Friday 12th.February 2010

Just a quick post before heading off to do some hedgelaying in the West Country tomorrow , stopping overnight in Cirencester .
This morning had a real feeling of 'deja vous' about it , as following Simon's postng last night that the Jack Snipe had been seen again in Mote Park , Maidstone . Mind you , I was having second thoughts as I neared the M25 , to find a swirling blizzard and fog . Hoping I would run out of the weather as I headed East , I continued , knowing that I only had till midday to try again for the two species that I missed out on last week .
Luckily , the weather did indeed improve from Wrotham Hill onwards , and by the time I reached the park , it was dry underfoot . More importantly , the water level in the old pond behind the waterfall was as normal , compared to the raised level last week .
Getting there at about 8.30 , I managed to get variable views of Water Rail for about 15/20 minutes , before it disappeared up the gully . Searched the vegetation , without luck for the Jack Snipe , till along came Simon , heading to meet a group for a guided tour of the park , and within seconds , he had found it . I must admit , that if I had searched all day , I wouldn't have spotted it , oh for sharp young eyes again . I'm glad to say , the Snipe was still in situ when Simon and his group arrived , and they too were very pleased to see the rarity . I stayed till midday , but apart from moving it's head position , it stayed well tucked up in the dead vegetation .
Many thanks to Simon ( Mote Park - A Wildlife Patchwork ) again for his information and 'young eyes' .

Wednesday 10th.February 2010

After two very cold days up on the Greensand Ridge , I finally finished the hedgelaying , just in time if tonight's forecast of a few inches of snow is correct . Part of the Ridge forms one of the highest points in Kent , so if it's coming , the Ridge is sure to get it . The job has been protracted by the weather and injuries to the Warden and the other volunteer , so I am well pleased that it is behind us now . The 330 metres here , plus another 90 metres just after returning from New Zealand , adds up to almost 1/4 mile of hedgelaying , without taking into account the outings with the Surrey Hedgelaying Group .
Both yesterday and today , large numbers of Winter Thrushes were feeding in the fields directly behind the hedge , and unlike Warren's flock , they were mainly Fieldfares , with a few Redwings , and a large number of Starlings interspersed amongst them . A shot of the three species , taken with the old camera , as the new one will not be coming out with me whilst I am working , just in case . In the sunshine , between the snow showers , the Fieldfare made a striking subject , as it searched the grassland for worms and other tasty morsels .
A bewildered Mistle Thrush could only look on , and hope that the foreigners didn't eat absolutely everything in sight .
Tomorrow is meant to be a work day up on the Common , but that too , will be decided by the overnight weather .

Sunday 7th.February 2010

After spending yesterday hedgelaying near Lingfield , in glorious sunshine and blue skies , although Carol wasn't as lucky at home , today was the total opposite . Dull , dank , miserable , with occasional drizzle , and the temperature reduced by half .

Regardless , the bird survey at Down House was overdue , so off I headed , with headlights on . The grounds were enshrouded in mist , and the cat thermometer showed that the temperature had fallen another couple of degrees since leaving home . Well wrapped for the conditions , I set off to almost silence . Just a single Wren scolding me from one of the formal flowerbeds . Absolutely nothing was seen in the walled vegetable garden , I think that was a first since staring the survey here . The large meadow produced a few common species , the best of which were two Green Woodpeckers feeding on the ground . I tried to approach them for a photo , but they were off well before I got anywhere near . The small woodland , the path around which Darwin walked whilst thinking about his theories produced a single Stock Dove and 4 Jackdaws . Looking down to where the path loops around to return on itself , something moved in the gloom . Having found Deer in this area in the past , I got the camera ready and waited quietly . Then , from behind the trunk of a large Beech , a female Roe Deer emerged , casually browsing the pathside vegetation . The lens focused on her , but , because it was so gloomy , the inbuilt flash clicked up , and she heard it . I took the shot and as you can see , the flash was caught in her eyes . It didn't seem to scare her , as she just had a look around , giving me another opportunity of a shot , then strolling back behind the Beech and out of sight . I made my way as quietly as I could , using the Beech for cover , but when I got to the tree , there was no sign of her . Getting back to the bird survey , the Cricket Field and the two small meadows produced just a few more common species , and by the time I got back to the house , a measly 13 species was all that I had got , apart from very cold hands . Only other interest was that the Jacob's Sheep are grazing the meadows , but even they looked pretty fed up with the weather conditions .

On the way home , I stopped at Keston Ponds , now finally defrosted , to check on the Mandarins . I counted 15 , split 9 male and 6 female , all roosting on overhanging branches .

I arrived home just in time for the week ahead's weather forecast , which looks as if we are returning to the 'W' word , especially in the east , with overnight temperatures below freezing .

