Birding and other distractions

Encouraged by reports of a Temmincks Stint I went to Cliffe, picking up KC on the way. The bird was on BB4, and though distant it looked good for Temmincks, with fairly distinctive jizz. Only the second March record for the species in Kent. Also there a Ruff, my first of the year.  Perhaps more interesting than the Stint was an Emperor Moth, one of two which came to a lure within 10-15 minutes. It settled on the ground for a short period, long enough to admire this amazing moth. Next, at West Court Farm the long-staying Glossy Ibis was seen, also a Little Ringed Plover, another Ruff, and more distantly some Curlew. A nearby sheep field alongside the South Quarry held good numbers of wagtails and several pipits. There were at least 20 Pied and 1-2 White Wagtails, plus approx. three Meadow Pipits. I also had the pleasure of meeting the farmer at West Court, whose father I briefly worked for in 1970 as a gardener in the school summer holiday. Emperor Moth Glossy Ibis White Wagtail Whi...

Another pleasant, sunny day, so an opportune time to look for reptiles. Starting in PV I soon found an Adder, a smallish individual, probably a sub-adult female. Further along I was pleased to see a juvenile, then a melanistic adult, though the latter was well hidden in vegetation.  In DV there were two Slow-worms, and in TF another five. Also in TF no less than three juvenile Adders plus one sub-adult in the same spot. Walking back along PV I refound the melanistic adult, still very camera shy, though on this occasion  another juvenile was lying alongside it. So in all five juveniles were found during this visit, suggesting a good breeding season for Adders in 2021. Sub-adult, probably female Juvenile 1 Juvenile 2 Juvenile 3 Juvenile 5 with melanistic adult Juvenile 5

Perfect conditions this afternoon for Adders to bask in hazy sunshine, a total of nine being seen. These included the first females of the year. Details as follows : PV - large female at the west end. DV - small male alongside the fence at the east end. TF - three males, one female at the west end, three more males at the east end. In addition two Slow-worms were present, one in DV, the other in TF, both under refugia. The appearance of Slow-worms was a couple of weeks earlier than last year. The nice weather also encouraged good activity from butterflies, with four Comma, three Brimstone and a Peacock. Birds included two Ravens on a pylon in SB, two Marsh Tits in PV, and a Bullfinch heard in TF.  Walking back to the car I noticed a Long-tailed Tit carrying a feather, and further observation confirmed a pair building a nest in a Hawthorn bush alongside the path.   Female Adder in PV Male Adder in DV Female Adder at West end of TF Male Adder at west end of TF Male Adder at east...

Nice weather this afternoon and as a consequence the first significant butterfly activity of the year. Several Peacock, a pair of Small Tortoiseshell, and a male Brimstone were expected species at this early time. Birds seen from Bloors Wharf typically gave close views, the highlight being good numbers of Mediterranean Gulls. Many were in full summer plumage and looking very smart. There was a first summer individual amongst the adults. The gulls were bathing close inshore and preening on the mudflats. A couple of colour-ringed birds were noted. Other birds seen there included the usual ducks, and a nearby Curlew feeding well on the mudflats, seemingly on lugworms. Reptiles in the park were generally hard to find, with only one Adder. Peacock Small Tortoiseshell Adult Mediterranean Gull Colour-ringed adult First summer Mediterranean Gull Drake Pintail Drake Teal Drake Teal Wigeon pair Curlew Male Adder Lesser Celandine

Started the day in east Kent hoping to find Goshawk. However, despite seemingly ideal conditions with bright sunshine and little wind we drew a blank, though did see good activity from Buzzards (about eight), including four in the sky together at one point. Also one Kestrel nearby. Oare marshes was the next destination hoping to catch up with the Green-winged Teal, first found last Saturday. The duck was still present on the west flood though stayed hidden for some of the time. Green-winged Teal has a vertical white bar beside the breast and only an indistinct buff edge to the green head band is visible. The east flood at Oare was very disappointing, with very high water levels and few birds. Reasonable numbers of Pintail, however. Drake Green-winged Teal Green-winged Teal with female Eurasian Teal in background East flood at Oare