Weekend of winter Birds in the sun

With the weather set fair for the weekend decided to have a family day out on Saturday, so my two daughters and the wife thought a trip to the seaside would be nice, and I got to choose the destination! So we headed of to Eastbourne for some sea air, Fish ‘n’ Chips and a scarce bird. 

We walked around the Marina in the springlike sunshine looking at the boats and I was on the look out for a Black Guillemot which had taken up residence in the harbour for the winter, a scarce bird for SE England. After a pleasant walk round there was no sign of the bird so decided to get some food, it was that nice a day that we sat outside to eat and whilst we sat there the Black Guillemot popped up right in front of us affording some fantastic views.

Black Guillemot 

Sunday saw me at Blean Woods for 07:30, again in glorious weather, my main target here was Lesser-spotted Woodpecker. After walking around for an hour or so I heard one calling but none were heard drumming though several Great-spotted Woodpeckers were drumming, perhaps a little to early in the season. Other birds of note included several Treecreepers, Nuthatch, Siskins and Lesser Redpolls.

Hampton Pier was my next port of call and on a rising tide and after a 45min wait the two Purple
Sandpipers eventually showed up on the rocks. Funniest moment of the day was a couple walking their dog on the beach, who not realising the tide was on its way in and finding themselves cut off from the beach, so they had to wade through the water in trainers and jeans back to safety.

Purple Sandpiper 

I then moved onto Conyer, on the Swale Black-tailed Godwits, Dunlin, Knot and Brent Geese were all seen. As I walked along I kept checking the sea wall for Shore Larks that had been seen recently, at first with no luck but then I noticed some movement and just ahead was  a group of 10 Shore Larks almost invisible in the long vegetation unless they moved, I managed a couple of quick shots before they took flight and landed further down the wall. I spent half hour watching these birds as they moved about, a real joy to watch

Shore Lark 

                                     

                                      
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My final stop of the day was Elmley NR, I didn’t have long so I just planned to drive along the entrance track and then back again and see what turned up. Lots Lapwings, Curlew and the usual wildfowl and severa Marsh Harriers flew close to the track. A row of 6 cars all parked up with togs in told me I was in the right place for the Short-eared Owl but after waiting a while and time against me I headed home