Sunday 22 March 2015

Kent Survey 21/3/14

So yesterday was our last Kent survey of the winter and couldn't have ended any better for me when I stumbled on this cracking Shorelark.

The bird was in with a small group of Skylark in stubble just south of egypt bay.  Managed a couple of distant record shots before continuing on with my survey.

This has been my third winter surveying this site and between myself and Mo has produced some great birds, Rough-legg, Hen Harrier, Iceland Gull, GG Shrike, 3 Richards, Snow Bunt, wild swans & geese, the list goes on....  hopefully Im back next winter.













Marsh Harrier numbers are now down with birds moving off to their breeding grounds, a few birds are staying.









This Black-tailed godwits life came to an untimely end, presume peregrine fodder!





Tuesday 10 March 2015

The Brecks

Had most of the day up in the Brecks with Monkey on Sunday, Starting at Lynford it wasn't long before we connected with 3 Hawfinch beyond the feeders, cracking scope views of these birds along side several Brambling, including a spanking male and more Siskins than you can shake a stick at!

With the barbour brigade turning up it was time to move on, next stop Santon Downham.

Parking by the bridge we walked east along the river catching a brief glimpse of a Lessser spot, and another drumming further along.  The river produced great views of both Grey Wagtail and Kingfisher, and both Lesser redpoll and Bullfinch in the scrub.

We located the Great Grey Shrike some 500m past the small church as it hunted both sides of the river, and it was great to have this bird to ourselves with not another birder in sight.








Carrying bumble-bee


The walk back produced a singing Woodlark in the carpark and several Marsh Tits.


Onto one of the well known Goshawk sites before the weather decided to close in we picked up several birds over the woods and a closer bird above with two buzzards.

Last stop of the day before the rain, Mayday Farm, Amazing how quick the plantations grow in ten years! The drinking pool gave us some fun with the camera with lots of birds coming down to drink - including many Coal tit, redpoll & Siskin.












Sunday 8 March 2015

Pictures from the Park

Some more pictures from Hyde park on Saturday.












this Cormorant had no fear!






many of the bhg's now with hoods.


















Hard to avoid these now!











bring some monkey nuts along.














male Tawny owl stands guard.

Saturday 7 March 2015

Greater Scaup Hyde Park/Kensington Gardens 7/3/15

Had an hour in Hyde Park this morning where the drake 1w Scaup is now looking alot smarter than I previously saw him just after the new year.

The bird was in the Lido with several tufties until the swimmers flushed him to the centre of the serpentine.