29/08/14 Dungeness again to "twitch" the Melodious Warbler

Friday 29th August 2014
Dungeness, Dengemarsh Gully

I decided to return to Dungeness to address some unfinished business from my last visit on Wednesday.  Apparently, despite our successes, there was also a Melodious Warbler showing well at Dengemarsh Gully barely a stone's throw from where we saw the Wryneck. 

This is a rare bird for us in Sussex and Kent; it should be in SW Europe getting ready for the autumn migration to Africa.

PJ couldn't make it so I made the return journey on my own.  Conditions were very windy when I arrived around mid-day.  The bird had been seen several times already during the morning.  After 30 minutes or so I got fleeting views of it flying from bush to bush but I had to wait a further 30 minutes before getting the excellent view I craved as the bird sheltered from the wind low down in the bushes some 15 metres in front of me.

Melodious Warbler
Library picture

This Melodious Warbler was a "lifer" for me - the second in 2 days. 
                                     Astonishing!


Prior to all this I had a good view of the Wryneck that was also present - a different one to that on Wednesday.


Addition to 2014 UK Bird List:
Melodious Warbler   (259)

Addition to UK Bird Life List:
Melodious Warbler   (273)











 

27/08/14 Dungeness - another special day! Red-necked Phalarope, Little Stint and Wryneck

Wednesday 27th August 2014
Dungeness
With PJ

• After a RBA alert about a Red-necked Phalarope at Dungeness, Paul and I made the long journey down to the coast, arriving at the ARC Screen Hide just before mid-day.  True to the alert the Phalarope was present and showing well. 

Red-necked Phalarope
Library picture

Yet another "lifer" for me! 

This rare bird has probably migrated down the east coast from Scotland en route to it's wintering grounds in South America.

• After admiring the "star" bird for an appropriate time we moved to the Hanson Hide to look for the Little Stint that had also been seen recently.  Again we were lucky and within minutes we spotted it on a small shingle island 75 metres away. 

Little Stint
Library picture

 

This was my first sighting this year of this particular species. 

This bird is almost certainly migrating south, from the breeding grounds in the Arctic, to the Mediterranean Sea and then on to Africa.

• Just as we were about to leave Paul noticed a Ruddy Duck in the water just metres in front of the hide. Again, this was a first sighting of 2014 of this bird. 

Ruddy Duck
Library picture

 

                      What a cracking start we had made!

• Feeling confident we then decided to do some sea-watching from the fishing boats.  However we met Plodding Birder en-route who told us that it was very quiet there and we really should follow him to Galloways where a Wryneck had been seen.  We turned up just a little too late - the bird had gone to ground and despite our best efforts we were unable to find it.

• Our next decision was to relocate to do more sea-watching, this time overlooking "the patch".   This turned out to be a really good decision as we were able to pick out a couple of Black Terns among the mainly Common Terns and Sandwich Terns and the few Little Terns.   We even managed to throw in a good sighting of a Black Redstart on the way back to the car.

• Having had such a good day, and with some time to spare, we decided to try for the Wryneck one last time.  Before we could get set up with our scopes, a fellow birder beckoned us over to see a brilliant view of the bird in his scope. 



Wryneck
Library picture

Shortly after this the bird flew down to ground and we were unable to see it again.  Thank goodness for the kind birder - the views were excellent, if somewhat brief!

• Other birds seen included Black-tailed Godwit, Garganey, Water Rail, Whinchat, Whitethroat, Stonechat, Wheatear, Hobby and Sparrowhawk, Avocet, Tufted Duck, Common Scoter, Gannet, Ruff, Linnet and many others.

What a great day out with 4 year ticks, including a lifer!







Additions to UK 2014 Bird List:
Red-necked Phalarope   (255)
Little Stint   (256)
Ruddy Duck   (257)
Wryneck   (258)


Addition to UK Life List:
Red-necked Phalarope   (272)

24/08/14 Oare Marshes Bonaparte's Gull

Sunday 24^th August 2014

Oare Marshes

Kent

 

11 of us made the long trip to Oare Marshes on the North Kent coast.  We were rewarded with fine weather and a rich birding experience.  The species count was just short of 50 - a respectable total at this time of year.

