I have not been out for too long a period lately, the pollen in the strong winds was playing hell on my eyes plus the tennis has kept me in the armchair in the afternoons. However, a visit to Seasalter on the 3rd produced 3 hobbys over the levels and a marsh harrier etc..
Black-tailed Skimmer
On the 6th., another short visit, windy again but I found a lesser black-backed gull, kestrel, curlews, egrets, goldfinches, cetti's, marsh harrier plus the other common species. It was better in the afternoon, throwing stones on the beach with the boys at Tankerton we saw a close Mediterranean gull and better still back at home in the garden, a red kite drifted over escorted on its way by the gulls,
The 8th was quiet on my thirty minute visit to SS just seeing a flock of 5 Med gulls fly over and 2 Sandwich terns.
On the 9th I did another evening walk, this time going along the seawall at the S.Swale LNR. The tide was in and virtually nothing, just an oystercatcher on the beach! Over the fields a distant marsh harrier and on the seawall c.500 starlings feeding on the tiny beetles that have invaded the coastline over the past two weeks.
Tiny beetle invasion along the coast - here on wild carrot
A few clumps of sea-lavender
As the light was fading c.400 crows flew up from the C.Coote area heading inland to roost, now there is a target for the hunters to blast at, we might get some success with breeding waders etc. then.
Another amazing plastic object washed up - stands about 5 feet high!
A visit today, the 12th., produced several stonechats on the plots plus the attendant cast of goldfinches, whitethroats, reed buntings, the coot family, still holding onto at least 6 of their young. Earlier Geoff Burton recorded marsh harrier, a flock of 16 siskins, buzzard and grasshopper warbler. I tried to photograph a few butterflies in the strong wind with a little success on small skipper but failed on my first gatekeepers. Also another black-tailed skimmer on the track.
The only wader this morning! He caught nothing.
Stonechats have done well in the area this season
Small skippers common on the plots
1 comment:
Presumably the fisherman was after bass Mike, looks like that type of fishing.
Interesting your comment about the crows, not many people have the nerve to express such opinions for fear of upsetting the regular anti-killing bloggers that normally reply. That said I agree entirely with your views.
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