Friday 6th. February 2009

What a miserable day it has been today . A local walk this morning couldn't be classed as pleasant , with wet slush under foot , sleet showers and an allover dull feel to the day . The wildlife must have felt pretty much the same , as there was very little of it about . For the second day running , work up on the Common was cancelled because of the conditions .

After lunch , I came up to the back bedroom to do some much needed sorting out of pictures on the computer . The weather got worse with almost constant sleet or drizzle . Whilst at the computer , I caught a flash outside the window , out of the corner of my eye . I looked right and caught the back end of a Grey Heron disappearing behind the houses , only to make a sharp left turn and lift , and finish up at the top of a conifer in the gardens backing on . It was about 40mtrs. away , and with the light conditions , I knew the shots would be poor , but I started taking a couple anyway . After a couple of Jackdaws and a Magpie had given it some grief from a distance , it started to preen itself . Suddenly , from out of nowhere , it was attacked by a very vociferous Carrion Crow . I missed the first couple of sortis because I wasn't expecting them , and then thought I had missed the opportunity , as the Crow was now perched some distance and out of sight of the Heron . I carried on watching and hoping , and , eventually , the Crow came in for seconds .

And thirds .

The Crow made several sortis with varying amount of interest being shown by the Heron .

But , before leaving the Heron in peace to get on with it's wash and brush up , I took my favourite shot , with the Crow looking like something out of a TV cartoon .

I can't think which cartoon it was , but someone might ?

The only other thing of interest was in next door's garden , where a Jackdaw was on the fat ball seemingly to be thinking 'if Blue Tits can do it , so can I' .

Mind you , the smart ones get the meal without the effort .
Hedgelaying tomorrow at the bottom of the Downs at Dorking , apparently it's a snow-free zone !

Wednesday 4th. February 2009

No volunteering yesterday or today , holidays and weather coming into play . But , I had a task to do up on the Greensand Ridge , and that was to refresh the water in the Snowy Owl's aviary , and also to replenish the bird feeders in my mate's garden .

Amazingly , even though it is one of the highest points in Kent , the snowfall had been much less than where I live , closer in towards London . The Snowy Owls looked really at home with theweather , as they should , as they breed in the tundra in the wild . Both male and female were vociferous as I entered the aviary , and the male flew from one end to the other , the first time I have seen either in proper flight . The wingspan is impressive , and it's good to know they were saved from a cage , in which they couldn't spread their wings , nevermind fly .But they soon settled down , and watched what I was doing . I can't remember if I mentioned it before , but Snowy Owls need water to drink and bathe , whereas Tawny and Barn Owl need it just to bathe , as they get their moisture from their food .

All six feeders in the garden were empty and were replenished with peanuts , sunflowere hearts , seed mixture and fat balls . No sooner were they back up , then the garden came to life . I got in the car and sat and watched for a while , with camera at the ready .

Plenty of Blue Tits and Great Tits .

A pair of Nuthatches made darting visits .

One of the rescued Barn Owls came out to see what all the commotion was about .

And it couldn't be a snowy post without a Robin . Other species that came to the feeders included Gt.Spotted Woodpecker , Dunnock , Blackbird , Goldcrest , Chaffinch , Greenfinch , Collared Dove and Woodpigeon .

On returning home , the sky was alive with the local Jackdaws , someone or something had put them up and this shot caught about 60 , but there were many others out of shot .

Monday 2nd.February 2009

Needless to say , I didn't get out today , so concentrated on the birds in the garden . First job was to clear 8/9 inches ( 20/25 cms. in new money ) of snow off the back path , put down a good quantity of food and refresh the water bowls .

Whilst doing so , I could hear Fieldfares and Redwings calling from surrounding gardens , and the sky seemed to be alive with birds , probably looking for somewhere that wasn't white . By the time I got inside and up to the back bedroom window , thew mixed Finch flock had already decended onto the food on the path and in the feeders . The Chaffinch numbers were well up on previous days , but fewer Goldfinches and just the odd one or two Greenfinches . Whilst watching them , I spotted a female Brambling settle in the Laburnum tree next door , then warily fly down to the path . With that , the children next door , the school being closed came screaming into the back garden to play in the snow , and everything disappeared , including the Brambling .After a while , and the children's hands having got cold , the Finches returned , but no sign of the female Brambling .

