Birding and other distractions

Mild and sunny this afternoon. A Dartford Warbler was heard and seen well. The bird sang briefly at one stage. It was high tide and there was a big roost of Avocet just off the saltings. Difficult to be sure of numbers but at least 500. Offshore were three Red-breasted Merganser, an all female group. Also a pair of Goldeneye. Dartford Warbler  As above  Avocet

Rain was easing when we arrived at Pegwell Bay though light was poor. The long-staying pair of Twite were still present on saltmarsh below the undercliff and flew in after a short while. They were initially elusive amongst the vegetation though eventually showed before flying to nearby bushes on the shore. They remained there for 10 minutes allowing good views albeit not particularly close. Ebsfleet was the next destination where a Long-tailed Duck had been reported on a creek near the sewage farm. A moulting male, the bird was easily found and permitted ridiculously close views. Twite Long-tailed Duck 

Arriving shortly after 9 a.m. I parked in a nearby retail park then walked round to the site where Northern Waterthrush had been seen the day before.  However, there was no sign of the bird until 11:30 when it was then seen nearby. The afternoon was spent trying to see the bird which proved difficult as it kept below a row of bushes on the muddy edge of a reedbed. I finally managed to obtain two reasonable views albeit much of the bird was obscured each time. The picture below was taken two days later when the bird showed comparatively well by all accounts. Northern Waterthrush. Photo by Mike Ilett

Rain conveniently stopped just after parking near Allens Hill. Another mild day though it stayed overcast. Walking down Allens Hill path a flock of Long-tailed Tit typically showed well, and with them I glimpsed what I thought was a warbler.  Shortly after the warbler revealed itself to be a Firecrest, which then gave relatively good views. A Blackcap nearby was heard only. Walking on towards the river we turned right on reaching the seawall to where a dead Fin Whale had washed up on the shore. The unfortunate animal had been found a couple of days earlier. Very interesting to view the whale at such close range, and appreciate the baleen feeding structure. One of the tail fins had been almost completely severed, the injury probably being instrumental in death of the whale. Firecrest  Fin Whale

A mostly overcast day with occasional glimpses of sunshine and fairly mild. Starting on Walland Marsh with large flocks of Fieldfare along the roads, plus a single Tree Sparrow also found. We found the flock of Bewick's Swan near Hawthorn Corner, 44 birds in total. Two adult Whooper Swan were initially with them, but then flew off towards Midley Cottages. Then at the RSPB reserve there were two Great Northern Divers and a Black-throated on Burrows Pit. The latter was seen at close range from within the visitor centre. A pair of Goldeneye were also present. On the way back we checked out Faversham Creek following a report of three Waxwings nearby. KC briefly saw the birds though I missed them, instead enjoying two Yellowhammers. Whooper Swans Black-throated Diver As above  Great Northern Diver

The annual north Kent WeBS meeting was at Elmley this morning with about 30 people in attendance. In addition to WeBS updates there were presentations from Simon about head-starting Curlews, and from Fiona about Bitterns on the reserve. Afterwards we were treated to a great display from the wintering Short-eared Owls on the reserve, about nine in total being seen. A walk to the brickfields was rewarded with views of male Hen Harrier and Little Owl. Short-eared Owl As above

I can't remember my last visit to this site, it was that long ago. Weather was bright yet windy today. We looked from the main causeways for the Canvasback, which has been present amongst numerous Pochard for over a week. However, it was very difficult due to the fact that the flock was distant and constantly on the move, plus the wind made scope views unsteady. Needless to say I didn't see the bird. However, other birds in the area proved easier, especially three Velvet Scoter viewed from near the church. A Common Scoter, six Goosander (three drakes), and numerous Goldeneye were present in the same arm of the reservoir. Earlier in the day a Merlin had flown over the causeway, my first of the year. Velvet Scoter Common Scoter with Tufted Duck As above  Goosander Drake Goosander