Sunday 15 May 2011

GODWIT MAKES THE DAY!

Yellow Wagtail

Wheatear

Linnet




With a planned visit to Dover postponed because of the unusually windy start to the day, to try and photograph Small Blue butterflies, Marc and myself met at the Towers just before 6.00 a.m. and began our walk to Cold Harbour and beyond.   There was a visible movement of hirundines with many more Swift and Swallow than normally and I soon added House Martin to my year list with a few sprinkled in with other birds.  All the usual suspects made the notebook with Redshank, Grey Heron, Ringed Plover, Oystercatcher and Turnstone in varying numbers recorded.  As we reached Cold Harbour a few Yellow Wagtails made their presence felt.  Walking down to the railway embankment a distant Cuckoo could be heard calling.  Once again the usual selection of ducks Shoveler, Gadwall, Turfted Duck and Mallard were seen.  Marc managed to photograph 2 Common Tern feeding in the estuary.  Smaller numbers of Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler and Whitethroat were heard and seen.  On our return walk Sandwich Tern (always in two's) drifted past us and it was great to see the family Stonechat (full compliment - mum, dad and four little Chats).  Just as we were returning to the cars Marc picked out a high and distant BLACK-TAILED GODWIT which was bird number 166 for the Reculver Year List and a very welcome addition to our Year Lists which is often scarce at our patch.  And as the old adage says 'You've got to be in it to win it'.  Thanks to Heathy for another enjoyable session and the help with my camera.  Hopefully, this week you can all have a laugh at my efforts.

3 comments:

  1. A very nice Wheatear shot Phil, you are slowly getting there. It was a BLACK tailed Godwit we saw, your species list says BAR. Have a good week.

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  2. Phil, you should see some of my efforts :-)

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  3. Great to see some of your pics, really nice, I find it really difficult but it is enjoyable, if not a little frustrating at times, especially when you see Marcs and Steve Ashtons which are generally stunning :-)

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