Steve Ashton Wildlife Photography

Up close and personal with a Peregrine.

2012-02-26T22:23:00.004Z

After a fruitless search for the Slavonian Grebe this morning in Dover Docks, along with Tim Gutsell we moved off to look for something to photograph. We sat looking out to sea and whilst emptying our flasks we caught sight of a Peregrine flying from our left and towards us. What followed was an event that does not happen too often, the bird perched on a ledge right in front of us and stayed there for twenty minutes. We managed dozens of shots before it alighted, flew out to sea and then returned back to the same perch. We only had an hour but what an eventful hour, before returning home to watch Arsenal poke five past the old enemy, the day got better and better.

An hour spent in the woods at Blean.

2012-02-26T18:02:00.000Z

After I finished up yesterday from my Grove ferry visit, on the way home (well sort of on the way) I called into the woods at Blean where I was able to get a few photos of the woodland species that frequent the wood.

The reason for my return was for the Nuthatches, which have been a little reluctant to show for the camera this year. Last year, although I visited later in the spring, they were not camera shy at all, but I did get a few shots this session as they dropped on to a fallen tree to mop up the few peanuts left by the numerous Tits that were in attendance.

I said to myself after gaining numerous Coal Tit shots over the past 2 weeks that I would not take any more, but I could not resist one more as it posed on top of a stump.(Do you recognise the stump Bill ?)

I also saw 2 Firecrest's chasing each other around the bushes and heard a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker calling from deeper within the wood.

The ugliest Bittern in town.

2012-02-25T19:45:00.000Z

I spent nearly two hours this morning in a full up standing room only Marsh hide, watching a really ugly Bittern doing nothing. It was a very dark individual, wet and bedraggled, and not looking at its best. It was the third Bittern sighting of the morning, and it appeared from the reed bed on the left hand side of the hide, and sat out in the open, occasionally preening, but doing very little else. After about 90 minutes it flew across the wet meadow in front of us, over the path and settled down deep into the reed bed to our right and not seen again. We all managed shots of the bird, although in truth just a little too far out for comfort, and a warning, it's not the most photogenic of creatures.

Other sightings from the Marsh hide included 20 + Water Pipits, 3 Black-tailed Godwits, several Ruff, (high teens) lots of Common Snipe and at least 5 Marsh Harriers. I left the hide with Martyn Wilson and Alan Ashdown and called back into the Feast hide, seeing 3 Shelduck fly over us en route. There were several of the expected ducks in attendance on the Feast pool, a smart looking Gadwall and a Drake Tufty swimming close enough for a photo.

We ended the session on the viewing ramp, looking for raptors in the sunshine. Several Marsh Harriers were spotted, mostly very high up, and 4 Common Buzzards drifted over, also very high as they spiralled above us.

As like a few other people, I have been locked out of my Flickr site and cannot post any photos at the moment. Flickr are aware of this problem and are working on a solution, and hopefully normal service will return soon.

Out and about.

2012-02-20T22:01:00.001Z

Last Saturday, along with Alan Ashdown, we were able to creep up on a Glossy Ibis in a field by the Marsh hide at Grove ferry. Being windy and the dull conditions did not allow us to do justice to the occasion, but a couple of shots below.

There was not much else to photograph from the day, just a Coot photo that is a little different. I returned to the same spot on the Sunday, in glorious sunshine and waited for the Ibis to hopefully return to feed in the same field, but it had other ideas and I never had one sighting throughout my stay, returning home empty handed.

I had a free day today so called into Blean woods and managed a few shots of Coal Tits coming down to a baited fallen tree. Sorry about the seed and nuts.

I moved on to Oare marshes, pulling up as 3 Pintail were feeding on the east flood quite close to the road, which allowed me to get a few photos straight away.

Walking west along the sea wall to Dan's dock, the receding tide allowed the roosting waders on the east flood to return to feed on the freshly exposed mud, giving me a few more photo opportunities. I managed a few shots of Dunlin and Redshank as I walked by the salt marsh.

Arriving at Dan's dock, and a Water Rail was in the concrete basin on the other side of the track, which was a nice bonus. It put on a show for me as I hid behind the fence watching it going about its business.

Walking back to the car was uneventful, but stopping at the entrance gate to the east flood on the way out gave me the chance to get a few Black-tail Godwit shots as they flew between the floods to feed on the soft mud in the fields.

Catching up with the Kumlien's.

2012-02-15T19:32:00.005Z

It has been nearly two weeks since the Kumlien's Gull was first noted at Dover, and with many fine photos being posted on various web sites and blogs, I decided to go and have a look at the bird, before it moved off away from the area. Steve Reynaert walked by as I parked my car, making my task easier as he has been to see the bird before and showed me the way to the pier, as I have never been on the Admiralty pier before. We were able to get extremely close to a few Kittiwakes that were sitting on the wall of the pier.

It was not long before the Kumlien's Gull put in an appearance; in fact Norman Mc Canch and another birder were looking at it flying down towards the end of the pier. A chat with Norman and then Steve and I started to get a few photos of this smart looking Gull. We were joined later by Mike Gould, whom only had an hour to spare, and the three of us got quite a few shots of the bird.