The 'chak-chak' of the Fieldfares seemed to be closer now and with binoculars , I found them with 2 Redwings , finishing off the last few berries , almost at ground level , on the Cotoneaster shrub in the other neighbour's garden . No sooner had they finished them , then their children came out to play in the snow , once again dispersing everything from the path .

During the morning , most of the usual visitors turned up , Collared Dove , Feral Pigeon ,

Woodpigeon , Dunnock , Blackbird - both native and foreign , Robin and a first for a long time ,

two Song Thrushes in the garden at the same time . Another unusual garden visitor was Pied Wagtail , unusual in the garden , but not unusual in the road out front . The Corvids were represented by Magpie , Carrion Crow and Jackdaw and at lunchtime , I counted 70+ Jackdaw in two Lime trees along the road .

Both male and female Great Spotted Woodpecker made several visits , as did a pair of Blue Tits . Starlings , in varying numbers also made regular visits to both feeders and path . Overhead , both Black Headed and Common Gulls were circling , looking for food . Unusually , only one Rose Ringed Parakeet was seen today , and that was unusually quiet .

Just before lunch , I went back to the window hoping that the female Brambling would reappear , she didn't , but there on the path with a couple of Chaffinches was a male . I grabbed the camera and prayed that the children had had enough of snowballs , and managed to get a couple of shots .

This afternoon , the numbers have been down , and no more views of either Brambling , still 22 species on a snowy Winter's day will do for me .

Sunday 1st.February 2009

Had a walk out with Carol this morning , and the only thing of interest found were two Redwings on the football pitch in the local park .

So after lunch , and between snow showers , I took myself off to Hayes Farm . As soon as I got out of the car , I thought about getting back in and going home . The wind was bitter and with not many trees to break it , it cut right through you . Anyway , I set off over the stile and onto the farm . The Oak at the stile held a good sized flock of Starlings and the trees behind the houses held a couple of dozen Woodpigeon , but not a sign of the Redwing flock or the mixed Finch flock . I found t 3 Greenfinch in the scrub behind the log piles , but even the Chickens were absent from the manure pile , where they have been on every visit . In the field used as a car park on Boot Sale days , about 40/50 Woodpigeon were feeding on the ground and I also had a pair of Pied Wagtails fly over , battling against the strong wind . In the top corner of the field , I found a flock of about 15 Redwings and as I approached , they flew into adjacent trees . I attempted to get closer , but as I got within camera range , a 'seep-seep' , sent them all scattering . I assumed the alarm call was for me , but from behind me , and close on their tails came a Sparrowhawk at about head height . It appeared the Redwings had too good a start and the Sparrowhawk continued at low level along the hedgeline .

I made my way to the Trout Fishery , which was really exposed with wind in today's direction , to find 3 people fly fishing . The residents seemed very similar to last time , with the exception of

just one Little Grebe , and the addition of one female Tufted Duck . But I must admit , that from a distance , I thought at first she was something else with that white patch above her bill . The initial excitement diminished when the wind blew her tuft over her head , and I was sure that it wasn't something special .

By now , even with gloves on , my hands were frozen , so headed back to the car a differnt way . Almost immediately , I found the large flock of Redwing , numbering about 40/50 feeding on the ground in one of the horse paddocks . By now I was having difficulty operating the camera , but did manage to get a few closer shots .

Feeding alongside the Redwings , were a flock of 12/15 Linnets . I tried hard to get a shot of them , but it wasn't to be , they were more flighty than the Redwings , and caused them to move off frequently . Another large flock of Woodpigeon was found on my way back to the car , but the Chaffinch/Goldfinch mixed flock evaded me .

By the time I reached the car , another snow shower was about to start , a warm cup of tea was calling .

Saturday 31st.January 2009

Down House , the home of Charles Darwin , which I am told , will be the UK's sole submission for World Heritage site status , in this the 200th. anniversary of his birth , was my target today , to do the bird survey , which along with all the other surveys , will form part of that submission .

It was a sunny but bitterly cold morning , and everything was quiet on site prior to the re-opening of the revamped displays in the house in two weeks time .

