Isle of Sheppey with The Ashdown Bird Group

Sunday 9th January 2022

Any doubts Martin, our leader, had about today's tour soon evaporated.  The weather was ideal - bright and sunny with clear skies and hardly any wind.  It obviously appealed to the members with 10 making the long journey.  And everyone was well wrapped up to deal with the cold.  

From the minute we entered Elmley NR in the morning to the time we left Capel Fleet as it started to get dark in the early evening, we were surrounded by birds.  We managed a species count of over 60, including some rather special ones. 

Our target birds included all the common owl species and Hen Harrier.

Elmley NR

• We met up at the car park at 9.30 am and we immediately spotted our first target species - a lovely short-eared owl flying low over the plantation.  It graced our presence for well over 15 minutes whilst everyone got their things ready to go out on the reserve.

courtesy of Alison Playle

• This was not the only raptor showing at this time. Quite soon we saw a Buzzard, then a Marsh Harrier, then a Kestrel and finally a spectacular Peregrine, which cut across our path and we were able to track it beautifully in the excellent morning light.

courtesy of Alison Playle

courtesy of Alison Playle

courtesy of Alison Playle

• In the field near the pools we could see lots of Black-tailed Godwits, Curlew, Wigeon, Teal, Lapwings and Shovelers.  

courtesy of Alison Playle

courtesy of Alison Playle

• From the screen hide we could see the odd Redshank and a few distant Shelduck but there was little else, which is not surprising really as it was low tide and the waders were way out from us.
• Not long after Mark called out "Merlin" and we saw the bird zooming along the side of the bank, flying low and at high speed until it finally disappeared over the top.
• On the way to the hides we came across several Stonechats, my first of the year!

courtesy of Alison Playle

• From the hides we saw Dunlin and Brent Geese and added them to our list for the day.
•  On the return leg I saw my first Grey Heron this year as well as firsts with Pied Wagtail and Rook.

There was a message on RBA about 7 Shorelarks on the beach near Leysdown so Alison and I decided to check it out to see whether or not we could fit it in to the group's schedule.   When we arrived in Leysdown we couldn't even find a place to park the car, let alone go looking for the birds so we quickly decided to abandon the idea and head off to the raptor viewing point at Capel Fleet and rejoin the main group.

CAPEL FLEET

• The highlight of the afternoon session was when a Ring-tailed Hen Harrier flew in and hunted across the fields in front of us, giving us ample opportunity to study it.  

courtesy of Alison Playle

 

• Not far behind in the pecking order was the Barn Owl which showed up just behind us at the end of our tour.
• A nice sideshow was provided by the 20+ Linnets that flew into the tree nearest the viewing point.
• Another first for 2022 was Red-legged Partridge, again one of the last species we saw before heading home.
• Other "firsts" included a Great White Egret, a Cetti's Warbler and a couple of Reed Buntings.

Year total =  90

There was something for everyone today!