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

Dengemarsh

Bittern over Dengemarsh

 At a chilly windy Dengemarsh this morning several Hobby's hawking over the hayfields, a Bittern put in a brief flyby with another booming regularly nearby. Overhead with the Hobby's plenty of Swifts, House Martins and Swallows, a pair of Marsh Harriers doing spectacular food passes. A pair of Egyptian Geese were on the flood and at least 2 Lapwing chicks in the hayfields, also a Black-tailed Godwit. 2 of the 3 Tern rafts have been commandeered by pairs of Common Gulls. At the ramp a Cuckoo calling unseen as were the Bearded Tits. The wind picked up as the clouds rolled in and the temperature dropped causing the Hobby's to settle on the fence posts and pose for the camera.

Hobby

Reed Warbler

This afternoon I spent another hour watching the Reed Warblers build there nest, ripping Reed Mace apart to line it but no Cuckoo there today. A late afternoon walk to the Water Tower found another 6 Hobby's over the ARC along with 100+ Swifts. From the screen the Swallows are still sitting, Little and Great-crested Grebes, a Marsh Harrier were seen but little else of note.

Hobby

Other news was of a Nuthatch seen briefly this afternoon near The point by one observer, representing the second record for the peninsular.

Just 2 moths last night including this Bordered Straw.

It can only get better!

The last couple of days have been hard work around Dungeness, the high winds, cold and rain reminiscent of November, as for the early morning sea watches they have been dire and the bushes avian free zones.

 The Scotney Herring Gulls yesterday sitting tight despite the waves breaking over them!

I have spent several hours in the last couple of days scanning 100s of Hirundines for something unusual to no avail. Today in particular at the ARC, House Martins numbered in the 100s as did the Swifts little wonder that there were plenty of Hobby's in attendance. I watched a Reed Warbler building its nest showing amazing dexterity winding strips of reed around a reed stem. Very close by a Cuckoo was perched up, I will keep a close eye on this nest just in case the Cuckoo decides to use it as well. The Swallows in the Screen hide are now sitting on eggs, so please try not use that end of the hide, though I don't think they take much notice of people in there.  

A walk around the Hayfields and Dengemarsh today just about dodging the showers, found 9 Ringed Plovers and 2 Little Ringed Plovers of note on Hayfield 3, a Lapwing chick showed very briefly on Hayfield 1, hopefully it will avoid the hordes of predators and fledge. Sheltering from a shower in Dengemarsh hide a Bittern flew across the reed bed and 3+ Marsh Harriers could be seen. An unseen Cuckoo was calling and Reed, Sedge and Cetti's Warblers were singing. The Tern rafts were more or less Tern free hopefully they were all out fishing. On the way back to Springfield bridge 2 Yellow Wagtails were with the cattle on Dengemarsh Flood and a cold Hobby posed on the anti predator fence.

As for the Plodland moth trap for last 2 nights nil points!

 Hobby Dengemarsh

Hobby's

 A disappointing wander around the bushes on The Point this morning, no new migrants just a handful of Swallows over. 2 Black Redstarts were singing by the power station along with several Common Whitethroats.

 A check of Burrowes Pit found no sign of yesterdays Bonapate's Gull, just a Turnstone of any note.
At Boulderwall and the Tower Pits 20+ Hobby's and many Swifts spent several hours hawking mainly high over the lakes.

 While trying to photograph them a more distant raptor caught my attention, a Honey Buzzard cruised quickly in land.

A couple of hours spent sky watching for raptors from home saw at minimum of 10 Hobby's, 2 Peregrines, 2 Marsh Harriers, 3 Common Buzzards and a Raven of note, but no Kites.

A very windy Dengemarsh late afternoon, the Bittern was booming, 3+ Marsh Harriers, 40+ Common terns were screaming over the lake, a Ruff on the Hayfield along with 6 Ringed Plovers and 2 Little Ringed Plovers and 2 Black-tailed Godwits.

A Common Buzzard in the heat haze at Cockles Bridge.

White-winged Black Terns again.