The bird count was very quiet as well with only 14 species recorded . The best of the day were two mall flocks of Winter Thrushes , both overflying , one of 9 Fieldfare and 1 Redwing , and the other of 11 Fieldfare . The second flock landed briefly in an Oak behind the cricket pavillion , but took off again almost immediately . I did manage a distant shot of the 'tail end Charlie' of this flock , but a second later , he too was gone . 2 Green and 3 Great Spotted Woodpecker were recorded , and it was also a low 2 for the ever present Rose Ringed Parakeets . Since my last visit , I noticed that the tree surgeons have done a large amount of work on their nesting tree , probably because it is on The Sandwalk , much walked by visitors to the site . It will be interesting to see if the RRPs use it this year , or choose another , of which there are many , trees with damage , making ideal nest holes . The rest of the sightings were the normal common species recorded on each visit , but I did have a very melancholy Mistle Thrush singing , but unfortunately he was outside the recording area .

In the orchard , amongst the fruit trees are a couple of Hazels , and probably because they are more protected , had much more advanced female flowers than those I posted yesterday . One of these female flowers was sure to be pollinated , as it was directly above the male catkin , and in this shot you can see the male flowers in the catkin , which produce the pollen .

Some might remember my encounter with the Jacobs sheep that had escaped onto the adjacent footpath . I tried to explain it's horns , but with the camera back , managed to get a shot of the strange configuration . Like at Rouse Farm , a few of the ewes have already had their lambs , and I promise this will be the last shots for the year of lambs .

I thought this last one hadn't made it , but with binoculars I could see it was breathing and shortly afterwards , it was bouncing along beside it's mum .

On the way home , I stopped off at the Common to make sure the fire left following yesterday's work day was OK . Always a problem leaving a fire on a public area , especially as this one was so close to a car park , but all was well . Whilst working there yesterday , another Wasp Spider egg sack was found . The light was not good then , so I went back and photographed it today . This one is lighter in colour than those found in previous years andis still 'plugged' at the top-open end . I will keep an eye on it in the Spring , and post any changes .

Finally , whilst walking in the sunshine , in areas where moss was growing , there appeared to be a carpet of red/orange , raised up above the green of the moss . I'm not sure if they are new shoots or flowers . Any ideas ?

Thursday 29th.January 2009

Well , I've finally got it back , and nakedness , hopefully , will be a thing of the past . My camera arrived back today , and as we had finished our work earlier than anticipated , I got the opportunity to get out and abouit this afternoon to make sure things were working properly .

My first stop was Keston Ponds , where the 'Friends of Keston' had just finished clearing up all the rubbish deposited in and around the ponds by anglers and other visitors . The Mallard type numbers have gone up to over 30 and an additional Canada Goose brings them up to 4 . I could only find 5 Mandarins , 1 female short from last visit . Three of them , 2 males and a single female ,were asleep on a branch , just above the water line .

Also still around is the male Ringed Teal . He is never still , paddling from one end of the pond to the other , with those stumpy short legs .

The other usual suspects were around in their usual numbers .

Near where I parked the car , I noticed that the catkins on the Hazel bush were well open , so I stopped to see if any of the female flowers were out yet . It took some searching , but eventually

I found the odd one or two flowers just bursting bud , and you can see the pollen released from the male catkins on the female flower and bark , blown by the wind . These pollinated female flowers , if allowed , will go on to produce the Hazel/Cob nuts .

The camera was working fine , so I decided on another try for the Stonechats on the Bridleway at Rouse Farm . In the field below what was the milking parlour , the 2 Mistle Thrushes were fossicking on the ground , in almost the same spot as last time . At the other end of the field , 3 Redwing were feeding on the ground , the first I have seen for a little while now . The noisy pair of Rose Ringed Parakeets were in their Oak at the dog-leg in the Bridleway . As I approached the old fence line where I first saw the Stonechats , I saw a movement in the hedge , but it turned out to be a pair of Wrens , who noisily scolded me for interupting them . I scanned the fence line and the hedges both sides , but no sign of the Stonechats , but I did get distant views of a Sparrowhawk being seen off firstly by a Magpie , then a pair of Carrion Crows , until it was off their patch .

