A WALK ON THE WILD SIDE WEDNESDAY 4TH MAY 2011

Today, I was pleased to have the company of another blogger with me at New Hythe, Marianne Taylor, who is the author of an excellent blog entitled The Wild Side. I recommend that you click the link and pay a visit, you won't be disappointed.

As usual the morning started from Brooklands car park and as usual the first part of the walk was blighted by the sight, sound and smell of the paper mill. Are we heading for a paperless society? I hope so! Brookland lake held no surprises today, being almost deserted save a few Sand Martins and some higher level Swifts. Around the margins though, Reed Warblers were chuntering away and even allowing some tantalising sightings through the reed stems. Common Whitethroats also cheerfully announced their presence, from the tops of the blossom laden Hawthorns, as they did all across the site. The tide was very low and I hoped to show off some of the Medway's elusive waders, but of course they're not called elusive for nothing and today they justified their reputation. With a distinct lack of North Downs Buzzards, a cool morning breeze and only one bucket seat we moved on to the sunken marsh where I thought that things could only improve. Along the way the drone of the mill receded and was replaced by the calls of Cetti's Warblers, Chiffchaffs, Blackcaps, a rather strange sounding Cuckoo, hiccups maybe, which was also seen on it's favourite wire across the marsh and the soft contact calls of a couple of Bullfinches. Then as we neared Hoopoe corner we heard the soft, intermittent purr of a Turtle Dove, my first of the year, and Marianne's too I believe. Although we could pinpoint it's location, it remained tantalisingly out of sight, deep in the scrub. I'll be back soon to hopefully see it and then add it to my NH year list. The rest of the marsh and the river turned up at least six Shelducks and lots of Herons who seemed to be busy teaching their somewhat dumb looking offspring what the sharp thing on the front of their face was for, i.e. catching fish.

Nightingales were on Marianne's wish list and they didn't disappoint with several heard around the site and two particular individuals who treated us to a stereophonic rendition of their amazing musical phrasing from both sides of the causeway below the raptor viewpoint. Here we also found one of many Hairy Hawkers, pictured above, urged onto the wing by the now warming sunshine.

More Nightingales sang across the east scrub and at the Brook House entrance track, where the Terrapin was seen basking in it's usual spot in the finger lake. We were disappointed that we couldn't get any photos of the Nightingales, a briefest glimpse was all we were spared, but I had higher hopes of a posing Water Vole and with this in mind we proceded to the usual ditch alongside the west scrub. Sure enough, we soon saw one swim from bank to bank, but it was too quick for Mariannne's camera. Luckily a second chance was had further downstream and hopefully the results will be seen on The Wild Side. No pressure then Marianne! While we were Vole watching Marianne spotted a Hobby coming over quite low from Johnson's Lake, by the time I saw it, it had gained height and was over the east scrub. This turned out to be one of four seen throughout the day and is tick number 98 for the NH year.

One of the thirteen species of butterfly seen was the Small Copper above, spotted by Marianne on the way back across the scrub. The other species seen were as follows; Grizzled Skipper (5), the most i've ever seen at New Hythe, Brimstone, Green-veined White, Orange Tip, Comma, Peacock, Red Admiral, Green Hairstreak, Holly Blue, Brown Argus, Speckled Wood and Small White.

Apart from the Hairy Hawkers, the only other dragon species seen was this superb Four Spotted Chaser, I saw a couple of these down here last year but not very many so this was a really nice surprise find in the west scrub. Below is one of the five, fresh looking Grizzled Skippers, all found as we returned across the east scrub and below that is the Brown Argus, often mistaken with Common Blue, as we nearly did first of all.

The last leg of the walk took us down the railway path where we spotted this Holly Blue butterfly (below) laying her eggs in neither Holly or Ivy, but if it works for her, why not. Note the drooping antennae, i've noticed this before with egg laying butterflies, I don't know if it has any relevance. If you know what it's about let me know, if you don't, you heard it here first.

The handsome red moth below was seen clambering through the undergrowth as we approached the raptor viewpoint, I've never seen one before but Marianne told me it 's a Ruby Tiger. Another new species for me at New Hythe. The last surprise of the day was at the raptor mound, where a flock of Black Headed Gulls were swirling around seemingly catching insects on the wing. The surprise was that among them was a lovely Mediterranean Gull. After two years without seeing one this was my third sighting this year. What a great way to end a very enjoyable day. Thanks for your good company, excellent spotting and your impressive knowledge Marianne.