05.45-08.45 Thanks to AJG for collating the numbers.

Brent Goose: 4E

Common Scoter: 52E

Red-breasted Merganser: 3E

Fulmar: 3W

Gannet: 76 W     

Little Egret: 1 in

Hobby: 2 in

Curlew: 1 E

Whimbrel: 5E

Dunlin: 6E

Sanderling: 15E

Oystercatcher: 2E

Guillemot: 2E

Auk sp: 7W

Arctic Skua: 2E

Mediterranean Gull: 1 around

Kittiwake: 4E

Sandwich Tern: 272E

Commic Tern: 981E

Little Tern: 5E

Swift: 1 in

Swallow: 2 in

On the reserve at Hayfield 3, 6 Ringed Plovers, 1 Little Ringed Plover, 1 Grey Plover and 6 Dunlin, also in the area 5+ Hobby's and the usual wildfowl and Warblers. On Burrowes the 2 White-winged Black Terns still performing but never really giving themselves up for the camera. On the islands 2 Grey Plovers, a Knot, a Turnstone, 2 Ringed Plovers, a Dunlin and a Greenshank over, also 2 more Hobby's over the lake and 100s of Swifts and Hirundines. This afternoon was taken up with domestic stuff, but another visit to Burrowes this evening found the WWB Terns still present to at least 19.00hrs. 

 White-winged Black Tern

 White-winged Black Terns.

White-winged Black Tern!

A reasonable watch this morning which quickly petered out after 08.00.
05.45-09.00
Garganey: 1E drake
Common Scoter: 21E
Black-throated Dive:r 2E
Red-throated Diver: 2E
Fulmar: 3 around
Gannet: 46E
Sanderling: 16E
Dunlin: 25E
Whimbrel: 4E
Bar_tailed Godwit:1E
Arctic Skua:  6E (5 LP  1 DP)
Kittiwake: 6E
Commic Tern: 1304E
Sandwich Tern: 418E
Guillemot: 3E
Auk sp: 2E
Swallow: 47 in

After spending a while checking all the Hirundines hawking over the ARC I drove down to the visitor centre car park at the reserve. As I got of the car a Tern flew over a few feet above me and disappeared over the bank, my immediate thought was White-winged Black Tern, I went into the visitor centre and scanned Burrowes for a few minutes until I finally located not one but 2 summer plumage White-winged Black Terns. Most of the rest of the day was spent trying to get some images of the Terns with absolutely no success, mainly due to the Terns keeping as far from the hides as possible and the dull and very wet conditions.
While watching them 15 Dunlin put in a brief appearance as did a Grey Plover, 2 Ringed Plover and 2 Turnstone. 100s each of Swallows and Swifts could be seen over the lakes along with a couple of Hobby's.

Golden Oriole!

This mornings sea watch was indicative of this years Dungeness spring sea passage, very poor! A desperate lack of waders, dabblers, Terns not to mention Poms!

06.15-09.55

Mute Swan: 2W

Eider: 2E

Common Scoter: 29E

Gannet: 6E  2W

Oystercatcher: 9E

Sanderling: 10E

Bar-tailed Godwit: 10E

Kittiwake: 1E

Little Tern: 1E

Common Tern: c30 o/s

Sandwich Tern: c15 o/s

Swallow: 3in

Harbour Porpoise: c6

 Eider's

This mornings watch was mercifully bought to an end by news from SB of a Golden Oriole  at the Water Tower Pits. Arriving on site the Oriole had not been heard for a few minutes so I joined SB for a look around. A few minutes later the Oriole gave us a short flight few, followed by 2 more, the last one being as it towered away towards Lydd.

 Hobby's Dengemarsh

Early afternoon was spent on a fruitless search for a Purple Heron that had been reported on the reserve, while wandering around several Hobby's could be seen around Dengemarsh, along with 2 Cuckoo's, 2+ Marsh Harriers, good numbers of Sedge, Reed and Cetti's Warblers, a couple of Bearded Tits. Hayfield 3 held a White Wagtail, 5 Ringed Plovers, 2 Little Egrets and 2 Egyptian Geese of note.  