Friday 5th.February 2010

On the strength of Simon -Mote Park , A Wildlife Patchwork's posting last night , I set off this morning to finally to get some decent photos of one of the three Water Rails that were showing well on his patch .
I found the Park fine , and , after asking a few passers by , found the old pond behind the waterfall . As I arrived , I noticed a Grey Wagtail feeding close by ,
a Moorhen , fossicking towards the back of the pond , and very briefly , a Water Rail to the right of the Moorhen . I reached for the camera , and in the few seconds , the Water Rail had 'ghosted' away , not to be seen , by me again . After a while , a young man approached , sporting the same lens that I was sporting . It had to be Simon , and sure enough , it was . We chatted , waiting for the Water Rail , or even the Jack Snipe to show up , neither did . Simon said that he had left a friend trying to photograph another Water Rail 10 minutes away , by the side of a bridge . We decided to head over there , and see if that individual was more willing to get in front of the lens . On the way , Simon showed me an Oak , where a little Owl lived . As we approached the bridge , Simon's friend could be seen walking towards us , not exactly encouraging . When we reached him , he said that the Water Rail that they were watching , disappeared , and didn't show again , it was deja vous . Did finally get Siskins by the bridge , when a flock of 15/20 flew in and started to feed , high in the riverside Alders . After showing me some other places of interest , Simon had to leave to get back to his studies , and I started looking around on my own . Everywhere one went in the Park , Mistle Thrushes could be heard , singing their 'funeral dirge' song . Those that weren't singing , were feeding on the ground , and this time I didn't have to point the camera at houses . The amount of Mistletoe in the trees in and around the Park , shows that they are there in good numbers . I spent the time shuttling between the old pond and the bridge , thinking to myself that the Water Rails were going for cover as I approached and coming out to feed when I had gone to the other site . On one of the walks between sites , I came across this Jay , but once again failed to get a really clear shot . On one occasion when I returned to the old pond , the call of a Tree Creeper had me looking up into an Alder . I managed to get several shots before that also disappeared from view . Every time I walked between the two sites , I looked for the Little Owl , in it's hole , described by Simon as heart shaped , and sure enough it was easy to find . Having found nothing on previous passes , I was surprised to find the 'Little Owl' at home on my last look . Time to update the field guide Simon ? - only kidding .
Last visit to the bridge produced another Simon , who had photographed a Water Rail a bit further on , about an hour ago . He kindly showed me the area where he had found it , but it was not to be found again . Thanks for the info Simon , enjoyed meeting you , not just because you too had a Cannon camera and the same lens as me .
When I returned to the old pond for the last time , two people with binoculars , were peering intently towards the back of the pond . Water Rail ? , I asked . 'Yes , it showed for a couple of seconds and' , yes you've guessed it , 'disappeared' . I hung about as long as I could , not to get caught up in the rush hour traffic , then gave up on my target species for the day .
Good meeting you Simon , I can now place areas mentioned in your posts , and I shall be back for another try at the Water Rails .

Thursday 4th.February 2010

After today , I am prepared to extend the 'S' word to 'Spr' , which will hopefully appease a certain Blogger , but still not yet ready to go the whole hog .
This morning's mirk and continuous drizzle put paid to the workday up on the Common , as today's task was to be burning off the leggy Gorse that was cut last week , but after so much dampness , there was little chance of getting a fire started , never mind burning all the wet Gorse .
Looking out of the back bedroom window , three houses down , the Magpies have finished refirbishing/enlarging last year's nest , and from the look of it , have roofed it with twigs from the Tamarisk tree in our garden , having seen them ripping it about on several occassions . The pair are strutting about the area , ensuring the security of the area , and seeing off any likely predators , like this Carrion Crow that came too close . Seeing the pair side by side , the male I think on the left , there seems to be a noticable difference at the base of the bill that I hadn't noticed before . Any ideas ?
The drizzle did stop about lunchtime , and once again , a bit of brightness had me heading for High Broom Wood , near West Wickham , on yet another search for Siskin and Redpoll . In years past , I could reckon on getting them both here , but not in recent years . Once again , the 20 mtr, Alders that line the stream were devoid of feeding Finches , and whenever I saw a small bird , it was never the species that I wanted . In the stream I did find a female Grey Wagtail , but once again the light and her constant movement , I was unable to do her justice . On a fallen tree , I found Flammulina velutipes-Velvet Shank , so called because it's stem is covered with brown hairs , giving it a velvety look . Another small bird appeared briefly , but it turned out to be a Wren , and showed what it thought of my intrusion , by turning it's back end to me . On the woodland floor , Bluebells were well through the leaf litter , along with leaves of Lesser Celandine and Lords& Ladies .I had noticed walking around , that some of the Hazel stools had male catkins that had opened . I had a closer look , and after a while , found my first female Hazel flowers of the year . Tiny little deep red flowers looking like sea anemones , the spotting of which was made harder by the light conditions . If you haven't found them before , look for the open male catkins , as the female flowers appear at that time , hopefully to be pollinated and produce the nuts . On my return journey on the other side of the stream , the sun actually broke through , and when I got back to the car , the thermometer was reading a balmy 11C . Another reason for going half way to the full 'S' word .