The weather was pretty dull, and after an hour Steve and Mike left, leaving me the only person on the entire length of the pier. Thirty minutes later the sun poked out from the clouds, allowing a better light to take photos in, and most of the pictures posted here are in the better light. Steve Ray joined me and the Gull put on a show for us as it swooped down below us feeding on the surface of the sea.

Having noticed a Mediterranean Gull fly by earlier when I was on my own, Steve saw it or another one fly along the pier, low over the surface of the water, and I was able to grab a couple of shots as it passed. Not the best of photos but I seldom get the chance to photograph these White Wingers.

The Kumlien's Gull carried on below us, showing us how agile it was and would often take off and fly around before returning to the same spot on the sea below us, giving plenty of photo opportunities which were gratefully accepted. Although Kumlien's is not a true species, a mix between Iceland and Thayer's Gull, there is no denying it is a smart looking Gull and is well worth the time and effort to go and have a look.

With news of the Slavonian Grebe found on Sunday being still present in the Wellington dock, a few hundred metres back towards the town, Steve and I decided to go and look for the bird, and after a fruitless scan of the basin for 30 minutes, I eventually caught sight of it down towards De Bradleigh wharf as it surfaced from a dive. We then lost it but eventually re located the bird in the main basin, and although the Grebe remained fairly distant, we both managed a few shots of the bird. It was now late afternoon with the light failing, but it capped of the end to quite an enjoyable and eventful day.

Of note, spring will soon be here. Kasper, one of the five satellite tracked BTO Cuckoos has now travelled over 1000 kilometres North West, I would presume en route back to the United Kingdom to find a mate. It is fascinating following the 5 Cuckoos and can be found by clicking here.

Making hay while the sun shines. (Saturday 11th)

2012-02-12T20:54:00.000Z

The weather men got it right for a change, so I went out again on Saturday morning, to take advantage of the second of the two consecutive days sunshine we had been promised. Although the sun was up just after 8 o clock in the morning, the temperature was hovering around the freezing mark, so the first hour was spent in the car driving around the lanes between Grove and Stodmarsh, looking for any subjects to point the camera at. By the orchards at Grove, there was a Thrush digging around in the snow, and was then joined by a Fieldfare. I counted a paltry 36 Fieldfares, a stark contrast to last year when they were there in their hundreds. Not one Redwing was seen here today.

For a change I had a walk around Clowes wood in the hope of finding a Crossbill flock. (A large portion of hope) and after baiting a fallen tree with bird seed, I only had to wait for 15 minutes before Blue and Great Tits were visiting and carrying of the seed. Then a few Coal Tits arrived.

I was just about to leave when I caught sight of a Nuthatch. After what seemed an age, it, along with another bird finally dropped onto the log and started to dig for the peanuts that I had pushed into the crevices of the tree. I stayed for another 30 minutes before having to leave for home.

Due to the grotty weather this morning, I decided to stay in but a text from Martyn Wilson alerted me to the presence of an Adult Iceland Gull on a small piece of open water on Westbere Lake. I am not an avid fan of Sea gulls, but an Iceland Gull to me is a proper Gull, so dressing for the arctic conditions I made my way down to the lake which is only a mile from my front door. I found on one of the fishing swims at the back of the lake Martyn, and he was in the company of Sue Morton, Brendan Ryan and John ~~Canttel~~ ~~Canntel~~ ~~Cantillo~~ school teacher John. I was soon onto the Gull, it stuck out like a sore thumb from the other (boring) gulls. A Yellow-legged Gull was also expertly plucked from the hundreds of Gulls on the lake by Brendan, and talk turned to Gull i.d at which point I fell asleep. Also seen on the small ice free patch of water was a drake Golden eye and as we were leaving Martyn pointed out a fine looking drake Smew, a nice bird to see locally. The Iceland Gull seemed to disappear, and try as we did, could not re locate the bird, but I suppose it was still there, hidden in amongst the rest of the gulls. A Bittern flew out of the reeds and over towards the river, and that was about it, which given the poor weather was probably a blessing. It was well worth the hour or so and the effort as it is the first adult Iceland Gull I have seen, my only other a juvenile bird at Dungeness. Thanks to Martyn for the text. I also received a text from Mark Chidwick this morning, telling me of a Slavonian Grebe he was watching at Dover, but the Gull was nearer for me.

Reculver and Seasalter (Friday 10th)

2012-02-12T10:15:00.000Z

Taking advantage of Friday afternoon’s sunshine having finished work at lunch time, I visited Reculver and Seasalter in below zero temperatures, but with no wind, leaving the sea like a mill pool. High tide was mid afternoon, so any waders in theory would be along the tide line looking for food and within range of the camera. There were six Golden Plover feeding on the grass by the car park below the towers at Reculver so I spent a little time getting a few photos.

I then walked west along the tide line to Beltinge before retracing my footsteps back to the car park at Reculver.

Grey Plover.

Ringed Plover.

Arriving back at the car park and I found the Golden Plover were still around, so I got a few more photos.

I then drove along the coast to Seasalter, parking the car by the Sportsman pub and walking the tide line east to the sea wall and up to the white post. The tide had reached its highest point by now and the area was alive with Gulls and Waders.