 

• The rarest bird we saw was, without doubt, the Bonaparte’s Gull, a North American bird, not normally seen in this country. It has been around Oare Marsh since the middle of July, most frequently on the East Flood where we saw it today in the latter stages of our trip. It is very similar to the Black-headed Gull but with a distinctive short, thin dark bill.  We had super views from a distance of 40 metres or less.  For many of us this was a “lifer”.

 

Bonaparte's Gull
Library picture

 

• Not as rare, but much more colourful, were the Yellow Wagtails we saw on the grass verges of the East Flood near the hide and the Kingfishers seen on 2 separate occasions on the Swale Estuary.

 

• The Bar-tailed Godwits and the Black-headed Gulls  numbered over 1000, the Avocets, Dunlin  and Redshanks over 100 with good numbers also of Golden Plover.  Raptors included Kestrel, Buzzard, Sparrowhawk and Marsh Harrier.

 

Full species list:

Ringed Plover                          Cormorant

Dunlin                                      Starling

Black-headed Gull                   Woodpigeon

Black-tailed Godwit                 Kingfisher

Little Egret                               Kestrel             (10)

Coot                                         Mallard

Pied Wagtail                            Whimbrel

Tufted Duck                             Curlew

Sparrowhawk                           Avocet

Buzzard                                   Lapwing           (20)

Reed Warbler                          Goldfinch

Reed Bunting                          Sedge Warbler

Swallow                                   Wheatear

Ruff                                          Magpie

Shelduck                                 Teal         (30)

Mute Swan                              Greater Black-backed Gull

Yellow Wagtail                         Redshank

Herring Gull                             Linnet

Carrion Crow                           Grey Heron

Moorhen                                  Greenshank             (40)

Golden Plover                         Greenfinch

Bonaparte’s Gull                      House Sparrow

Common Snipe                       Marsh Harrier

Shoveler                                  Little Grebe

Curlew Sandpiper????





Addition to UK 2014 Bird List:
Bonaparte's Gull   (254)

Addition to UK 2014 Life List:
Bonaparte's Gull   (271) 

21 and 22/08/2014 Patch Update

Thursday 21/08/14 and Friday 22/08/14
Churlwood


With all the comings and goings of the last few weeks I decided it was high time to catch up on the situation on my patch in the Ashdown Forest.  On Thursday I spent a couple of hours centred on the Churlwood CP end while on Friday I focused on the Twyford CP end and targeted the Hillsdown Farm area in particular.

The highlights on Thursday included a Hobby, several Green Woodpeckers, Redstarts and a couple of Stonechats as well as a lovely Coal Tit and a Jay.

Friday was dominated by the Hobbies seen flying together over the tree tops in the valley below us.  They made spectacular viewing in the lunchtime sun as they moved effortlessly about their business.  There was at least one juvenile among the three that I saw - it had a brownish colouring rather than the grey of the adult bird. This was my second sighting in two days but by far the most rewarding.  It's amazing to think that this was my first success here this year - more a reflection of my absence than any shortage of birds. 


We were less lucky with Honey Buzzards as the six or so birds we saw were all Common Buzzards. 


Species List:
Bullfinch
Nuthatch
Blue Tit
Long-tailed Tit
Coal Tit
Wren
Great-spotted Woodpecker
Song Thrush
Goldcrest
Robin   (10)
Hobby
Stock Dove
Kestrel
Woodpigeon
Buzzard
Redstart
Stonechat
Green Woodpecker
Carrion Crow
Magpie   (20)
Jay
Robin


                             Nice to be back on my patch!

20/08/2014 Pulborough Brooks with Sara

Wednesday 20th August 2014
Pulborough Brooks


Spent a lovely 4 hours or so at Pulborough Brooks with Sara. 

The highlights were:
Kingfisher 
Without doubt the standout bird was the gorgeous Kingfisher that entertained us for 45 minutes at Netley's Hide.  It moved up and down the brook, just 20 metres away from the hide, stopping regularly to allow us to zoom in and get super views. 



Kingfisher
Library picture


As well as the visuals we heard it call several times as it flew.

Marsh Harrier
A splendid Marsh Harrier flew high in front of  Netley's Hide, affording us excellent views.  At times it swooped down low and came very close. 

