Rough-leg at Shellness/Swale NNR - 28/10/2011

After an early morning trip to Oare this morning (where I saw a stunning male Hen Harrier) I went across to Sheppey to try and catch up with the Rough-legged Buzzard which has been hanging around Shellness/Swale NNR for the last few days. I managed pretty good views of it hovering and hunting over the back of the fields. It was joined by the pale Common Buzzard which had a very pale tail base just to make things confusing! No pics, as it was too far off.

Long-tailed Duck at Chatham Maritime 27/10/2011

I went across to Chatham Maritime this evening after hearing that there was a Juv Long-tailed Duck present. This was a Kent tick for me and so it would have been rude not to go. Anyway, a pretty little duck which kept swimming into the centre of the East Basin whenever someone walked along the the edge and then was always on the move! I managed a couple of shots with my new digiscoping kit.

Riverside CP - 19th October 2011

I walked from the main car park around Eastcourt Meadows then out to Horrid Hill and back in to the visitor centre before heading off out to Motney Hill and back. The most interesting bird was a Peregrine which powered in towards a group of waders, which it completely missed before alighting on the old causeway some distance out (record shot attached). Also, good numbers of Avocet (c450), Brent Goose (170) and Great-crested Grebe (20). I also saw two Greenshank, one Marsh Harrier, one Sparrowhawk and one Kestrel. A bit of movement with 20 Chaffinch passing over and four Skylark as well as a few Reed Bunting.


Peregrine Falcon.

I really need to get a digiscoping kit as holding my digital camera to the telescope lens just results in too much shake for any decent shots. I've tried a couple below:


Curlew.


LBBG.


Greenshank.

Isabelline Shrike - Cliffe Pools 16/10/2011

Absolutely stunning bird and showing pretty well. Great views with a scope, but not much use for the cameras. Isabelline Shrike is split into three races with only two likely to occur over here. Daurian and Turkestan. This bird seemed to fall somewhere in between with a lovely rufous crown, but no supercillium of note. No doubt it will be discussed on the forums until someone makes their mind up, but the BOU just lumps them all as Isabelline at the moment due to hybridisation. Also seen, Spotted Redshank, Green Sandpiper, Black-tailed Godwit and a few Little Egrets.

Isabelline Shrike at Cliffe...

Stuck at home waiting for the car to come back. Will I make it before dusk? To be continued...

Riverside CP - 14th October 2011

A walk from Rainham Dock out to Motney Hill and back late afternoon. When I arrived, the tide was just starting to go out. Out on the marsh at Motney Hill, I found a good selection of waders in the channel which leads out to the river. All tucked up in this channel were:
Dunlin, Spotted Redshank (2), Snipe, Black-tailed Godwit, Bar-tailed Godwit (1), Avocet, Ringed Plover, Curlew, Turnstone, Lapwing and Grey Plover. Two Cetti's in the reedbeds and a few Meadow Pipits over. Something put the waders up and there were 200+ Avocet. By the time I walked back, the tide was almost out and the birds were all directly into the sun.

Riverside CP - 9th and 10th October 2011

Just a quick update from two very brief visits to Riverside CP over the last couple of days as I have now moved house to Rainham.

On Sunday, I walked out and round Horrid Hill, but the tide was way out. A few Curlew, Grey Plover, Oystercatcher, Redshank and Lapwing about on the mud. I did manage to pick up a male Marsh Harrier hunting over Nor Marsh.

Today, I parked nearer Motney Hill and walked along the sea wall for a bit. The tide was out again and much the same birds were on the mud. There was a strange LBB Gull on the mud with a charcoal grey mantle and wings but completely black wing tips with no visible mirrors. Then the male Marsh Harrier passed over the mud putting a few bits up into the air, including a Greenshank. I heard two Cetti's Warblers in the reedbeds opposite the sea wall.