Pas de Calais!

Yesterday I met AJG and TM at silly o-clock to catch the ferry to Calais. Surprising the on board breakfast was hot, usually tepid at best. On arrival we drove straight to Bonelle arriving around 07.00. As we got out of the car 2 Turtle Doves flew over and added to the cacophony of bird song, Song Thrushes, Blackcaps, Garden Warblers, Willow Warblers, Chiffchaffs, Skylarks, Yellowhammers, Sedge Warblers as well as Wrens, Dunnocks and Robins and more. Scanning the tussock grass we located 4 Bluethroats and several Stonechats, a Cattle Egret foraged among the cows and on a small pool Black-winged Stilts and Avocets were nesting. Also there were singing Marsh Warblers a Strutting White Stork and several White Wagtails. We found Song Thrushes seemed to be abundant at every place we stopped. 

 Black-winged Stilts

 Avocet

 Bluethroat

 White Storks

 White Wagtail

 Cattle Egrets

A La Basse pools the Black-headed Gull colony was full of young gulls, also a few Mediterranean Gulls there. Several Cattle Egrets were foraging around the ponies, 2 Little-ringed Plovers, More Storks, several Common Buzzards, White Wagtails and another Marsh Warbler. 

 Mediterranean Gull

 At our usual raptor watch point at Crecy Forest we had to wait a whole 10 minutes before the first of several Honey Buzzards appeared, along with the usual Common Buzzards, Hobby's, a male Hen Harrier, and a flock of 62 Mediterranean Gulls flew over.

 In the forest Firecrest, Crested Tit, Melodious Warbler, Marsh Warbler and many more passerines were seen and heard as well as superb low flying Honey Buzzard. A tick for me in the forest was a Broad Bordered Bee Hawkmoth.

 Broad-bordered Bee Hawkmoth

 Spoonbills at Oye Platier

At Oye Platier 11 Spoonbills, 5 Black-winged Stilts, c100 Avocets, a Common Sandpiper, a Ruff, a Greenshank and a Long-tailed Duck.

 Kentish Plover eggs

On a beach near Calais 10+ Kentish Plovers and c50 Little terns were nesting, the Kentish Plover eggs we found had been layed below the high water mark so stand little chance of success.

 Kentish Plover

 Long-tailed Duck at Oye Platier

Do you want use this picnic table!

Good to see Calais local authority have a sense of humour placing the picnic table beside the leaning pill box. Another brilliant day out across the channel in great company and super warm weather.

Hobby's,Swift's and a Puffin!

Very quiet on the sea this morning with just a handful of Gannets seen and 3 Swallows in.

Several hours spent around the reserve failed to find anything unusual. There were still many Swifts and smaller numbers of Swallows, House Martins and Sand Martins, at least 9 Hobby's were present. I spent a while photographing them and the Swifts with limited success.

 Hobby

 AT the ARC a Cuckoo, 2 Marsh Harriers and all the usual reed bed Warblers, also plenty of Reed Buntings. Chffinches, Greenfinches, Goldfinches and Linnets were all present. While on Burrowes a single Ringed Plover, a Little Ringed Plover and a Turnstone. In the Hayfields I could only find a single Lapwing chick, hopefully the others were well hidden. Good to see water being pumped onto an almost dry Hayfield 3.

 Swift

 This evening Owen Leyshon showed me a partially oiled dead Puffin that was found on Greatstone Beach, one day i'll see a live one at Dungeness. Another day trip to France tomorrow mainly to look at some sites that look good on the map.

Puffin

Manxies!

07.00-11.00 from The Point, cold, constant drizzle, gusting 8-9 enjoyable!

Obs: AJG,DW,MH,MC.

Great-crested Grebe: 19+ o/s

Manx Shearwater: 33W  3E

Fulmar: 10W

Gannet: 47W

Oystercatcher: 1E

Arctic Skua: 2E

Sandwich Tern: c10 o/s

Common Tern: c20 o/s

Auk sp: 3W

Guillemot: 1W

Swift: 42W

Manx Shearwaters

At the south end of the ARC the drake Garganey still also 2 Cuckoo's, while from Hanson c500 Swifts, c200 Swallows, c30 House Martins and 10+ Sand Martins.
Another hour this afternoon at The Point saw nothing in dense fog accompanied by the fog horns. 

Swifts!

From the seawatch hide this morning as expected very quiet with just a handful of Gannets and Common Terns feeding offshore, also 3 Great-crested Grebes and a Black Redstart singing behind the hide.

A walk around the trapping area and Long Pits with AJG found of note a Spotted Flycatcher, Willow warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, Blackcap, several Common Whitethroats and Reed Warblers, also another Black Redstart by Lloyds.

