon, Goldfinch, Sedge Warbler, Blackbird, Herring Gull, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Collard Dove, Mallard, Magpie, Long-tailed Tit, Robin, Whitethroat, Reed Warbler, Song Thrush, Blackcap, Yellowhammer, Linnet, Chaffinch, Dunnock, Wren, Swallow, Pied Wagtail, Stock Dove, Turtle Dove, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Herring Gull, Common Buzzard, Starling, Chiffchaff, Goldcrest, Bullfinch, Hobby, Skylark, Nightingale, Common Tern, Moorhen, Coot, Great-crested Grebe, Tufted Duck, Mute Swan, Wheatear,

Dorset Holiday Day 6

It was meant to be another pleasant day, though cool in the morning, but the wind had picked up again and this was the issue of the day. I slept in after an exhausting day yesterday, so the number of moths was quite low again, with a female four-spot footman being the main highlight.

Since the weather was still reasonably unsuitable for insects I decided to go to RSPB Arne where there was a chance of some birds, as well as some insects. As soon as I arrived I was treated to a rummage through the onsite moth trap. The highlight was an Elephant Hawkmoth, but it was in too much of an inconvenient position to photograph. Other goodies were a plenty though, including 3 footman species and some other nice specimens. 

 -Rosy Footman

-True Lovers Knot

 As I arrived I immediately heard a nightjar churring, which filled me with hope of possibly finding a day churrer. However, that did not occur, which was only a mild disappointment, as there were plenty of other nice birds on site. Of course, the Middlebere channel Spoonbills were a must see. They spent a lot of time sleeping and were distant, but woke up occasionally allowing me to appreciate that bill. Whilst watching them it was lovely to see large families of Shelduck and a flock of Black-tailed Godwits in the saltmarsh. Other none coastal birds included a nice hobby hunting over the heath, which was also distant and all too brief, and a Siskin on the feeders in the car park .While they have hardly been in short supply it was nice to be able to see one properly as opposed to a calling black speck.

-Siskin

 -Spoonbill

-Hobby

 Perhaps the most curious and fantastic addition to the bird day list was a stunning male Peacock strutting around the car park, picking off the cinnabar moth caterpillars from the ragwort along the edge. Apparently it was quite a show-off but sadly did not perform while I was there.

-Peacock

 Despite the wind there were still a few insects around, the best of them being from the Lepidoptera. Across the heathland paths I stumbled across two Emperor Moth caterpillars trying to cross the path, which allowed me to take some photos of these stunning caterpillars. Also on that note, today I saw my first ever Clearwing Moth, a female Yellow Legged Clearwing to be precise, which is apparently nationally scarce. Not a bad one to get myself started with on the clearwing moths.

-Emperor Moth Caterpillar

-Yellow-Legged Clearwing Moth

 Of course the speciality of Arne is Britain’s largest spider, the raft spider, but sadly none would perform for me today. I did however spot a rather nice Nursery Web Spider, which I opted to take some photos of. I also grabbed some photos of a very obliging Common Lizard which was basking adjacent to the pool. I flushed it initially, but by waiting it did not take long for it to come back.

-Nursery Web Spider

-Common Lizard

I left Arne at around half 4, after a very productive day. In the evening we went into Weymouth for a walk alongside the quay and to have some fish and chips. No meds this time, but I was able to hand feed some of the adult Herring Gulls with my chips, which was something of a novelty.

Species List:

Arne RSPB: Grey Heron, Siskin, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Swift, Meadow Pipit, Spoonbill, Little Egret, Shelduck, Black-Headed Gull, Canada Goose, Graylag Goose, Oystercatcher, Black-Tailed Godwit, Dartford Warbler, Common Buzzard, Herring Gull, Woodpigeon, Carrion Crow, Curlew, Cormorant, Redshank, Swallow, Great Black-Backed Gull, Starling, Blackcap, Wren, Willow Warbler, Hobby, Stonechat, Green Woodpecker, Common Lizard, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Comma, Painted Lady, Small Red Damselfly, Emperor Dragonfly, Four Spot Chaser,