Saturday 20 August 2011

Oare marshes

With a few spare hours today i thought i would pay Oare Marshes a visit, the time slot i had did not fare well for the tide nor for photography however i saw a good few birds. Most of the time i was looking towards the East flood. Here Yellow Wagtail showed well along with a pair of linnet, there were single little Egret and Heron with many Black Tailed Godwit, Avocet, Ruff, Golden Plover, Redshank, Lapwing and the odd Greenshank. Moving on to the Raines hide a pair of Green Sandpiper was all that was on offer although along the path there were Reed Warbler, Chiffchaff, Long Tailed Tit and Whitethroat. I did not see any Wheatear. A pair of Common Tern and a single Kestrel completed the list. All in all lots to look at although i do wish we could see the birds closer. On a final note its a shame some

birds have to have so much bling on them, this Ruff being an example, perhaps its time to back off from this dated way of tracking birds

Sunday 14 August 2011

Backsands

I've been trying hard to find time to get out to Backsands scrape at Sandwich for a while. Working in London makes the week days difficult so i was pleased to meet Steve Ashton at the polly tunnels for a morning visit today. Its a fair walk to the scrape and with a mid day high tide we were pleased on arrival to find we were the only two there. We sat in the photographers hide and awaited the birds to come near. First was a Green Sandpiper, followed by one of four Wood Sandpipers and then Greenshank. we took lots of photos as the birds came near, there were Common Sandpiper Ruff and then a party of Redshank. A Perigrine made a few sorties along with a Sparrowhawk, all these with the local residents made for a great morning. With high tide approaching we awaited with great anticipation,  bear in mind we were the only two there we could not believe it when we were greeted by a couple with three dogs. They let the dogs run riot through the amassing birds in front of us and made their way round to where we were sitting. I asked if they would put the dogs on a lead but was greeted with defiance. So there we are  , even when you are on your own in the middle of nowhere there is always some one to piss on your firework!

Saturday 13 August 2011

Rain stops play


I was looking forward to the weekend , with spare time on both days to play with the camera, however the good old english summer put paid to this mornings outing so i thought i would post a picture of the first Cirl Bunting picture i took whilst in Devon earlier this year. Charming birds, very tolerant, allowing me to get close. This one was on a telephone wire, very characteristic although not pleasing for the photo. I was lucky to see them a few times, theres more pictures on my flickr site which you can see via the link.

Tuesday 9 August 2011

Restharrow Respite





I spent the weekend and Monday in our caravan at a lovely location near Throwley Forstal Ashford Kent. Away from tv,radio and mobile phones it was a tranquil break. We walked around Kingswood, Wye on Saturday and Sunday morning making a pleasent change from my normal stomping ground. Excellent views of Buzzard,  young Green Woodpeckers,  Blackcap,  Willow warbler and Chiffchaff were to be had, although bird song was conspicuous by its absence we were greeted with Goldcrest and Coal Tits as we turned in to the evergreen section. The walk was a good five miles and very enjoyable. Along the lanes near the site many Linnet, Yellowhammer,  Greenfinch,  Dunnock,  Goldfinch and House Sparrows, a lovely free weekend with no pressure from everyday tasks. I returned home having to do a night shift in London. I work on the telephone system running along the roads and yes you have guessed it, right in the trouble zone. We lasted an hour before making a run for it home, madness or what. I went back on days today and there was a lot of unrest, however a safer option. This evening after work i visited restharrow hoping to see Wood sandpiper, i was pleased to catch up with this lovely wader