In the field beyond the hedge , the 6 ewes now have 6 lambs , but are still segregated , for some reason from the rest of the flock .It isn't because they are the only ones with offspring , as in other fields , I estimated 12/15 lambs that I could see , and probably more that I couldn't . I noticed quite a few Carrion Crows in attendance in those fields , no doubt waiting to do the cleaning up . Most young were singletons , but I did see two sets of twins .

On the way home , I stopped off at the Common , but things were very quiet , but I'll be up there working tomorrow , so might find something then . By now the sun was dropping and so was the temperature , so I made my way home .

Monday 26th.January 2009

After yesterday's terrible weather , today was my only opportunity to get out and about , as I have four days volunteering coming up starting tomorrow .
The sun was shining , surely one of Steve's Bitterns would put in an appearance . As I drove down to New Hythe , the sun was enveloped in a blanket of cloud which seemed to be ever thickening . I arrived just after 10 o'clock , and made my way straight to the reed bed . The saturated ground necessitated wellies , not my favourite footware , especially on a cool morning . I got into position and waited , scanning the reed bed opposite . I was treated to a Kingfisher flypast and also a pair of Great Crested Grebe doing their 'walking on water , facing each other , with a bill full of weed, whilst waggling the head from side to side' bonding dance . I would have had no chance with the Kingfisher , but the two Grebes were only 20 metres away and would have made a great shot , if I had a camera . Before leaving , I chased them again , and they say I should have it back before the weekend . I gave it well over an hour , but with no movement at all , set off around the area . In the Alders on the end of Millstream Lake , a flock of about 10/12 Siskins were noisily feeding , then joined by another 15/20 whilst I was watching them . A little later , another small flock joined them , and when they eventually flew off , they must have numbered 40/50 .
Heading towards the railway , almost directly behind the Bittern's reed bed , a Cetti Warbler burst into full song , but did not show itself , and almost immediately , a Green Woodpecker flew across in front of me and settled in one of the larger trees in the scrub area . Nothing unusual on the way down to the river , which looked as if the tide had just turned and was rushing back towards the sea . Along the river path , many Bullfinches were heard , but only one female seen . Where the tributary joins the main river , a flock of about 15/20 Redshank took off calling and headed back down the tributary . Just before the wooden bridge , another Cetti Warbler started to sing , but stopped as quickly as it started . The Sunken Marsh was as quiet as a grave , and little was seen until a flock of about 20/25 Lapwing , wheeling behind the Paper Mill , looking as if they were going to settle at Holborough .
At the end of the millstream , at the entry to the car park , a Chiffchaff was quietly feeding amongst the dead water vegetation . Further down , a small flock of Goldfinches were seen feeding on Teasle and by the Treatment Works a flock of Long Tailed Tits were working their way along the waterside bushes .
I arrived back at the Bittern viewpoint full of hope , but even though I put in another hour and a half , no Bittern was seen . A Little Grebe showed up tight against the reeds and a pair of Great Spotted Woodpeckers flew over . Dissapointed , I made my way back to the car and headed for Lunsford Lane . Parking up , I made my way between Alders Lake and the small fishing lake without seeing anything exciting , unless you would put dozens and dozens of Coot in that bracket . On reaching Lunsford Lane again , I followed the Millstream , which was more like a mountain torrent . Halfway towards the bend , I found a flock of six Redpoll and had very good views .In the woods behind the millstream I found another three , but they could have been some of the previous six .
Back at the car I thought I was too close to not attempt to see the Waxwings at East Malling . I found the church and along the footpath met a chap on his way back . He said that they were not here but had been told that they were on the adjacent housing estate . As he knew where to go ,I I followed him and we found the site , but no Waxwings . We split up looking , but nothing . I went back to the car and back to the churchyard and after a little while , located 15 Waxwing in a tree , just inside the Research Station in brilliant sunshine . There were also good numbers of Fieldfare about , but the cloud rolled in again , and I made my way home . Thanks Adam for the info on the Waxwings , given the amount of food available to them in Apples at the Research Station and berries in the gardens , I can't see them needing to come my way at all , so it was good to get a good show today .