RSPB Rainham Marshes, 9th April 2017

Yesterday we went to Rainham Marshes for the first time in 3 years. After a late night the day before, we arrived at around midday. At the cafe, we met Howard, who told us exactly what had been seen so far (as well as why people who read lots of books are normal!) In the entrance area, there were plenty of House Sparrow, 2 Reed Bunting, a couple of Cetti's Warbler and many other small birds. 

Collared Dove

m Reed Bunting

We started along, anticlockwise, towards the woodland area; along with the occasional Cetti's Warbler, there were Blackcap, Chiffchaff and some Linnet. Butterflies included 6 Orange Tip, 2 Speckled Wood, 1 Green-veined White and 1 Wall Brown, as well as lots of Red Admiral, Peacock and Small white.

Speckled Wood

Linnet

Continuing onwards, we reached the Reedbeds. Here more Cetti's Warblers were singing, and many different ducks and geese were swimming. A Water Vole from the Ken Barrett hide was also a nice surprise. Further inwards, a highlight of the day was when a small bird darted over all the reeds coming from the direction of the river and straight into the reeds, where it sang for a few minutes. A fresh Reed Warbler! Further onwards, Marsh Frogs 'sang' from the reeds and more Peacocks flew about. 

Peacocks

Marsh frog

At the Shooting Butts hide, much more was on view. A Marsh Harrier, perched about 1km off, was definitely not stunning, but Redshank, Snipe, Lapwing, Little Egret as well as the normal Pochards and a Kestrel made it worthwhile. 

Pochard

Redshank

A spotty Redshank - but not Spotted!

Little egret

 

Redshank

Marsh Harrier - trust me!

Kestrel

A Little Grebe nesting 2m from the Boardwalk was causing a stir among some birders, and a baby which managed to get a reaction from a Marsh Frog was amusing! Then on the sea front, a Little Ringed Plover was near some Shelduck. Skylarks were singing non-stop but never gave themselves up, making it increasingly frustrating for me to get a picture!

LRP, Shelduck, Redshank

A Snipe whizzed over, and a Green-veined White butterfly was added. 

Green-veined white

Little Grebe

As we trudged back, a male Pheasant appeared as did another Reed Bunting and the goldfinches were singing in the Blossom.

Pheasant

Goldfinch

Reed Bunting

Overall, a very nice day in the 25 degrees sunshine! With 7 days left of my holiday, hopefully I can fit in another walk somewhere or the other!

Wimbledon Common 6th April 2017

After a few bits this morning in the sunshine at home, we went for a quick walk in Wimbledon common, since we have rarely been there at all. 

Speckled Wood

At Wimbledon Common, there were plenty of Blackcap (somehow eluded the camera), 4 Chiffchaff, 3 pairs of Mandarin, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Great-spotted Woodpecker, 3 Nuthatch (2 with a nest hole and actively adding to the insides,) 5+ Chaffinch and many more common birds. Butterflies consisted of 1 Speckled Wood, 2 Brimstone, 5 Peacock, 2 Small White.

Mandarin

Chiffchaff

Nuthatch

Blue Tit

Chiffchaff

Chaffinch

GSP

Dunnock

I'm still awaiting three species which I'm desperate to see: Swift, Swallow or Willow Warbler. Next week perhaps...

Early April Garden Birding, 2-4th April 2017

Over the past few days, after breaking up for the Easter Holidays, I have spent some time in the garden. Since there have been mostly clear, bright skies, sky-watching has been productive. 3 Buzzards (2 on the 2nd, 1 on the 3rd) have drifted over, one very pale. Also on the 1st, a Red Kite drifted over. 

 Common Buzzards

Common Buzzard

With news of a Goshawk coming over first from Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park, then WWT and finally over Beddington Farmlands, I was ready with the camera. At around lunch or so, a bird came through at a fair pace very high up. It drifted around for about a minute, then carried on SW. Although (probably) my first Goshawk, it was not the most amazing view and an awful picture!

Goshawk

On the 2nd, a Wren was busy in the garden preparing a nest nearby and several other smaller birds were around. Butterflies included 5 Peacock, 3 Common Blue and a Small Copper.

Starling

Robin

Wren

Wren

Wren

Peacock

Blue Tit

Today, another first for the 'garden' flew over in the shape of a Peregrine.

Peregrine

In the next two weeks, I'm hoping to do a few nature reserve visits - hopefully I can angle a way for a visit to Rainham Marshes!

Richmond Park, 26-Mar-2017

Since it was Mother's Day, we decided that going for a walk would be perfect, especially with the bright sunshine and warm temperatures. It was much busier than we expected, and we arrived at 12.30pm, after battling for a space for a short while.

Eventually we set off, after my mum had elected that we should have a walk in the Isabella Plantations. A Wren was loud to start off, and a Great-Spotted Woodpecker was noted (along with the many Jackdaw.) 

Wren

After 20 minutes walking, an overhead Water Pipit made me alert, as it whistled over towards Pen Ponds, which we were sadly missing out on today. 2 Meadow Pipits flew nearby, as did 3 Skylark. Then a Kestrel appeared out of nowhere from where we had come from, hunting visibly. It flew to a tree, right near the path which we had been following. After starting to trek back and put the camera to my eyes, I realised that there was a pair mating on top of the bare tree, with the female screeching away, almost uncomfortably. This was the best I could manage from 150m away. 

Kestrels mating

The male bird seemed very peculiar, lacking any spots giving hints of a Lesser Kestrel. Although I have started to understand that thinking impossible things is really not a good idea, it really puzzled me. A third bird appeared, also a male, which then promptly chased the other off and sat in the exact same place as the other had been. The bird which had been chased off flew towards Pen Ponds, then diverted course heading off North, while the final two birds sat on the tree. This is the distant picture of the other male, and the two final birds.  

Kestrel?

Kestrel pair

Both birds began to hunt nearby, allowing a chance to actually try to get some decent pictures.

Common Kestrel

 Common Kestrel

We then proceeded to the Plantation, which was looking splendid in the sunshine. It was buzzing with butterflies, bees and many other insects, including Comma, Brimstone, Peacock, Red Admiral and Small Tortoiseshell.

Red Admiral

Comma

Peacock

Robin

Mandarin (f)

On the way back, a Skylark rushed off, and I still didn't manage a picture of any quality. However, a Kestrel appeared and hunted around 15m, providing brilliant views. This was the best I could manage before it dived down and then flew off.

Skylark - can't you tell

Kestrel

Kestrel

Not a bad walk for 3 hours on a crowded Mother's Day!