Thursday 15 August 2013

Starlings & Shorebirds

Lade -- 0600hrs - mild, cloudy, early drizzle, w 2 - Flame Shoulder was the only moth of note in an otherwise poor trap, despite the weather conditions appearing suitable last night.
There were a few Willow Warblers and Whitethroats in the gardens hereabouts this morning. Checked out the north end of Kerton Road pit where highlights were 3 Greenshanks and a Green Sandpiper.
Back at Plovers Mrs PT, who doesn`t normally take much notice of birds, was in a flap as `her` Starlings hadn't come down for breakfast; we chucked a pile of old oats and seed out on the lawn the other day and they`ve been feeding and cackling away as only Starlings can. Anyhow, once her cat went for its day long sojourn in the summerhouse the Starlings returned and provided rich entertainment for the next half hour - oh, we`re easily pleased down here...



                                Mrs PT`s Starlings

Littlestone - Having not checked the shorebirds lately on Lade Bay and with the tide suitable around midday I decided to give it a go at two locations, which went something like: 450 Oystercatcher, 85 Curlew, 30 Knot, 21 Barwit, 18 Redshank, 230 Dunlin, 160 Sanderling, 5 Grey Plover and 10 Ringed Plover, plus hundreds of gulls, 30 Sandwich Terns and 2 Shelducks.
ARC - A late afternoon return to Screen delivered tantalising views of two Water Rails in front of the hide dashing between reedbeds. The lone Golden Plover was still in the same spot as yesterday and has been seen flying around today sporting a white underwing, which appears to have confirmed its identity. Also present, Green and Common Sandpipers, Ruff, Snipe, LRP, Greenshank and Dunlin, plus 4 Little Egrets, Marsh Harrier and Black-necked Grebe.

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