Dunlin.

Knot.

Turnstone.

Black-headed Gull.

Of note, during the morning whilst in the lorry driving out from Upstreet to Chislet, a male Hen Harrier was seen chasing a small unidentified bird, looking splendid under the winter sunshine. (The harrier that is, not the small bird it was chasing)

Skating on thin ice.

2012-02-04T17:37:00.005Z

Firstly with a dusting of snow falling overnight, I returned to Westbere lakes where yesterday I was told of the presence of a drake Greater Scaup. I saw it yesterday, and managed a few poor record shots of the bird, but on arrival this morning I was informed by Brendan Ryan that it was a hybrid and not in fact a Scaup. (The record shot below clearly shows that it is a hybrid) On looking in the Collins birding Bible, it is quite easy to see that the bird is in fact a hybrid, and my guess would be a Tufted duck/Pochard cross. Pages 34 and 35 of the new Collins have quite a detailed section on these crosses, with Tufty/Pochard fitting the description well.

Along with Martyn Wilson, Alan Ashdown and Brendan we drove from Westbere to Stodmarsh to check the main lake in case the cold weather had pushed in anything exciting. Quite a few duck on the lake, in the small pockets of water that had not iced up, which included Mallard, Teal, Wigeon, Gadwall, Pintail, Tufted and Pochard. Just short of the Tower hide along the Lampern wall I saw something thrashing about in the water. On closer inspection it was a fox, which had wandered out onto the frozen lake, and unfortunately found a thin piece which gave way under its weight. We looked on helplessly as the Fox tried in vain to get back out, but after five minutes, looking exhausted and shivering, the animal lost its fight, went under the water and a few minutes later all that could be seen was the back of the animal breaking the water’s surface. However one feels about Foxes, (personally I love them) it was a shame to see the animal struggle for life, and fail so miserably.

After a spell in the Tower hide, Alan and I being joined by Tim Gutsell wandered down to the Marsh hide where a couple of Marsh Harriers, a Sparrow hawk and a Peregrine was added to our rather poor day list. Stopping by the Alder wood on the way back, I saw two Woodcocks, surely a result of the cold snap, and we were able to get a few photos of a Dunnock and next year’s Christmas card Robin, complete with a dusting of snow.

With nothing bar a fox in distress to trouble the camera this morning, on my way home I slowed by the fallen tree at Stodmarsh Court to see if the Little Owl was out, and sure enough, there it was sitting in the sun.

Glossy Groveferry.

2012-02-02T22:12:00.001Z

A few photos posted below showing one of the Glossy Ibises seen by the Marsh hide at Grove ferry this afternoon. (complete with an over sized hideous looking ring !!!) It was spooked by a passing Marsh Harrier which gave me an opportunity to grab a few flight shots. At one stage in the air all together were this Ibis, a Peregrine which had been preening out on the wet marsh and a Ring-tail Harrier, the Ibis being nearest so that is where the camera was pointed. Also I saw 5 Tundra Bean Geese on the main lake at Stodmarsh, which took flight as we walked down the Lampern wall, flying out over the river and then Easterly (ish) high above Upstreet, last seen heading towards Marshside.

A "Little" splash of colour in the sun

2012-02-01T21:53:00.002Z

My first outing for a while this afternoon, the weather dictating of late that a spell indoors being the sensible option, giving me a chance also to catch up on half finished jobs around the house.( I thought they were finished) The sun poked its head out from mid morning so I ventured down to the Alder wood on the Stodmarsh reserve. It took a little longer to get there as I tagged on to the back of the local hunt descending down the hill into the village of Stodmarsh. Before anyone asks, that is not me on the left hand horse.

I spotted a Little Owl perched in a fallen tree and was able to get some photos. Smashing little creatures are these Owls, full of character.

The Alder wood held all of the expected woodland birds, but no Redpolls. Several Siskin's Goldfinches and Goldcrest's seen, but I did not have too long so just a grab shot of a Siskin, and I will return when I have more time. (And when the sun is out) Also a Hen Harrier was seen over the reeds by the Reed bed hide.

Oare marshes on a Friday afternoon.

2012-01-28T17:28:00.003Z

I was able to get a few photos on Friday after calling into the woods at Blean on the way to an afternoon visit to Oare marshes.

After seeing at least a dozen Firecrest's over the past week, I could not find one today, and also I was unable to re locate the Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers seen earlier in the week, but did see Great and Green of the species.
I moved on to Oare marshes, arriving as the tide reached its peak. A nice surprise was a Little Stint, seen on the east flood in amongst the Dunlin, Golden Plover and Black-tailed Godwits. It was a fairly quiet afternoon, and along with Bill Gawler and Mike Gould we snapped away at anything that flew by in range of the cameras. (And some that were out of range as well)

A Short-eared Owl put in an appearance as the light was failing, so no useable photos were obtained and earlier we watched a Merlin zip low across the West flood, coming to rest in a bush behind the hide. A hunting Kestrel was seen on several occasions throughout the afternoon and a Common Buzzard over Sheppey and a female Marsh Harrier flying west along the Swale made up the afternoons raptor count.

