11/06/2024

In 90 minutes early morning the ARC I didn't see a single Bee, hopefully it was only because the temperature was 7° ridiculously low for this time of year, I didn't bother with the moth traps either. The pair of Avocets at the ARC finally look as though they will nest, I have seen them mating and making a nest scrape. Hopefully there will be no serious rain in the coming weeks so that the islands will good for returning migrants.

Another wander around the reserve today saw very little change, still 4 Avocets on the hay fields but no sign of the Garganey, though it could easily be hiding in the sedge. The cold north wind seems to have a subdued effect on all the birds as very little song was heard. 

Superb display by several 100s of Swifts at the ARC last night

Sucking in the insects

Hobby in the morning heat haze despite the cold wind

Brown Hare from last night

Surveying its domain

09/06/2024

This time of year is usually very quiet avian wise as most of the resident species have settled down to breeding. An early morning visit to the ARC saw a couple of Avocets on a sliver of an island that is now above water, with the continuing dry weather albeit not very summery there should soon be enough islands showing that they might have a try at nesting. So far the seabird rafts around the reserve don't seem to be attracting many sea birds, in fact I didn't see a single Tern on the reserve in the last couple of days.Reed and sedge Warblers numbers appear to be in low numbers as are Common Whitethroats, Lesser Whitethroats appear to be in good numbers. A bittern was booming at the ARC this morning, also another at Hookers and another at Dengemarsh, Bearded Tit numbers seem to be low this year but there is a pair or 2 at the ARC. The hay fields although looking good don't seem to be attracting many breeding birds, possibly due to to the hordes of Crows, disturbance the farmer moving cattle and and the the seeming ever present sound of strimmers and mowers. The drake Garganey and some times a duck have been showing on the Hayfield 1 along with up to 6 Avocet, notably very few Redshank and Lapwing, though some pairs of Lapwing seem to successful outside the protected areas.

Garganey spooked by a Teal that was spooked by a Coot

 

Sedge Warbler

Reed Bunting

Marsh Harrier

Lesser Whitethroat

Along the Lydd track plenty of Skylarks and Meadow Pipits, also a few Corn buntings and Yellow Wagtails, with Hobbys hawking the ditches. 

Skylark in the sunshine

Skylark in cloudy weather

Meadow Pipit

Corn Bunting

Lapwing Chick on the Oxbow

07/06/2024

Yesterday morning I was enjoying a cup of tea with Dave Bunney and Owen when Dave spotted a high flying raptor which turned out to be another Black Kite, our 3rd one in a few days. Unfortunately the rest of my day was taken up with domestic tasks, like most of today after my early morning walk around the reserve.

2 of 4 Avocets on the emerging islands on the ARC

Common Tern over the ARC, a rare sight there this year.

Common Whitethroat

Garganey on hayfield 1

5 Cattle Egrets that were roving the hay fields

A Red Kite that flew in front my house this morning, thanks to John Y for letting me know it was headed in my direction.

The Home Office De Havilland that seems to daily fly into Lydd Airport

 

Guines and Oye Plage

Myself and Chris had a very laid back day trip to the Calais area yesterday, we departed Folkestone at 06.18 arriving at Guines Boardwalk around 08.00 with Chris doing the driving. One of the first birds we saw was an Osprey a very good start, a couple of Common Buzzards and 4 Marsh Harriers along with a couple of Hobbys were soon seen, Song Thrushes, Blackbirds, Garden Warblers, Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs, 

and the usual common birds were all in fine song, but Reed Warblers and Sedge Warblers seemed to be in very low numbers, we found at least 3 Marsh Warblers whose singing was sublime, if you follow the link below it should take you to YouTube of an unseen Marsh warbler in full mimicry, a Short-toed Treecreeper was also seen there, along with lots of Cuckoos including several bubbling females. Before the sun came out fully there were good numbers of Swifts around. Also a big thank you to Carol (Chris's wife) for the lovely sponge cake which rounded off a fantastic day out, many thanks Chris.

We surprised to see an Osprey when we first arrived

       The best view I had of any of the several Marsh Warblers that were singing, click Here to go to a YouTube of one of the Marsh Warblers in full sublime song.

 

A Short-toed Treecreeper was seen

Good numbers of Cuckoo's were present

Our next stop was Guines Forest just a short distance from the boardwalk, but we made a stop just before we reached the carpark at spot where we could view over the forest. We immediately saw Common Buzzards and after a short time a Honey Buzzard as well as Corn Bunting and Yellowhammer and Jay.

White Wagtail Guines Forest

Melodious Warbler Guines Forest

Once in the forest it was fairly quiet with just a few of the normal woodland species seen and heard. We did find a singing a Melodious Warbler which can hear by clicking the link HERE

Our last stop was at Oye Plage which is always a great reserve for birds despite the hunting. Lots of noisy Black-winged Stilts which gave great views 8+ Garganey, 3 1st summer Little Gulls, 2 pairs of Black-necked Grebes with young, lots of Avocets and more. On the gravel pit which can be viewed distantly 1,000+ Sandwich Terns with a few Common and Little Terns, Ringed, Little ringed and a pair of Kentish Plovers with 3 fluff balls. On the beach 8+ Kentish Plovers and more Little Terns but the biggest surprise was 4 Zitting Cisticolas (Fan-tailed Warblers)

Black-winged Stilts

 

Zitting Cisticolas

The Kentish Plovers were in the protected area but gave excellent scope views 

Black-necked Grebe feeding young

One of the Little Gulls

A Ringed Teal was an oddity at Oye Plage as was the Ruddy Shelduck below.