SUNKEN MARSH TUESDAY 19TH APRIL 2011

HERON IN THE GARDEN

I'm going to cut straight to the chase today. While standing on the NE corner of the sunken marsh with Terry Laws this morning, at about 11.15 I spotted a HOOPOE flying across the marsh from west to east. It flew past past us at head height and crossed the river. Terry kept it in his sights until it cleared a row of Willows and it then disappeared from view. This is the first one of these I have ever seen and i'm absolutely delighted to have seen it at New Hythe. This super bird brings my New Hythe year species to 91, I never expected to see one of those on the list!

Coming in a good second today was a MARSH HARRIER (92), spotted by Terry at 12.45 as it too crossed the marsh, this time heading roughly south, giving good views at about 12.45 this afternoon. Two cracking birds in the same visit, how good is that!

I promised Terry that I would try not to waffle on too much today, so i'll just give a few brief highlights of some of the other birds we saw from the same spot by the marsh during the rest of the morning.

At least five Buzzards were spotted, three over the North Downs and two over the marsh, one of which seemed long winged, but we settled for Buzzard in the end. Two Cuckoos heard and one seen on the pylon in the marsh. Two or three Shelduck up and down the river. A Skylark hovering in the distance, looking just like a Kestrel in the heat haze. Hirundines were represented by a few Swallows and a few more Sand Martins, all heading southwards along the river. Three Sparrowhawks were seen, two over the Downs and one over the marsh. Two Oystercatchers (Oinks), flying low up the river, probably the same pair seen on and off for some weeks now. A single Lapwing, not seen very often at the moment. LBB Gull, Reed Bunting, Stock Dove, Pied Wagtail, Common Whitethroat and one briefly singing Lesser Whitethroat (not seen) all made the note book, along with others to make a species count of 39.
Oh, I nearly forgot, I saw a pair of Linnets along the mill path on the way back to the car park!

A CUCKOO CLOCKED FRIDAY 15TH APRIL

I had just about one and a half hours to spare this morning so I thought i'd go Cuckoo hunting in the sunken marsh. There was a Reed Warbler chattering in the reed bed by the fishermen's building so I stopped for a while to see if I could get my first sighting of the year. Then a motorcyclist came through the railway tunnel and parked up close by, that put me off, so I carried on along the path by Brooklands lake. I know it sounds picky but I have a thing about motorbikes...........i'll say no more!

Along the path I saw Blackcap, Wren, Song Thrush, Goldfinch and a female Chaffinch doing an impression of a Spotted Flycatcher in one of the Alder trees. I drew my camera from it's holster at a speed that would have impressed Matt Dillon, but of course it's much too early for Spot Fly. Good practice for the next shoot out though! The paper mill seemed even louder than usual for some reason and I was glad to turn right along the eastern edge of the lake, scanning the sky above for Hirundines but finding none, in what looked like perfect conditions.

From the small wood the river was flooding in at a fast rate, fast enough to make last year's reeds vibrate as the water dashed relentlessly upstream through their dead stems. Remarkably, I didn't see anything from here, not even a Coot, so the bucket seat remains redundant for the time being. Just as I started to enter the sunken marsh a Cetti's Warbler called from the first clump of brambles on the right, I stopped and watched and was treated to a couple of short glimpses of the bird, as ever too fast for a photo but good to see anyway. A couple of yards further on and another Reed Warbler was heard singing in the reeds to the left, success this time when it flew from it's cover to the reedbed by the river, tick number 89 for my NH year list.

I was joined by Terry Laws a bit further along the path where it's a good spot to watch for raptors flying down the Medway valley or catching the thermals as they rise up along the North Downs. Among the species seen as we watched were Grey Herons as pictured above, presumably making trips to and from the Heronry further upstream. A couple of Oystercatchers, also flying up river, Greenfinches, who seemed to be nest building somewhere in the area, Pied Wagtail, a probable Grey Wagtail, a single Sand Martin, but not one raptor! The good news though is that we heard and then saw a Cuckoo in the top of a tree along the southern edge of the marsh. A nice bird to represent the 90th species at New Hythe this year (so far). A little while later the same bird flew across the marsh giving us good views before crossing the river and resuming it's calling from the top of another small tree. Mission accomplished.

