Given the topical nature of Eastern Stonechats we think it instructive to re-post pictures of the two Bockhill birds. The first bird 30/10/2008 – 2/11/2008 seems an obvious maura. Since the details of the Portland bird 24/10/2012 were published it became apparent that our second bird 24/10/2009 – 25/10/2009 showed features of stejnegeri. As it seems likely that BBRC will…
Author: Michael
Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve
19-12-16 Tawny owl x 2 (calling). 18-12-16 including Webs count Mute swan x 1, greylag goose x 20, Canada goose x 24, Egyptian goose x 4, little grebe x 8, great-crested grebe x 19, little egret x 12 (at roost), grey heron x 4, Cormorant x 39 x, moorhen x 18, coot x 135, teal x 87, pochard x 22, shoveler x…
Swalecliffe
November 2016 A total of 158 species for the year 159 species by the same time last year The total of 90 species for the month was predictably low given that Andy and Geoff were out of the country for much of the time (the average over the last ten years was 102.1 species). However, thanks go to Ted Lee…
Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve
17-12-16 Cormorant x 65 (left roost between 7:40 and 8:05 a.m.), little egret x 14 (at roost), water rail x 1 (calling from Volcano island) common snipe x 6, redwing x 2, siskin x 2, bullfinch 4. 14-12-16 Little egret x 4 (West Lake), woodpigeon x 14, rose-ringed parakeet x 4, green woodpecker x 1, great spotted woodpecker x 2,…
Oare Marshes
0800-1030 Initially a still and icy dawn and an impressive sunrise. Cetti`s was a low key greeting; a Water Rail squealed and Fieldfares and Redwings lifted off from low level roosts. There appeared to have been a serious influx of Blackbirds with groups of 5-6 common around the perimeter of the E flood—-by the time I had walked the circuit and visited the W hide up to 60 was…
Oare Marshes
0800-1030 A southerly breeze and near full cloud and occasional bright sun. The tide dropping as I walked west. Coots and Tufted Ducks on the W dyke with Wigeon leaving Mocketts in big numbers—2000 plus and perhaps just too late for the sky-fulls of last week. Nice to hear Skylarks acknowledging the sun`s warmth and Stock Doves active around the sheep enclosures. The Great Northern Diver was typically spending long periods immersed…
Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve
Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve December 2016 highlights: 4-12-16 Cormorant x 50, sparrowhawk x 2, little grebe x 6, little egret x 15 at roost, common snipe x 3. 3-12-16 Little egret x 15 at roost, grey wagtail x 2, reed bunting x 1, pochard x 25, siskin x 5, little grebe x 6, common snipe x 6, goldcrest x 8, goldfinch…
Boughton Park
December 2nd It was overcast, still and dry on the 2nd, when little change was noted. There was a total absence of waterfowl on the lake, but Fieldfares were still in reasonable numbers in the reservoir orchard but very few Redwings and Finches were seen. A pair of Collared Doves were present at Gary’s barn, one of this year’s breeding areas.
Oare Marshes and beyond
0800 –1430 Initially 3 deg, later warming and thawing the frozen E flood. A murky day with poorish viz. c 3000 Wigeon came off Mocketts and filled the sky eastward. A couple of Snipe and 4 Little Egrets probed the W flood margins. A 60 strong mixed finch flock of Greenfinches, Goldfinches and Linnets circuited the copse and fed in the saltings. 20+ Fieldfares and 4 Redwings were in the…
Boughton Park
In similar but colder conditions at -5°C the 30th was rewarded with a total of 34 species, including both House Sparrow and Pied Wagtail by Spindlewood, the latter not seen since Oct 9th and the former since May 5th. A peak count of Mallard included 26 on the reservoir and 63 on the lake, which was partially frozen and the…