Marsh Harrier
Library picture

 
It is a truly majestic raptor.

Redstarts
Near the end of our walk we saw several redstarts on the fence away to our right.  We stayed a while to savour the moments with what were probably juvenile birds.



Redstart
Library picture

 
Today's species list:
Moorhen
Blue Tit
Great Tit
Greenfinch
Chaffinch
Goldfinch
Wren
Nightingale
Carrion Crow
Rook   (10)
Jackdaw
Woodpigeon
Mute Swan
Grey Heron
Mallard
Lapwing
Bar-tailed Godwit
Redstart
Kingfisher
Marsh Harrier   (20)
Garden Warbler
Magpie
Green Sandpiper
Canada Goose
Greylag Goose
Robin
Swallow
Starling
Shelduck
Little Egret   (30)

12/08/2014 Rye Harbour and Dungeness

Tuesday 12th August 2014
Rye Harbour and Dungeness

I was attracted by the prospect of seeing a Little Stint at Rye Harbour and a couple of Black Terns at the "patch", Dungeness.  Both species had been reported at their respective sites this morning.

I was unlucky at Rye Harbour as the Little Stint was no longer there or I could not find it.  My luck changed at Dungeness when in the evening light I saw at least 2 Black Terns amongst the Gulls and other Terns at the reported place.



Black Tern ID Features
Library item



Black Tern
Library picture

Addition to 2014 UK Bird List:
Black Tern   (253)

09/08/2014 Relaxing at Bassenthwaite Lake

Saturday 9th August 2014
Bassenthwaite Lake

Spent most of the day relaxing with Brian and Kenny at Bassenthwaite Lake in glorious sunshine.

Immediately, our attention was taken by several Spotted- flycatchers which flitted around in the trees between the lay by and the lakeside.  They continued to show all day to the extent that we decided there must be  at least one family group of 5 or 6.

The main reason for the visit was, of course, the Ospreys and they did not disappoint.  We saw 2, probably the male parent and the one chick that remained.  They were seen clearly in the trees by the nest and flying high over the fells near Skiddaw etc.  The only view missing was of them fishing - maybe next year for me?  The female had almost certainly departed after the chicks fledged.  One of the chicks had died and another had had an accident and was being looked after in Scotland.

Red-breasted Mergansers numbering over 30 provided a superb supporting act as did the 100+ feral Barnacle Geese

Barnacle Geese
Library picture

and Canada Geese.

The day before Sue, Brian and I saw 2 Dippers on the River Derwent at Workington to pump start our birding.  As this species has never been seen in Sussex, this was a particularly good experience.


Addition to 2014 UK Bird List:
Barnacle Goose  (252)

A lovely day and one that was much needed!



06/08/2014 A Cattle Egret at last!

Wednesday 6th August 2014
Siddlesham nr Chichester

I have been tempted several times this year to travel out of county to "twitch" the Cattle Egrets that have been seen at various places across the country but each time my friends persuaded me against it saying that one will turn up in Sussex at some stage.  True enough, one was reported at Siddlesham yesterday and Paul and I tried, unsuccessfully, to see it after we had finished seeing the Long-tailed Skua last night. 

Today I again made the long trip down to Chichester and this time I was successful in the very same place we tried last night.  The egret was in the fields, with the cows, and showing very well as I arrived. 

Cattle Egret
Library picture

 

Shortly afterwards it took to the air and I was able to get a different view of it.

Cattle Egret flying
Library picture
 

What a relief!

Addition to UK 2014 Bird List:
Cattle Egret   (251)



Addition to UK Life List:
Cattle Egret   (270)

31st July to 4th August 2014 Scillies Pelagics - 4 "Lifers" and more

Thursday 31st July to Monday 4th August 2014
Scilly Isles Pelagic Trips

On Thursday, Paul, Andrew Christine and myself made the long car journey down to Penzance in Cornwall where we met up with Chris and his son Tom.  After an overnight stay, we caught the morning ferry - Scillonian III - to St Mary's in the Scilly Isles where we spent 2 nights at the Country Guesthouse before returning to Penzance on the Sunday for another overnight stay and then made the return journey to Sussex on Monday.
 