NEW HYTHE SAT 12TH FEB 2011

HERON, LITTLE EGRET & KINGFISHER

The picture above is of three fishermen, taken at New Hythe on 7th January 2009. I've posted it because I didn't get any pictures today, except a very long distance Buzzard. I did see all of the above three species this morning so it kind of makes sense.

I was joined at the small wood by Martin Coath & Flossie the golden retriever who also bought Martin Warburton with her. We spotted the usual bits and pieces including Teal, Lapwing, Redshank, Gadwall and Cormorant and then the two Martins left to continue their monthly census on the site. Within five minutes they were replaced by Eddie Denson, who crept through the wood without a sound and nearly gave me a heart attack. While we chatted we were lucky to see a Little Egret flying in the distance, one of two I saw today and also a Grey Wagtail, New Hythe year tick number 74. I don't think i'll get much more now until the summer migrants arrive, although Water Rail would be a welcome 75. Other notables from the wood and sunken marsh area included a Sparrowhawk, a flock of c. 46 Lapwings among which were at least two more Redshanks, a largish flock of Fieldfares across the river and a couple of Shelduck.

After a bit of a chat with fellow birder John Davies, who had just seen a Goldeneye on Abbey Mead, we too added it to our list when we finally located it on the far side of the lake. On then to Streamside lake adding the traditional sighting of a couple of Bullfinches backsides en route. Sometimes I think Bumfinch would be a better name for this very shy species. No Bitterns to be found in the usual reedbed but we did manage to locate Goosander and Red-head Smew. It's been great having these long stayers this winter, but I expect they'll be off before too much longer. I parted company with Eddie and started making my way back to the river, pausing to try and get a shot of a pair of Goldcrests near the railway line but to no avail, it was still very overcast at the time so it was never going to be a good result. Back at the sunken marsh I disturbed a Sparrowhawk which must have been on the ground I think, then I turned the corner and bumped into Ken Browne of Focusing on Wildlife fame. Together we revisited the river via the small wood for a last look and i'm glad we did because we found, Green Sandpiper, four distant Buzzards spotted by Ken, two Gt Black-backed Gulls, a Kestrel, a Kingfisher, another Little Egret this one feeding on the river bank and four Shelducks.

As Ken and I parted company I glanced up and there was another Buzzard, closely followed by a second one circling over the river, pictured and heavily cropped below, making six in total and a day count of 52 species. The february NH list now stands at 66.

NEW HYTHE FRIDAY 28TH JANUARY 2011

In a few days time January 2011 will be history. I'll remember it as a cold and sometimes very wet month, but most of all i'll remember it as a dark month. I know it does get dark early in the afternoon in January and I know it does stay dark later in the morning, but this time the bit in the middle seemed to stay dark as well. I didn't like that. Hopefully February will be brighter and lighter.

It was certainly cold today, just ask the Goldfinch pictured above, which was one of a flock that was feeding along the edge of Brooklands lake with a party of about twenty Siskins.

Other highlights included a couple of Mistle Thrushes in exactly the same spot where I saw them last week, on the bank to the east of Brooklands lake. About thirty or more Gadwall were on the river from the wood, along with two Redshanks, two Lapwings and two Gt Black-backed Gulls. A Chiffchaff was seen feeding along the southern edge of Brooklands which was species number 66 for the New Hythe Jan/year list. On Abbey Mead, apart from the usual characters, I found a single female Goldeneye and just one Little Grebe. Numbers of all species seemed quite low on this lake today.

No sign of Bittern again, that's two visits on the trot without seeing one, I must be losing my touch. The Goosander was still on Streamside lake but I couldn't see the Red-head Smew, I wouldn't be surprised if it is still there though, it can be quite hard to spot sometimes.

There were quite a few Fieldfares on the East Scrub where there are still quite a lot of berries, I wish somebody would tell the wandering Waxwings. Apart from a Green Woodpecker, the other interest in the scrub area were Goldfinches, lots of them. For once, a brief but very welcome break in the clouds allowed the sun to break through, what a treat! The Goldfinch pitured below looks a lot warmer and more relaxed than the fluffed up chilly specimen in the top picture, what a difference a ray makes.