Wednesday 3rd.February 2010

Another two working days lost up on the Greensand Ridge this week . Yesterday was horrible and today was forcasted to be the same , but we did get a drier , slightly brighter patch around midday / early afternoon . Carol and I went early to Bromley to do some shopping , and as the bus arrived , I noticed a small flock of small birds feeding high in the top of a Silver Birch . Without binoculars I couldn't be sure of the species , and the arrival of the bus cut short the sighting . Later , as we got off the bus , a large Thrush type , flew off a tree that still carried berries , and over the rooftops into back gardens . Arriving home , I grabbed binoculars and camera , and went back to the bus stop . I soon located the small birds feeding in the Silver Birch , they had only moved two trees up the road , but unfortunately they were Goldfinches , not the Siskins or Redpolls that I hoped they would be . No sign of the large Thrush on or near the berried tree , but then I spotted not one but two Mistle Thrushes , sitting on the roof of one of the houses . Pointing a camera towards someone's house is always dodgy , but I got a few shots of the two birds , and lived to tell the tale . After lunch , with the brighter spell holding , I headed for a look around Keston Ponds . On arrival , I went to the bottom pond to check on the Mandarins and found one male perched on the overhanging branch roost . A look around the other two ponds found nothing new birdwise and no sign of Treecreeper or Grey Wagtail . The only interesting thing found was the first flower on Blackthorn , whilst the ponds still have large areas iced over . I went back to the bottom pond before leaving and was pleased to find the Mandarin population had grown to 17 . They must have flown in whilst I was at the upper ponds . Here , half of them parading on the ice , with the males doing their 'I'm taller than you' bit , along with lots of snorting . Given the number here and the number last seen at Kelsey Park , I'm pretty sure that these birds spent the worst of the bad weather in the moving water of the lake at Kelsey Park . From there , with the weather deteriorating quickly , I made a quick visit to Hayes Farm , but in all honesty , it was a waste of time , as very little was found . Plenty of Gulls and Corvids , 3 Fieldfares high in an Oak , very little on the Trout Fishery , apart from a Cormorant that flew off it's perch on a duck house as soon as it saw me . The anglers won't be pleased if it hangs around for any length of time . Just one Rabbit out feeding today , but from the look of it's eyes , it's not very well , and it had lost a lump out of one of it's ears . A brief sighting of the Finch flock flying over , and by the time I got back to the car , the drizzle had started again and it was getting cold .
At home , looking out of the back bedroom window , I just couldn't resist one final shot of this RRP in next door's Laburnum tree .

Monday 1st.February 2010

With the sun shining and the temperature just above freezing , I decided on two visits today . The first to New Hythe to see if I could catch up with Siskin and Redpoll , as I usually see them there , then on to Cliffe Pools to see how it has changed since my last visit , many years ago .
Parking in Lunsford Lane , the plan was to walk to the railway and back , getting the two species mentioned , along with Firecrest , Jack Snipe and Woodcock . That's where the plan backfired , as I didn't get any of them . Over at the scrub area , I met a local birder Alan , who , embarrassingly , I had met there before , but didn't recognise him , sorry Allan . He was heading for the furthest lake to try and find a female Goldeneye that had been reported to him by Phil Sharpe . I said I would head back to the car and drive to the car park and have a look myself . As I said , I didn't find any of my wish list , but did photograph male and female Gadwall

on one lake and three male Pochard , dozing in the sun on another .I met Allan again as I finished a circuit of the lake , but there was no sign of the reported female .
I headed off to Cliffe Pools , arriving just after midday , just before high tide . The sun was still out , but a bitter wind was blowing across the pools . I walked the path between Flamingo and Alpha pools , towards the sea , but did not find much of interest , just Tufted , Mallard and a few Little Grebe . When I reached the end of Flamingo Pool , I met a birder from West London who was making a second visit , by public transport , to try and see the Shore Larks that have been around for some time . Quite a job with small birds in a very large area . As we were talking , large numbers of waders started streaming in off the sea , to their high tide roost on Flamingo Pool . Impossible to say how many , what looks like stones on this spit , are all Dunlin , so too are all those in the air , looking for space to land . The Dunlin alone must have run into 1,000s , then there were the Godwits and Grey Plovers and other species , quite a sight . Whilst watching the waders , I noticed a male Marsh Harrier , quartering the area some distance beyond the pool . I tried a few shots , but he was a good distance off , but this was the best effort . A local birder was kind enough to tell us some of the places where the Shore Larks had been seen , and we tried these places without success . But all was not lost , as whilst looking , I got this shot of male and female Goldeneye , once again at distance . I was starting to remember why I haven't visited for a while , everything here seems to be at distance . Several Greenshank were recorded , this one was ringed on both legs . When we returned to the original spot , another local birder had located the three Shore Larks , well , three heads bobbing up out of the vegetation , about 100 mtrs+ away from where we were standing , just viewable with binoculars . Sharing a scope , I got one good view of two of them , but that was all .
By leaving time , the day list on the two sites had reached 55 . I won't list them all as many were common , but a few of the other highlights were , 5 Snipe flushed from the water margins , a fleeting glimpse of a Merlin , whilst looking at waders , 7 Pintail low overhead before circling and landing at a distance and a Little Egret sitting in an Ivy clad tree behind the lay by at New Hythe . It must like a fryup , as the smell of bacon was driving me crazy on the other side of the lake .