Another hours watch from the fishing boats saw just 16 Bar-tailed Godwits and few Common and Sandwich Terns.

Little Owl!

05.30-08.00 from the sea watch hide. Thanks to AJG for collating the numbers.

Velvet Scoter: 2W

Common Scoter: 68E

Fulmar: 2E

Gannet: 68W

Oystercatcher: 5E

Great Skua: 1E

Arctic Skua: 3E

Pomarine Skua: 1E

Kittiwake: 12E

Sandwich Tern: 68E

Commic Tern: 238E

Guillemot: 8E

Auk sp: 14E

Swift: 1 in

Swallow: 6 in

A wander around the trapping area and Long Pits found of note 5 Blackcaps singing, 5 Reed Warblers singing, a Chiffchaff, a Lesser Whitethroat, a Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Turtle Doves and 12 Jackdaws over.

 Round Lloyds and West Beach 2 Wheatears and a singing Black Redstart.

Another hour sea watcing 10.15-11.15 saw only a single Kittiwake east of any note. At the south end of the ARC a handsome White Wagtail and a Cuckoo, along with a Swallows and Swifts over the lake.

 In Lydd a Little Owl took no notice of me as it ran around and flew to perches while hunting worms and insects

 This afternoon at Dengemarsh 3 Hobby's and a Marsh Harrier could just about be seen through the thickening sea fog that put end to today's biding as it rolled in at lunchtime.

A few more moths today in the Plodland trap the best being this male Muslin Moth.

Scotney!

05.30-08.00 from the sea watch hide:

Brent Goose: 10E

Common Scoter: 38E

Fulmar: 5W

Gannet: 69W

Oystercatcher: 12E

Kittiwake: 2W

Sandwich Tern: 14E

Common Tern: 228E

Black Tern: 1 on The Patch

Guillemot 2 up, 2 down

Auk sp: 3W

Swallow: 19 in

As the sea watching was so slow and thin fare on the land, I took the opportunity to spend most of the day getting the garden tided up. A visit to Dengemarsh Gully this afternoon found nothing of note.

It is not often you can wander around the back of Scotney pits on a warm still evening. In the 2.5 hrs I spent there this evening, Corn Buntings could be heard singing non stop as could Skylarks and numerous Yellow Wagtails and Linnets. On the islands of the back lake 9 sitting Avocets, at least 7 Little Ringed Plovers, 2 Dunlin, 2 Black-tailed Godwits, a Redshank and a few pairs of Black-headed Gulls and some Common Terns that might be prospecting. On the margins 3 Little Egrets and a Great White Egret, the usual feral geese including 3 Egyptian Geese and a Barnacle Goose. Further out by the wind turbines 2 Barn Owls, 4 Tree Sparrows and a Marsh Harrier. A brilliant evening with the only downside being the myriads of midges that found there way into my ears, nose and mouth. 

A bit of a blow again!

Once again with strong SW winds the best part of the day was spent sea watching, 6hrs between 06.00 & 18.00 produced a meagre return. Thanks to AJG for collating the numbers.
Brent Goose: 1E
Common Scoter: 79E
Fulmar: 17E   3W
Gannet: 148E   17W
Oystercatcher: 4E
Great Skua: 4E
Arctic Skua: 7E
Kittiwake: 15E
Mediterranean Gull: 2E
Sandwich Tern: 24E
Commic Tern: 376E  102W
Guillemot: 5W
Auk sp: 26W
Swift: 2 in
Swallow: 58 in

House Martin: 1 in

Harbour Porpoise: 4+

Common Seal: 1

At the back of a windswept Scotney 8+ pairs of Avocets hunkered down, along with 2 Little Ringed Plovers, 3 Little Egrets, a Great White Egret, 6+ Yellow Wagtails, 3 Corn Buntings and numerous Swifts.

Hobby's and Swifts were much in evidence at Dengemarsh but little else was seen due to the strong winds.