The tide was out on the river as I made my way back, this gave the local Herons the opportunity to hang out together on the mud and discuss the finer points of fishing and nest building. I reckon there's fifteen or sixteen altogether, I tried to get a closer picture but it's difficult to creep past two Heron eyes, let alone thirty two. Left click for a better count!

Late news is a Coal Tit in the garden so now the list has reached 67. It won't get any higher during January as we're off to a warm cosy cottage in the Lake District tomorrow.

NEW HYTHE THURSDAY 20TH JANUARY 2011

I left the car park to the accompaniment of a Cetti's Warbler this morning, it wasn't the full bodied cabernet sauvignon type call that they are famous for, more of a light beaujolais version, but welcome nevertheless.

There was a cold northerly blowing as I made my way round a quiet Brooklands lake, no sign of the Goldeneyes today, I didn't see one at all, but I understand the drake is back on the Alders trout lake. The river was low and the tide was still falling, although there was a lot of water running into the small creek, this is overflow water from Brooklands lake and the sunken marsh. We've had a lot of rain! Just the usual birds on the river, but nice to see three Shelducks, one of which is pictured above, from the woods and a sparrowhawk flying over, I didn't linger long there in the teeth of the breeze but continued round the deserted sunken marsh. Two flocks of Lapwings each amounting to about 25 birds flew downstream in quick succession, a good count all told.

I spotted the bittern, pictured above (just), in the northeast corner of a very flooded Abbey Mead lake. It's up at least a foot I reckon and a lot of the path around it is under water now. This made it difficult to see properly but there didn't seem to be anything out of the ordinary to report, although happily, I did see a Kingfisher along the northern edge, my first at New Hythe since 9th December, which brings my New Hythe January/year list to 64.

Streamside lake is still home to the Red-head Smew (above) it's very nervous and I couldn't get near enough for a better shot. The Goosander was also seen there this morning but I couldn't find it myself. But I did find my second Bittern of the morning in the 'usual' reedbed pictured below. Great shot isn't it? If you can't see it too well try looking at it through binoculars, or alternatively left click it!

I returned along the river past the Heronry where the Herons are doing what they do at this time of year, building nests, noisily. There were twelve to fifteen birds in the trees, on and around their bulky platform.

There was a lot of shouting and arguing going on and as the pictures below show, sometimes the neighbours just got too close for comfort and territories and boundaries were open to dispute.

Note the legs in the top of this picture!

NEW HYTHE DIPPER! 2ND JAN 2011

That got your attention didn't it!

No, it wasn't a new species at New Hythe it was me. In the last week or two i've managed to dip on Marsh Harrier, Rough legged Buzzard, Firecrest and Red Breasted Merganser to name a few. To top it all I couldn't find the Redhead Smew or the Goosander today, both of which were on site, but out of sight for me. It's a fine line between a good day and a great day, today it was a good day!

I arrived at Brooklands car park at the crack of dawn (08.30), full of optimism and itching to make a start on the 2011 New Hythe year list which Warren assures me will peak somewhere between 115 to 120 species. He might be right because I got a brand new species straight away, yes, a flying pig! :-) My own target for this year is 108. There's two reasons for that, firstly it would beat my 2009 record of 107, and secondly, this year, to align myself with other local New Hythe listers, I will be including the lake at the bottom of my garden and it's surroundings which includes the garden as well. Controversial? No, I should have done it last year, i'd have got Coal Tit and RN Parakeet if I had, at least I didn't change mid year.

So, back to the lakes, the first two birds to grace my new list were Grey Heron which flapped over in that typical 'can't be arsed' fashion they often adopt. The second was a 'Chiswick flyover', sometimes known as a Pied Wagtail, again over the car park but this one bounding urgently across the millstream, chiswicking constantly in total contrast to the Heron.

On reaching the southeast corner of Brooklands lake I had 18 species on the list, all of them commoner species but including a Sparrowhawk which swooped out of the mill's steamy, smelly breath looking for breakfast. The 19th was a female Goldeneye, one of at least two present on the now 80% unfrozen lake, and a good bird to get on the first outing.

The sunken marsh was quieter than usual, mainly due to the reduced Redwing numbers, I think that's because they've just about eaten all the berries there. Fieldfare, Pheasant,Greylag Goose and a single Rook over the river west to east made the notebook, as did a loose flock of 29 Lapwings following the river northwards.