At the ARC 100s of Swifts, with smaller numbers of House Martins and Swallows, 5+ Hobby's, the usual Reed, Sedge and Cetti's Warblers, Common Whitethroats and 2 Lesser Whitethroats, also 2 Marsh Harriers, 2 Cuckoo's also a Garganey at the south end per DW.

Hobby at the ARC

 I disturbed this Fox from its midday slumber at the pines.

 A walk around the windswept reserve this afternoon saw, 100s more Swifts, 2 Sanderling, a Dunlin, a Turnstone, a Ring Plover and the local Oystercatchers all on Burrowes. Still at least 3 Lapwing chicks, a Redshank and dozens of feral geese in the hayfields, though No.3 is virtually dry. On Dengemarsh a pair of Herring Gulls have taken up residence on 1 of the Tern rafts with pairs of Common Gulls on the other 2, 3 Marsh Harriers were over the reed bed as were a couple more Hobby's. 

1 of at least 3 Lapwing chicks.

Sanderling Surprise!

The blue sky and sunshine on this mornings walk to The Patch was once again deceiving with a march like chill in the air. From the hide c80 Common Terns, a 1st summer Mediterranean Gull,27 Gannets flew west and 6 Sandwich Terns. Walking back a Black Redstart was singing and 3 Swallows came in off over the bund and rested on the perimeter fence. Another Black Redstart was singing by the car park with another near the observatory.

Following a report of a Dusky Warbler in Dengemarsh Gully, myself and AJG made our way there meeting MH there but there had been no further sign of the bird for at least an hour, indeed there were very few birds there, just a couple of Common Whitethroats, Linnets and the usual Wrens and Dunnocks to be seen.

As most of my day was taken up with domestic stuff, this evening I did the circuit from Springfield Bridge via Christmas Dell, the visitor centre and Hookers back to the bridge.  

 In the hayfields still at least 4 Lapwing chicks, 2 pairs of Egyptian Geese, 1 pair of Shoveller and hordes of feral Greylag and Canada Geese. A Bittern was booming at a windswept Dengemarsh and a couple of Marsh harriers were making half hearted attacks on a pair of Coot. While scanning the islands from Makepiece a flock of c60 Sanderling flew in briefly alighting before heading off towards the ARC, probably the largest wader flock I have seen this spring. The return via Hookers was uneventful apart from a family of Foxes.

Rainbow!

 Superb rainbow in front of Plodland this evening. (a slightly wider angle lense needed)

Hat,Gloves and winter coat were needed for the walk to and from a very quiet Patch this morning. Still 80+ Common Terns present, an adult Mediterranean Gull not yet in summer plumage,  2 Fulmars flew west, while 10+ Gannets and 15+ Sandwich Terns were feeding off shore and north Thames colour ringed Herring Gull T9DT a regular on the beach. Behind the hide a Black Redstart was singing and another near the car park.

 Ad.Mediterranean Gull

 Herring Gull T9DT

 One of the resident Wheatears along the approach road

At the ARC 100+ Swifts over the lake along with a mixed flock of c100 Swallows, Sand Martins and House Martins with a single accompanying Hobby. A chiffchaff singing in the Willow Trail, also a Water Rail and Cetti's Warbler. With the wind picking up even more and rain forecast I got some domestic stuff done. Once again the Plodland Moth trap gave slim pickings this morning.

Tree Sparrows are easy to see at Boulderwall.

Back on the Peninsular!

 1st summer Mediterranean Gull

Another day of constant strong wind on the peninsular. While making my way to The Patch this morning 2 singing Black Redstarts, 1 at the car park the other behind the hide. while there a 1st summer Mediterranean Gull was over the boil and on the beach along with at least 137 Common Terns. 2 Shelduck flew north and a Guillemot flew west, 30+ Gannets moved east and 15+ Sandwich Terns were off shore.

 Common Terns

At the ARC a Bittern was booming in the Water Tower pits, 2 Marsh Harriers and 3 Hobby's were hawking there spooking the 80+ Swifts that were over the lake. In the screen hide the Swallows are sitting tight as is the Reed Warbler nearby.  

Hobby about to grab a Dragonfly

By the entrance track to the reserve another Hobby was putting a great display completely unseen by most the day visitors as they rushed to and from the visitor centre. From the centre a Dunlin and a Sanderling could be seen on the islands, on the the new Tern raft the pair of Common Gulls are sitting tight possibly joined by a pair of Oystercatchers but no Terns as yet.

One of the 40+ Swifts over Dengemarsh

Parking at Springfield Bridge this afternoon 3 Marsh Harriers and a Hobby were over the reed bed with 40+ Swifts. At Hayfield 3 a Linnet was bathing by the pump, a Little Egret posed by the gate, 4 Shelduck, 6 Gadwall and 2 Egyptian Geese were in the field.