The weekend and a mixed bag.

2012-01-23T15:02:00.005Z

I have visited some of the local sites over the past few days and have been lucky enough to grab a few photos along the way. I dropped into Hampton, the western end of Herne Bay on Thursday, where I caught the tide right and was able to get some Purple Sandpiper photos.

Leaving there, I moved on to see if the two Bewick Swans that have been on the small Reservoir at the edge of the Reculver marshes were still present, and was able to photograph them again before they embark on their impending journey North. Keeping low on the bank, the swans passed close by, unfazed by my presence.

On Saturday, I spent a few hours checking out the newly dug scrapes in front of the Harrison's hide. Although the landscape has changed quite a bit, there was still not a lot to see, but I suppose it will take a little time for the dust to settle. Saying that, I did manage a few photos from the hide, probably the first pictures from here for over two years. A Stonechat landed in a small bush to the right of the hide.

A walk along the river bank to the water meadows for the Glossy Ibises turned into a slog, the path slippery and ankle deep in mud. Once there with no sign of an Ibis, I phoned Alan Ashdown, whom I knew was walking the circuit in the company of Martyn Wilson, Sue Morton and Mark Chidwick, and he telling me that the Ibises were on fields near to Newdowns farm, the opposite side of the reserve, (I love it when a plan comes together) Nothing at all to view on the meadows so I went back to the Feast hide and spent 30 minutes chatting to Alan et al whom arrived back just after me.
I had to purchase my old tripod back from Gadget, (don't ask) so went down to Thanet to collect and pay for it. Gadget informed me of an “easy to photo” Red Throated Diver in the inner basin of Ramsgate harbour, so I called in on the way home. I saw it straight away, and was able to get some photos of it from the car window as it swam by next to the road.

As it got closer I had to get out of the car, the wall of the basin hindering my view. It swam right up to the wall below me, allowing me to get some ridiculously close shots of it. It’s the closest views of a Red Throated Diver that I have ever had.

Sunday morning bought the threat of some sun rays, so I went back to Blean, looking to see if I could get any better shots of the Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers seen last week. Mike Gould, Tim Gutsell and Steve Reynaert also had the same idea, and we all got some shots, but like last week the Peckers stayed high in the canopy making the distance between lens and Pecker too great to get anything but a record shot. It’s still good to see Lesser Spots and we were able to see or hear all three of our Woodpecker species on our visit.

I left the others with the Lesser Spots and walked back towards the entrance of the wood and caught sight of two Firecrest's chasing each other around a Holly bush. I waited patiently, and was able to get some photos as every now and then they would come to rest out in the open. Lots of photos taken with most of them catching the birds partially hidden by leaves and twigs, but a few were free of clutter.

Thanks to Gadget for the Diver info, all in all a pretty good weekend with the camera.

Another trip to the woods. (Tuesday)

2012-01-18T19:23:00.003Z

I got my work out of the way quickly on Tuesday (17th January), with an early start ensuring an early finish. With the sun shining, I made my way to Bossenden wood, part of the Blean wood complex situated on the outskirts of Boughton. A silver Sony lens poking out from a tree gave away the presence of Steve Ray, (the lens matching the Barnet) and after a while Mike Gould joined us and we walked deeper into the wood looking for Lesser Spotted Woodpecker. We found a pair, as usual high up in the canopy and always on the move, making the next 20 minutes of trying to get reasonable images rather tricky. They did show rather well at times, and I was able to get a few record shots, but the pixels are probably stretched to the limit.

A good woodland species list was had by the three of us, a lot of new birds for the year for me, seeing Lesser and Greater Spotted Woodpecker, Tree-creeper, Nuthatch, Fire(3) and Goldcrest, Long-tailed, Great, Blue and Coal Tit, but sadly no Marsh Tit.
We parted company around 1.30ish, with Steve going to Kingsgate to see if he could re locate the Twite, Mike going home to re locate his kettle and I called into Thornden wood on my way home. I managed to get a couple of photos of one of 4 Firecrest's seen in one Holly bush. The photos, although nothing out of the ordinary, are pleasing, as the light was dreadful by now and they were taken on aperture f4 with the 1st one at 800 iso and the second one at 1600 iso. It's good to know that the Canon equipment can return a reasonable image wide open and at such high iso's, as one day that Firecrest peering back at me from the dark gloom may be a Siberian Rubythroat.

Firecrest taken at f4 and set to 800 iso.

Firecrest taken at f4 and set to 1600 iso.

Stodmarsh and the Alder wood

2012-01-16T20:45:00.004Z

A couple of hours were spent at Stodmarsh this morning, with the intentions of visiting the Marsh hide, but I never got out of the Alder wood. There were several Tree-creepers chasing each other through the trees, and I was able to get a few shots as they scurried up the tree trunks. There were also at least a dozen Goldcrest high up in the canopy and several flocks of Long-tailed Tits passed through the Alders. A Bittern was seen distant, flying over the back of the main lake, and a male and female Marsh Harrier was seen. All the expected woodland birds were in attendance but no Siskin’s or Redpolls.

