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,…
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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…
Boughton Park
December The month commenced with a zone of high pressure moving easterly. For the first six days, the temperatures were below zero early on and only rising to low single figures during the day. The sky was virtually cloudless, with little wind.on several days, until the 6th, when a dense fog enshrouded the whole area. Visibility was limited on the…
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…
Boughton Park
Only a ninety-minute visit was possible on the 27th, when it was less cold, overcast, with a light north-easterly. There were only eight Mallard on the reservoir but 55 on the lake and no sign of a Teal or a Wigeon. Of interest was a Dunnock in song by the reservoir. There was a hard frost on the 26th, which…
Bockhill
A morning of seawatching in the Bay produced 13 Red-throated Divers, 6 Eiders, 54 Common Scoters, 6 Velvet Scoters, 5 Shelducks, 7 Wigeon and a Great Skua all moving north. Whilst feeding offshore were 22 Auks and 110 Gannets. In the area were 5 Stonechats and a Raven. PJC,SW,NLJ,RNH,JRC.