Linnet

Little Egret

1 of  5 Lapwing chicks I saw in the Hayfields

At Christmas Dell a Spotted flycatcher and Whinchat showed well, in the scrub Common Whitethroats, a Lesser Whitethroat, Cetti's Warblers, Sedge and Reed warblers could all be seen despite the gale that was now blowing.

Whinchat

A fresh Light Emerald from this mornings meagre catch!

Ouiet!

Very quiet around the peninsular today. At the north end of the Long Pits, 5+ Common Whitethroats, a Blackcap, 2+ Reed Warblers and 3 Swallows over. At the ARC the usual host of Coot and Mute Swans on the lake, over the Tower Pits 13+ Hobby's, a Marsh Harrier, a kestrel and a Common Buzzard, also a Spotted Flycatcher near The Pines.

 At Dengemarsh another 8+ Hobby's, 2 Marsh Harriers, 2 Little Egrets but little else of note. The Plodland moth trap had only 8 moths of 6 species.

When I got home after visiting the ARC I noticed this little beastie on my arm.

Reed Warbler

At 05.00 this morning the sun was shining in a clear blue sky, when I finally decided to get up at 06.30 the clouds had rolled in and the wind was blowing. An uninspiring and cold wander around Dengemarsh produced a few Hobby's and Swifts, a couple of Marsh Harriers, a few Common Terns, Common Whitethroats and a Lesser Whitethroat of note.

 Reed Warbler

At the ARC the Reed Warblers were still working on their nest, a cuckoo was seen but a long way from the nest. Several more Hobby's were hawking over the Tower Pits with a few more Swifts. This afternoon a Marsh Harrier gave uncharacteristic close fly by, on the lake very little apart from many Coot and Mute Swans with a few Great-crested Grebes. A very poor day avian wise considering the date. At least the Plodland moth trap performed a little better but nothing of any note was found in it.

 Reed Warbler

 Marsh Harrier

Marsh Harrier

Baie De Somme Thursday 21/05/2015

Another excellent day out in Northern France with Tony,Chris and Trevor where we managed 109 species in a fairly laid back back trip, unusually most of today's sightings were fairly camera shy. 

Last of the Summer Wine at Le Crotoy!

We started off at Sailly Bray where as we got out of the car one of many Turtle Doves seen today flew over, Blackcaps, Garden Warblers, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaffs and Song Thrushes, were all singing, a Cattle Egret fed among the cows and a Marsh Harrier, Hobby, a Common Buzzard, White Stork and Wood Sandpiper were seen. A Leveret grazed by the track, further along a Savi's Warbler buzzed and Sedge and Reed Warblers sang in a reed bed, a pair of Stonechats perched fly catching, a Grey Partridge and Mediterranean Gull were seen in an adjoining field. On small pond 6 pairs of Avocets and 5 pairs of Black-winged Stilts were on nests while being serenaded by Nightingales and more Warblers including Marsh Warblers. 

Leveret

Black-winged Stilt

From the sea wall near Le Crotoy the first of  20+ Great White Egrets seen today flew by, Little Egrets were abundant here, a White Stork strutted in the field by the wall before flying overhead. Several Yellow Wagtails and a Great Spotted Woodpecker were seen but the stars were the Savi's Warblers which were collecting food for there nestlings. The first Honey Buzzard of the day was seen distantly and some Bearded Tits were recorded. 

White Stork fly by

Savi's Warbler (heavily cropped)

Savi's Warbler

Icterine Warbler (heavily cropped)

At another site near Le Crotoy an Icterine Warbler was singing, competing with a nightingale and Garden Warblers. 

Icterine Warbler (heavily cropped)

A  stop off at La Basse pools was disappointing by its usual standards as not a single Garganey was seen (9 in last months visit) though a Cattle Egret, White Wagtails, Mediterranean Gulls a distant White Stork and another Marsh warbler were ample compensation.

Melodious Warbler (heavily cropped)

Our last stop was Crecy Forest, at our usual raptor viewpoint it took at least 5 minutes (usually quicker) before the first of at least 3 Honey Buzzards appeared though unusually they were all high and quite distant. While there, several Common Buzzards and 2 Hobby's were seen, also a super adult male Hen Harrier. In the forest proper, a fabulous woodland made up of towering ancient Beech and Oak Trees, Hornbeam, Birch, Pine, coppiced Hazel and  Broom which grows in the cleared areas and appears to be the favourite of the Melodious Warblers. Although it was mid afternoon and very warm when we were there, Garden Warblers, Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs, Willow Warblers were all singing, as were 2 male Melodious Warblers, we had several sightings of Middle Spotted Woodpeckers, stunning Firecrests, Crested Tits and more. Where a small fresh water steam runs by the forest Grey Wagtail, Black Redstart and another Marsh Warbler were seen. All in all another fabulous day out in great company. Many thanks to Tony for doing the driving and the organising, also to Chris wife Carol for making the lovely Victoria Sponge. (retirement rocks)

Map Butterfly in Crecy Forest