Soon after this I saw Jerry Warne who told me he'd seen the Goosander on the streamside lake earlier. While we talked we heard, but didn't see a Skylark overhead, unusual for this time of year at New Hythe, later on I heard and saw another three singles, maybe this is down to the bad weather? A Great Spotted Woodpecker also showed well in the top of a tree over the river as we spoke.

Abbey Mead is still frozen apart from some small pockets of open water on the eastern edge. It was here that the Smew had been seen earlier, but again, a no show for me. I did find a Bittern though on the western side of the lake. This bird looked very thin to me and was quite a light colour, I hope that the current thaw will enable it to find more food, there's still a lot of winter to come. A Goldcrest was seen along the railway path but still no sign of the Firecrest further along near the crossing.

After failing to find the Goosander on Streamside I did manage a consolation prize of a small flock of Siskins feeding in an Alder tree nearby, species number 38 on the list. Being Sunday, the east and west scrub were full of dogs and people so I beat a hasty retreat back over the railway picking up a Green Woodpecker en route. And so to the river where I had high hopes of a Redshank maybe, or even the Smew and Goosander, but as I started walking down the steps to the river path I heard the sound of an engine which turned out to be the biggest pleasure cruiser I think i've seen on the river here (pictured below) coming upstream, that buggered my little plan!

I walked down the wide path instead adding Bullfinch to the list and then rejoined the river by the little bridge close to the sunken marsh. I was pleased to add Gt. Black-backed Gull here but that was all because along came the next boat, downstream this time, i'll make no comment regarding it's name!

With three Snipe seen flying over the river and a few additions in the car park, my final total for the day was 50 species, It was definitely a good day, but not great, i've still got that to come, watch this space!

A New Tick at Elmley RSPB 17th November

It's been a while since I went to Elmley RSPB. I don't know why because it's a great place and it's not too far from me. So yesterday I took myself down there for the morning and boy, was it chilly! It was so cold I put a hat on and not many people have witnessed that I can tell you.

The three miles drive along the entrance track only produced Lapwings, pictured above and below, a Kestrel and the ever present Crows. I'd hoped for a Merlin or a Marsh Harrier, but no such luck on this occasion.

Last time I came here was in the summer as I recall, it was warm and I remember photographing newly fledged Swallows being fed by their parents in the bushes opposite the house. Today it was cold and the windblown, leafless bushes were scant shelter for House Sparrows, a couple of Blue Tits, a few Blackbirds and at least one Goldcrest which I managed to eventually pin down after walking up and down for about ten minutes following it's high pitched call.




I like this picture of a Lapwing but who's are those fingertips poking out from under it's tail feathers!!

The walk down to the first couple of hides is quite a long way and it was straight into the teeth of the wind. So it was a case of head down and quick march, consequently not a lot was seen apart from whistling Wigeon, calling Curlews, distant ducks, hunting Harriers and grazing Greylag Geese. Some of which, it was noted later were their smaller cousins, White fronted Geese.

From the relative comfort of the first hide I watched Shovelers paddling round the margins with their heads almost permanently under the water, only surfacing to draw a quick breath before resuming their feeding. Also here were more Wigeon, someTeal, a couple of Little Egrets, a few small groups of Grey Plover huddled in the lee of the islands, a single snoozing Common Snipe and the very elegant drake Pintail pictured below, also sheltering from the elements. Notable by it's disappointing absence was the immature Spoonbill which has been gracing this hide quite regularly recently.

I decided to continue walking down to Southfleet hide just in case the Spoonbill was on the flood there but unfortunately it wasn't. But as I was scanning the area in front of the hide, I spotted a Peregrine Falcon carrying a fairly large, dark bird. I wasn't sure what it was but as I watched, it appeared to try and get a better grip on the prey but instead managed to drop it. I watched the falcon circle around low a couple of times as if looking for it's lost meal, but I think it actually dropped it into the water and wasn't able to retrieve it. It eventually gave up and landed on a fence post in the distance and to my surprise, a couple of posts further down was another Peregrine, double trouble for the local meals on wings. As I watched the two falcons a third, unidentified bird of prey swooped low over them and was immediately chased off by one of the Peregrines.