On the way home I spotted a Little Owl sitting on a fallen tree root by Stodmarsh Court. As I stopped the car it took off and landed in the next tree, partially hidden from view but just enough room to get a photo.

TheTree Sparrows of Dungeness

2012-01-15T15:31:00.003Z

Not much doing this weekend, having a few jobs in the house that I needed to get out of the way, but I did manage a trip back to Dungeness on Friday, where the flock of Tree Sparrows at the entrance to the RSPB reserve were so obliging, that I spent my entire 3 hours there, and taking many photos. I remember back to my early teens and along with Linnets, Tree Sparrows were one of the most common birds found, when out egging around the villages of Hersden and Upstreet. For the past ten years or so, apart from a pair at Stodmarsh and a solitary bird on the North Foreland golf course, the flock on the feeders at the RSPB reserve at Bempton cliffs in East Yorkshire are the only Tree Sparrows I have seen. How times change. A few photos of the Tree Sparrows at Dungeness are posted below.

Whilst I was clicking away at the Tree Sparrows, a deafening roar was heard overhead and a Lockheed C-130 Hercules was seen gaining height as it took off from the airport at Lydd. It is amazing how something so big can actually get off of the ground. (I thought it was a Nimrod but a comment has told me different. Sorry cannot name the source of the info as it was left as an anonymous comment)

On Saturday before I went to get the bits and pieces needed to complete the jobs in the house that I was undertaking, I spent an hour parked along the Harty ferry road at Sheppey, in hope of an early morning Short-eared Owl. No luck with any Owl of any sort, but a Rough-legged Buzzard was seen flying west, towards the reserve at Elmley and 3 Marsh Harriers were also noted. I also saw a Common Buzzard perched in a tree along the bank of the M.2 motorway en route to Sheppey. As on my last visit, an obliging Kestrel landed on the wires, and sat and watched as I slowly approached in the car, letting me get close, and ignored me as I leaned out of the car window to get a photo.

Out and About. Chatham, Sheppey and Dungeness.

2012-01-08T17:41:00.003Z

Along with Mike Gould, we both took advantage of a calm sunny day on Friday and caught up with the long staying female Long-tailed Duck at the No 2 Basin on St Mary's Island at Chatham. It was distant when we arrived but then got up and flew a couple of circuits of the basin before dropping down in front of where we had parked the car. Thank you very much.

We then moved onto Sheppey, where at long last I ventured further eastward on the island than I have ever been before. Shellness was as I expected, a little Bleak, but I can see the attraction and why Derek Faulkner loves the place so much. All the expected Waders were seen, we missed the Lapland Buntings, but in truth never really looked for them, and our target bird was spotted, a Short-eared Owl, quartering a field about a mile away. Moving onto the Harty Ferry Road and bingo, 3 Short-eared Owls seen immediately, with a watching birder telling us he had seen 5. We were able to get photos of an obliging Kestrel that landed on the wire above where we were parked, and as we photographed the bird, a Short-eared Owl flew along the road and had a tussle with the Kestrel. I managed a few shots of the Owl, but the Kestrel pushed it away from us which was a pity. We spent the rest of the afternoon watching the Owls, and also seeing a large flock of Corn Buntings, several Mute Swans, a covey of Grey Partridges and 3 Marsh Harriers.

On Saturday, the weather was okay, but not as good as Friday, with an increasingly stiff breeze. My intended return to Sheppey was aborted, and I ended up on the beach at Dungeness, looking for the Glaucous Gull. The Gull seems to of been at Dungeness forever, but I had never gained the enthusiasm to get any photos of it. (Scruffy looking with no tail always putting me of) It was seen in the Gull roost and then along the tide line, where it was feeding on the washed up Starfish, which there were plenty off. I manage a few pleasing shots of the bird. There were a lot of Kittiwakes feeding along the tide line, and I spent a little time trying to get photographs of the juvenile birds as they hung in the wind. I did look for the reported Caspian Gull, without any luck, Caspian Gulls being what they are; I saw none but thought I saw hundreds. I stopped at the reserve entrance on the way home, hoping to get some Tree Sparrow photos, but there was a crowd of birders around the feeders and no birds, not hard to work out why, time to call it a day.

Two Green Winged Teals in a week.

2012-01-04T19:09:00.003Z

I saw my second Green winged Teal in a week today; as one was found feeding and preening with the normal Teals on the Restharrow scrape at Sandwich. I only went as I had spent a couple of hours back at Dover on the Prince of Wales pier and it was sort of on the way home. Green Winged Teals, American cousins to our Teals, look very similar in appearance but can be told apart by the vertical White stripe across the breast, and lacking the horizontal White line above the flanks that our Teals show. A few very distant shots were taken, a couple posted below.

Dover was much the same as the other day but with no sun. Plenty of Guillemots and Razorbills on the surface within the harbour walls, and the Great Northern Diver swam past the end of the pier allowing a few shots, but the conditions were nowhere near as good as the other day.

What was noticeable was the amount of Shags that had entered the harbour. I counted 16 with 8 swimming together and there were probably more that I had missed, this being an unusual sight for me, in Kent.

2012, and were off.