The highlight was always going to be the two pelagic trips we made.  They added a whole new dimension to my birdwatching as well as being so informative.  We travelled in a large open-decked boat holding only 20 birders (max) to enable easy movement and sufficient space to watch for the seabirds.  The crew, led by Joe Pender, were all experienced seamen and well versed in this area of ornithology.  Bob Flood has written many books on seabirds and his leadership was inspirational.  

On the first trip the "steam and chum" technique was used.  Right from the start gulls were encouraged (with food) to collect behind the boat and follow us, acting as a visual attractor to skuas and shearwaters.  An oily waste was also used to attract storm petrels.  The technique worked brilliantly.  The gulls arrived in droves and we got smashing views of Herring Gulls, Lesser Black-backed Gulls, Great Black-backed Gulls Fulmars and the odd Kittiwake at the stern.  Gannets were also drawn in.  The "star turns" came in - first the magnificent Great Shearwaters, both of which entertained us for long periods as they joined the gulls and gannets; we managed to get within 10 metres of these amazing birds



Great Shearwater
Sapphire Pelagics



Great Shearwater
Sapphire Pelagics



Great Shearwater
Sapphire Pelagics

 

 

- then the Cory Shearwaters were seen as they came by; again we were able to get excellent views as they flew past our boat.  In total we reckoned on 4 good sightings.
 

Cory's Shearwater
Sapphire Pelagics

Cory's Shearwater
Sapphire Pelagics

 

 

- and finally, as the evening drew on, the European Storm Petrels came in.  

European Storm Petrel
Sapphire Pelagics

Such was the excitement that we forgot the saturated state we were in -our boat sailed out in pouring rain at 5 pm and returned in pouring rain just before 10 pm.



Our second trip, the next day, this time in gorgeous sunshine, used the "drift and chum" technique which was almost the same as the one mentioned above except that the engines were switched off for 2 - 3 hours to allow the oily slick to form and to send scent downwind to draw in the smell-sensitive Wilson's Storm Petrel. 
 



Wilson's Storm Petrel
Sapphire Pelagics

                                                    



The technique worked very well and we were rewarded with good views of the highly prized petrel, only the second sighting of the year.



Wilson's Storm Petrel
Sapphire Pelagics

This was the icing on the cake; we also saw the same species as the day before. 

Shark tagging is an important part of these trips.  Blue Sharks are also attracted by the chum and when caught they are tagged, as part of an initiative by the University of Southampton and then immediately released.  We were lucky to see nearly 10 sharks being tagged.

 

We also saw a couple of pods of dolphins which came right up to the boat, affording us spectacular views.

Common Dolphins
Sapphire Pelagics

Amazingly we saw a Leather-backed Turtle which the crew had never seen in the area before. 

Leather-backed Turtle
Sapphire Pelagics

On the journey down, we stopped off at the Isle of Wight where I had my second chance to see the Bee-eaters.  I only admitted to seeing them the day before after we had made the sighting. 

A couple of hours later, in Devon, we stopped near Topsham where we found the rare Ross's Gull that had been reported several times in the media. 

Ross's Gull
Library picture

On the way home we detoured to Pennington Marshes in Hampshire to "twitch" the Pectoral Sandpiper. 

Pectoral Sandpiper
Library picture

As a sequel to our trip I got a call on Tuesday from Paul about a Long-tailed Skua that had been seen off the sea at Church Norton near Chichester in West Sussex.  So off we went and before long we  and about 60 other twitchers had good views of this bird flying overhead .... 

Long-tailed Skua
Jan Charteris

  and  ....... chasing a Tern  ......




Long-tailed Skua
Jan Charteris

Additions to 2014 UK Bird List:
Ross's Gull   (244)
Great Shearwater   (245)
Cory's Shearwater   (246)
European Storm Petrel   (247)
Wilson's Storm Petrel   (248)
Pectoral Sandpiper   (249)
Long-tailed Skua   (250)


Additions to Life List:
Ross's Gull   (264)
Great Shearwater   (265)
Cory's Shearwater   (266)
European Storm Petrel  (267)
Wilson's Storm Petrel   (268)
Long-tailed Skua     (269)




Amazingly in the space of just over a week I have seen 7 "lifers"!