Holiday Is Over

 13th Feb 2021

Today was my first time out birding since my last post on the 3rd of Jan, six weeks ago, somewhat of a record.  What with covid going rampant and a new kitchen to be fitted, decorating, the government lock down and horrible weather I didn't mind.  However, as all the work was done and it was a sunny day, I decided to get back out with the binos and camera.

After the seven inches of snow we have had over the last week the roads were surprisingly clear but most pavements were still icy especially after the minus four degs C last night.  Arriving at South Swale LNR I walked across the snow towards the huts seeing a pair of teal on a frozen pond.  At the sea front the high tide was just leaving the beach and attracting several waders. 

                                    Female teal on the frozen ponds behind the beach huts

At the water's edge a dozen grey plovers were feeding along with c.40 dunlin and knot but were continually being disturbed by people walking along the beach.  I was taking photos from a distance when a photographer, who I later saw was taking seashore photos using a tripod, just walked in front of me, flushing all the birds....ignorant twat.

                                           

                                                         A dozen grey plovers on the water's edge

Further on four skylarks and a couple of meadow pipits were probing the grassy bank apron that was free of snow, all birds looking weak and tired. 

                                                                   Three or four skylarks

A couple of lapwings and curlew were flying about enabling me to get a couple of shots and three song thrushes were scratching around grassy tussocks looking for food.

                                                                           Curlew

                                                                        Lapwing

I saw circa.fourteen bar-tailed godwits fly fly onto the water's edge which is unusual to see them so close and a small number of knot joined them.

            I was always under the impression that bar-tailed godwits were larger then grey plovers

                                     but this photo shows this is not always the case.

                                                        Knot looking rather tatty

I  met Mike R and accompanied him along to the white post, unfortunately flushing several snipe which were also feeding on the snow free wall apron. Finally, I saw a pair of stonechats that were very  approachable in their weak state so I made every effort not to disturb them feeding.

                                                               Lots of snipe seen flying about

                                                                          Stonechat

On the way back I came across a couple more song thrushes looking rather tired and worn, all ground feeding birds must be having a real hard time, I normally see a few pairs of stonechats rather than the one today.

                                                            Song thrushes suffering