2012-01-03T13:35:00.002Z

Sunny with a stiff breeze was the forecast for Kent today, the 2nd day of the New Year, so after looking at Chiddy's reports and photos from Dover over the past few days, this looked like a good bet to get my first photos of 2012. Overindulgence dictated a fairly late start, and arriving at the Prince of Wales pier at 10.30 am, I had missed most of the Gannet action, as they had flown out to sea a few hours earlier. In truth there was not a lot on offer, but most of the day was spent in chatter with other photographers, whom all seemed to have the same idea and converged upon Dover for the day. The first people I met were Mark Chidwick,(pier master General) whom was in the company of Tim Gutsell and Steve Reynaert and a couple of other chaps I did not know. Steve had to go and I left the others looking for a Yellow Legged Gull in amongst the Gull roost on the old hovercraft apron (zzzzzzzzzzzz) and carried on to the end of the pier, where Mike Gould was waiting to see if the Gannets would re appear in the harbour. Throughout the day this is where we grouped, chatting mostly, and occasionally snapping at the passing Kittiwakes as they patrolled along length of the pier.

Occasionally they would land below us on the sea looking for scraps from the local fishermen.

Bill Gawler arrived and joined us, wearing all of his Christmas presents at once, and a little later Mike Hook joined the gathering throng. Fellow Arsenal supporter Tony Morris was another addition as the pier end became a little congested. To continue the name dropping, we also met Sue Morton and Mark Tomlins in the afternoon.
As to the Gannets, a few were seen passing the mouth of the harbour, and one did come into the harbour, flying a circuit of the basin before returning back out to sea, allowing a few distant shots as it departed. (and yes, I do need Bempton) Also, a few distant Red Throated Divers were seen passing by the harbour mouth, but none ventured in, where we were waiting with cameras ready just in case.

There were several Auks that had taken refuge in the calmer waters of the harbour, and I was able to get a shot of a Razorbill as it surfaced in front of me.

At the end of the day, along with Tony and Bill, we were treated to superb views of the Great Northern Diver, as it appeared by the life boat station, and swam up the channel and in to the De Bradleigh wharf basin, where we watched it repeatedly diving and surfacing with large crabs. By this time the sun was sinking behind the backdrop of Shakespeare cliff, but we were able to get a few photos just before we lost the light.

So although not a lot of variety, the company throughout the day was excellent with an added bonus of a few photos as well. Also it is nice to get so close to the Great Northern Diver, which we were able to do, it was just a pity the bird never swam in earlier when there were more cameras to take advantage of the situation. Whilst writing this I am looking out the window and the weather is absolutely atrocious, what a difference a day can make.

So there goes 2011.

2011-12-30T22:15:00.000Z

2011 for me was a year which although not poor, was probably an average year in terms of capturing birds on the camera, mostly birds that I have already photographed before, but with a few new additions mixed in. Posted below is a brief account of the year and a few of my favourite photos from 2011.
I am starting with two photos from my local reserve at Grove ferry, taken during January. Both are typical birds found on the reserve, but both getting increasingly difficult to photograph. Also I like these as they were taken on mornings that I love, frosty, crisp and cold but with unbroken sunshine throughout the day. This is another event that seems more of a rare occurrence.

Northern Long-tail Tit was a new bird for me, but then it is a Long-tailed Tit, so perhaps not. (More like a Northern Long-tailed Tick). A nice bird all the same, and worth the trip to Dymchurch even though they proved a little tricky to get on the camera.

I returned to Dymchurch during February as the Northern Long-tailed Tits hung around, but I had no better luck in getting any good photos. I was pleased with my Fulmar shots from Kingsdown near Deal and I had the pleasure of an obliging Firecrest seen at Dungeness.

March arrived, heralding the start of spring even though the Migrants were a little reluctant to re appear. Being in the right place at the right time, I was lucky as two Serin flew into the shingle by the light house gardens at Dungeness and started to feed in the weedy grass. This was a new bird for me in the U.K, and I was so lucky to have them at my feet. I remember it being a good morning with the camera, seeing at least 12 Black Redstarts in the area. Also I spent some time in the woods trying to entice Nuthatches onto various logs to get their photos. After spending a fair bit of time watching these birds periodically over the past two years, they have become my favourite woodland bird.

April bought me my first Wood Warbler in Kent, it took a few visits but I eventually connected with the bird found in the Alder wood at Stodmarsh. I saw a Ring Ouzel at Grove, where a lot of the month was spent photographing the Hobbies as they arrived in good numbers.

Another first for me came along in May on the Sandwich Bay estate. A Woodchat Shrike was seen, albeit from a distance and only poor record shots were obtained. (Can't win them all) It's a bird I've been eager to catch up with so a job well done. I tried my hand at photographing Butterflies, something I have not done before. A scarce Butterfly and a first for me were seen not 3 miles from my front door in East Blean woods, a favoured haunt for the Heath Fritillary Butterfly.
I think the best bird for me during 2011 was neither photographed, nor did I get a long look at it. During a trip to Parc du Marquenterre on the Somme estuary in France, I was privileged to get a glimpse of a Black Woodpecker, a good bird to see in any birding circles. I remember being struck by the size of it, and wished it had hung around long enough for a photograph to be taken.

