Wild Goose chase

In Norfolk  today on a proper Wild Goose chase.
Of note were several thousand Pink Footed Geese by far the largest gatherings I've seen to date.

Amongst all the Pinks were several Tundra Bean Geese, seven Barnacles, two Greylags, dozens of White Fronts and eventually the Todd's Canada goose gave itself up too. On the drive out more Canada geese and hundreds of Brents added to a remarkable Goose encounter.

Tundra Bean Geese with Pink Foots

Blyth's Pipit at Blagdon Lakes

I took a gamble this morning whilst already on my way down to see the Cirl Buntings at Broadsands in Devon I decided on the short detour to check in at Blagdon Lakes for any news of the Blyth's Pipit reported yesterday with a message that said it had been there for a few days but that access/parking arrangements would be released once sorted.

I arrived at the lakes early to find a few cars parked on the main road but with the gate to the fishing lodge open I drove in and took the right turn  at the lodge. Heading along the track I was greeted by a ranger asking for my £4 permit money which I happily paid (Guess that's what they had to get sorted?) and continued along the track to the point where the road had been fenced off. Just beyond the fence was a group of birders clearly enjoying scope views of the Blyth's Pipit. I joined them and quickly got on the bird watching it for an hour, grabbing some distant record shots before heading back to the car to continue my journey south. The pipit was much larger than the Meadow Pipits it was hanging with, much leggier and less streaked on the chest. It called as it flew over at one point with the locals comparing it to a Richard's saying it was similar but a higher pitch although to me it was not so clear. The bird had a strange stance resembling a Wheatear in the way it moved rather than a pipit.

At Broadsands I enjoyed a male and two Cirl Buntings feeding with the Dunnocks and Finches.

Blyth's Pipit at Blagdon

Male Cirl Bunting

Female Cirl Bunting

Cirl Bunting

Cirl Bunting

Cirl Bunting

Cirl Bunting at Broadsands

Year list now 279
Life list now 381

Grey Hen at Wallasea and new path opened

I took another trot down to Wallasea today leaving it until the afternoon in the hope that I might find the male Hen Harrier after a couple of misses this year.

On arrival the place was surprisingly busy unlike my usual early morning experiences when I generally have the place to myself. Cars are parked up in the "passing areas" and cars have also filled the car park and started using the field to park where I too needed to park up still a little unsure if I was supposed to be in the field. Looking out over the fields I was again surprised to see people (lots of people) out in the field. In all my visits to Wallasea over the years I've never stepped foot into the field and never seen anybody else out there. I usually watch from the sea wall or from the car along the track so to see the fields full of birders was a big surprise. All seemed to be above board and I was told that the RSPB had now opened the track so you can walk through the field. Firstly I hope it's right and secondly I hope it doesn't spoil the place for the birds.

On the bird front the place delivered again with five Short-eared Owls hunting from about 2pm until dusk. A pair of Marsh Harriers, a stunning male Hen Harrier, two Ringtails, a Merlin several Kestrel, dozens of Corn Bunting and the usual Reed Bunting, Stonechat and Skylarks to support the cast.

I enjoyed great views of a couple of the Shorties with one flying right in front of my car as I returned from investigating the field invasion. The grey Hen kept it's distance until it's flight to roost when in drifted past the car park being chased by a Crow. The Ringtails came in a little closer and hunted by the white gate right up until dusk.

The Grey Hen  

The RINGTAIL

Short-eared Owl at Wallasea

If only I'd stopped in the car!

The Corn Bunting looks a little concerned 

Shortie coming over the sea wall

SEO

Short-eared Owl

Found this on the Southend RSPB site and it shows the new trail.

So having checked it appears the path is indeed open to the public bu it's probably best to stick to the trail though unlike a couple of guys today that seemed to think the path gave them free access to stalk the Owls into the grazing areas.

More Harrier action at Wallasea

Another trip to Wallasea Island at first light this morning.

Stonechat Wallasea Island

Stonechat

A Male Merlin zipped along the reeds and a female was seen sitting on a fence post too before two Ring-tail Hen Harriers and a Marsh Harrier came out to play. Several Kestrel and a few more flying passes from the Merlins kept me entertained as did the large groups of Corn Bunting, Skylark, Lapwing and Golden Plover.
A pair of Stonechat came up briefly but spent most of the time feeding on the ground.

Corn Bunting

Corn Bunting

Starling at Wallasea Island

Golden Plover

Capel Fleet Kent

We headed down to Kent this morning stopping at Capel Fleet at first light.
At least fifteen Marsh Harriers were seen mostly sitting out in the fields or on the fence posts but no Hen Harriers were encountered. A male Merlin flashed by and we saw good numbers of Buzzard and Kestrel too. A flock of around thirty Corn Bunting were happily feeding along the road edges and Starling numbers were in the hundreds.

Starling

Marsh Harrier

Corn Bunting

We drove down the track at Elmley on our way off the Island but encountered little more than Marsh Harriers and Buzzards again although numbers of Lapwing and Golden Plover seem to be building well.

By lunch time we were scanning Scotney GP's and quickly found the reported Black-throated Diver which showed very well in the scope. Black-necked Grebe was seen here too before the short drive to Dunge gave good views of Ring-necked Duck, Tree Sparrow, Long-eared Owl and the usual Sea birds before we returned to Capel Fleet to end the days birding. Here we encountered well over twenty Marsh Harriers coming in to roost and a single Hen Harrier hunted low across the fields before dropping in to roost. On the drive out a Barn Owl hunted as more Marsh Harriers crossed the track towards the roost.

Black-throated Diver at Scotney GP

Barn Owl at Capel Fleet

A terrific day again in a sunny but freezing cold Kent

Barn Owl 

Marsh Harrier 

Starling at Elmley NNR

RED KITES

Red Kite at Harewood

Red Kite

Red Kite at Harewood 

Red Kite close up!

All about the eye contact!

Red Kites at Harewood

Another work trip and another stop off on route at Harewood to enjoy the Red Kites that form part of the Yorkshire release project. The Kites were first introduced back in 1999 and now thankfully have a very healthy breeding population.

I only had an hour or so on site but managed some very acceptable shots in that short window of opportunity with the birds performing well in good light for a change.

Red Kite at Harewood

Red Kite at Harewood

Red Kite at Harewood

Red Kite

Red Kite at Harewood House

I'll post a few more later in the week.

These are amazing birds and It's fantastic to have them around again.