Exciting stuff. But more excitement was to follow.

I left Southfleet hide and was walking back over to the seawall path when I noticed a couple of small birds on a gravelly raised area about halfway to the gate. I'd seen lots of Meadow Pipits and Reed Buntings during the morning and fully expected them to be one of these species. But I was more than a bit surprised to see a bird with a yellow and black face, a black throat and brown streaked back. If my memory serves me right I said to myself 'what the hell is that' or something very similar. I grabbed my camera and fired off a couple of quick rounds before they flew a short distance and I think, landed alongside a couple more but I can't be sure.

I had no idea what these birds, pictured below were, and I certainly hadn't seen one before but with the aid of the photo's and a bird book and a bit of help from Warren when I got home, I was able to identify them as Shore Larks, a brand new tick. I was chuffed to bits to find them and the walk back to the car park, suddenly didn't seem too bad.

I didn't add much else to the mornings list but I did see this Grey Heron near the track on the way back, in what I thought was a perfect pose to finish off a perfect morning.

Elmley RSPB The Birds

I haven't been to Elmley for some time, it's a really nice reserve and I love the feeling of isolation and the big sky that comes from such a big flat landscape. I also like the long approach track from the road to the start of the reserve. I think it's almost three miles and this is best driven slowly with binoculars and camera to hand, just in case.

On this occasion the slow drive produced very little apart from the Carrion Crows endlessly foraging in every nook and cranny, Starlings pecking around amongst the cow pats searching for grubs and nearer the farm buildings a few Sand Martins hawking for flies over the fields. Just before the car park I saw a small flock of Yellow Wagtails and over the car park Swallows flew low and fast, one in particular was flying in and out of the ladies loos where there was a nest still in use. I thought about going in with the camera but decided against it after seeing in my mind's eye the possible headlines in the local newspaper if things went wrong.

The bushes on the right hand side where the Long Eared Owls sometimes roost held some Goldfinches and a Robin and also about 10 young Swallows (below) in a small tree being fed by adults, they stayed while I took a couple of pics and then all took to the air in unison.









It's quite a trek down to the first two hides, something like one and a half miles I think but the sun was out, it was a beautiful morning and I was accompanied by hundreds of butterflies and I mean hundreds. The whole site was alive with their brightly coloured wings flashing in the sunlight with sometimes up to a dozen individuals on a single plant. Needless to say I spent some time taking pictures of them which I will put on a separate post tomorrow.
In the meantime the birds weren't quite so plentiful but that wasn't unexpected. Coot, Moorhen, Pied Wagtail, Swan, Little Egret, Mallard, Sedge Warbler and a distant Marsh Harrier were all seen.

I reached the first hide and, with the reserve to myself and one other individual, was pleased to watch a small flock of Avocet feeding and preening in the now slightly overcast skies. I don't very often see these charismatic birds so i've included one or two shots plus a picture of a very cute little juvenile who was already displaying the same 'attitude' which the adults are renowned for.

Other waders making a welcome appearance here and at the adjacent hide (sorry, I cant remember what they're called) included Common Sandpiper, Redshank, Spotted Redshank, Oystercatcher, Black-tailed Godwit, a single Ruff, Common Snipe and Lapwing. I tried to find the recently spotted Pectoral Sandpiper but to no avail.

LAPWING

As I left the second hide I was treated to good views of a Reed Warbler again, I seem to be doing well with this species lately and have found them quite accommodating on occasions. It seemed the longer I stood still the more accepting it was of my presence. Usually when you raise the lens you can hear the birds shouting 'look out he's got a camera!' whereupon the target bird disappears in a flash. But this one just carried on catching flies, although it never did the full monty for me and always made me work for a shot or two. A couple of which are seen below.

The walk back was pretty uneventful, apart from butterflies and a smart looking Grey Heron fishing by the reeds. But when I reached the car I was just putting the camera away when a couple of House Sparrows arrived on the scene. It's easy to overlook the humble 'sparrer' so I broke out the camera again and took the shots below of a very hungry and persistent Junior and a very unimpressed Dad.

And finally...............................as I said earlier, when driving along the Elmley track always keep bins and camera handy, just in case. I did and I soon spotted this tasty blonde who answered to the name of Marsha Harrier, what a cracker!

MARSH HARRIER