The highlights from June were Barn Owls, they were seen in good numbers around East Kent, and of course our annual "jolly" which this year was a week in West Wales with the Island of Skomer the draw. The Owls were photographed mostly after work, taking advantage of the long sunny evenings experienced throughout the month. The Puffins on Skomer could not be missed, as they were often scurrying around at our feet.

Our jolly was okay, we had a great time but we found Skomer did not really live up to our expectations, with our days being planned around boat times, and once on the island, the variety of species somewhat limited. Also the spring watch team had been broadcasting from Skomer a few weeks before our arrival, ensuring that by the time we had arrived, the world and his wife were queuing each morning for the 6 or 7 daily sailings onto the island. (That’s what you get when they are allowed to poke their lenses down the throats of two Short-eared Owls that nested there this spring) That said, we went for Puffin photos, and we got them, and plenty of them. It was an experience to have Puffins with their Bills full of Sand eels running between our feet and into their burrows, depositing their catch and off out to sea again for more.
I also got a life tick in the shape of a Chough, seen on the mainland and also on the island.
p.s We never did see a Short-eared Owl in the two days that we spent on the island so a lot of disillusioned punters on the boats returning to the mainland each day.

We came back from Skomer to hear of a pair of Night Herons seen on the main lake at Stodmarsh. I caught up with them, not my first Night Herons, but good birds for my local patch. My photos were not as I would have liked but sometimes the light and sun are against you so you have to make do with what you can get. The rest of July was very quiet.

August, and time for my yearly visits to Backsands on the Sandwich Bay estate, in search of the returning waders. I think this is probably one of the best places in Kent to get up close and personal to the visiting waders. Superb views of Wood Sandpipers were had, one of my favourite wading birds. I missed the Temminck's Stint but close up photo opportunities of the more common waders made up for that.

On the last day of August, I saw my first juvenile Bittern. A pair successfully bred on the Grove ferry reserve, not too far from the Marsh hide. Three juveniles made the reed bed in front of the hide their nursery, treating the visiting birders to a Bittern fest for a couple of weeks. A lot of time was spent in the hide watching these secretive birds go about their everyday business. This was one of the highlights of 2011 for me. Well done to the Natural England reserve staff for their efforts in helping to this success.
A very low point in August was Arsenals trip to Old Trafford, where they were totally ripped apart, and losing 8-2. (Still, on a brighter note, not many teams go to Old Trafford and score twice)

September was a good month, probably my best in 2011. The Bitterns were still performing at Grove and I was able to twitch a Pallid Harrier at Burpham in West Sussex, the first of this species I have ever seen. It was a long wait, but I was in good company and a good day was had by all. Earlier in the month a very showy Buff Breasted Sandpiper was seen and photographed at Rye harbour. We were worried as we had to shoot into the bright sun light, but the results were very pleasing.

If September was my chosen month of 2011, then October came a very close second. I went to Boyton Marshes near Ipswich to twitch what was arguably my rarest bird of the year, the Sandhill Crane. I do not normally twitch outside of Kent, but I was off work and bored, and a spur of the moment decision just before I went to bed on the 5th saw me arrive early on site the next morning. The Crane had flown down the east coast from Scotland, where a few long distance twitchers had seen it, before settling for a few days in Suffolk. I could see the bird as soon as I walked into the field it had been reported as favouring. (Hard to miss a Crane) A few photos were taken, the Crane not as close as I would really have liked, but pleasing results all the same.

Also in October, I got soaked after getting a few photos of a Grey Phalarope at Reculver, and a Glossy Ibis put in an appearance at the Marsh hide at Grove, taking over from the recently departed Bittern family.

November was the Eastern Black Redstart month. Found by Barry Hunt, a superb Black Redstart of Asian origin was seen at Margate on the beach by the Jet Ski cafe. A cracking bird, with some great photos taken by many, and another one of my memorable events of 2011 with the camera.

December has seen me chasing about after Short-eared Owls. I seem to be seeing a few, mainly at Oare marshes, but I am having trouble getting near to them. If I sit and wait for them they seem to fly the other way, if I follow them, then they always keep one step ahead. The closest I have come was at Oare a few weeks ago. Also at Oare I was able to get some Bearded Tit photos, I still do not know how, as the light was awful, but I was happy with what I got.

That about sums up 2011. This post has dragged on a bit and if you are still here, I would like to wish all followers and readers of this blog and to all my Flickr contacts a happy new year and no doubt our paths will cross soon as we start it all again in 2012.

Christmas Eve Beardies.

2011-12-27T08:45:00.002Z

A couple of hours on the reserve at Oare marsh Christmas eve morning, where as usual the Short-eared Owl/Owls gave Tim Gutsell and myself the run round with just a few distant shots obtained. Pleasing was a flock of a dozen Bearded Tits in the reeds by the sluice on the east flood. Heard by Tim as we neared the sluice from the sea hide direction, they were easily located, and proved to be quite obliging,(Grove ferry Beardies take note) with both of us managing some photos as they fed on the reed mace. Although the sun had disappeared behind the clouds, we were still looking into the light, and the wind was blowing the reed stems that the birds were perched on, making the exercise a little tricky. (Normal snapper’s whinge) They were very close to us and a few individuals sat up nicely to have their photos taken, with a few of the results posted below.

A couple of hours on the reserve at Grove ferry.

2011-12-23T16:15:00.001Z

Thursday 22nd December 2011
Seen from the Marsh Hide.

Flying over Harrison's Drove.

Seen from the David Feast Hide.

There was not a lot else on offer, but I did manage to see three Bitterns, One at the Marsh hide and two from the Feast hide.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

2011-12-20T19:02:00.002Z

Christmas time and an excuse to look through the frosty Waxwing photos taken from the ramp at Grove ferry 3 years ago on December 30th 2008. It was bright with a very hard frost that day, giving a wintery and Christmas feel to the proceedings.

Merry Christmas and a happy new year to all reading this blog. Thanks for visiting.

Owling at Oare

2011-12-18T15:31:00.003Z

With cold bright frosty mornings predicted for Saturday and Sunday, I intended to get out both days in my continuing quest for Short-eared Owl photos. I arrived at Oare marshes Saturday morning just after 9 o clock, with the intentions of a quick look and then on to Sheppey, a place I seldom visit, and then only in a work capacity, having never ventured further east than the village of Minster in my entire life time. I had reports of 3 Short-eared Owls out hunting on my arrival at Oare, and as that was my intended quarry, I remained for the entire session. (I will eventually get to the Harty ferry road and Shellness, perhaps over the Christmas period). Throughout the day I did manage a few Owl photos as they hunted over the floods.

On one occasion the Owl caught a small Vole like mammal, seen here as it flew away from me, its prey tightly grasped in its talons.

Bird of the day had to be a Male Hen Harrier that I picked up by the sluice gate in the south eastern corner of the east flood, it's presence given away by the disturbance to the birds on the flood below its flight path, and I watched it glide low over the water, across the road and out over the western side, swerving and missing by a mile a lucky Redshank before losing site of it up by Dan's dock. I did get some photos, very distant, and due to the large cropping, probably does not do justice to the occasion I had just witnessed.

Raptors were seen in good numbers, 5 Common Buzzards over Sheppey, one quite a pale individual but a Common I am sure, 3 Marsh Harriers and a Kestrel was sitting on the roof of the west hide. I arrive too late to witness the departure of the Great White Egret, which I am told was close to the road before crossing over onto the west flood and then flying off over the Swale in the direction of Sheppey. I still think the bird had been sick and maybe it had recovered over the week it had spent at Oare. The only other photos taken were of a few Ruff on the island close to the pull in, and a Reed Bunting in a tree, seen by the car park when I arrived.

I spent a couple of hours back at Oare this morning, (Sunday) but to say it was a little disappointing photo wise would of been an understatement. I took a photo of the rising sun over the eastern flood, telling me that I had arrived far too early.

Unfortunately the sun did not last that long, giving way to cloud and then eventually a light drizzle. Not having long this morning, I walked a circuit of the eastern flood in the company of Andy Hills and Tim Gutsell, after waiting by the east hide for an hour in hope of a Short-eared Owl turning up. We saw probably two Kingfishers, one on a fence overlooking a small frozen stream, and several Greenfinches were in the surrounding bushes. A distant Ring-tailed Harrier was hunting over the western flood behind the hide, and over Mocketts hill as we walked the sea wall to Dan's dock we saw another, or the same Ring-tail, 3 Common Buzzards and a pair of Marsh Harriers. We met Murray Wright whom told us that he had been watching a Barn Owl on the Sheppey side of the Swale, but we could not find that. Whilst having a cup of tea at Dan's dock, I noticed a Merlin, a smart looking female, sitting in a bush. We could see a pair of walkers coming down the track, and as they neared the bush the Merlin alighted and flew low west across the marsh, making the trek all the more worthwhile. (Always a nice sight to see, are Merlin’s). Also the walkers flushed 5 Green Woodpeckers from the path that they were walking along, and checking each Linnet flock we saw, turned up none of the Twites seen by Phil Parker last week. Short-eared Owls were noticeable by their absence this morning, a pity and enforces the saying "there are no two days alike" The only other photo taken today was of a pair of distant Pintail flying over the flood.

Finishing off from the weekend.

2011-12-12T22:28:00.004Z

With my work being cancelled, by phone at 07.30 this morning, I headed off for Grove ferry, where I spent a very unproductive few hours in the Feast hide, and on to the Marsh hide, where I met Tim Gutsell and Mike Gould. The only photo I managed from the reserve was one of several Fieldfares seen by the middle drove on the way down to the marsh hide.

On arrival at the hide, we saw the returning Glossy Ibis, having gone missing from the reserve for a couple of weeks, and spent its time commuting between the water meadows and the marshy ground out in front of the hide, but not coming close enough to photograph. Other noteworthy bits included a pair of Bitterns, a dozen Water Pipits and two Marsh Harriers. A Peregrine was seen on the grass about 100 metres out, having a wash and brush up. We waited with cameras ready, but when it flew of it gave the hide a very wide berth. Leaving the reserve, I went back to Oare marshes, hoping to get some Short-eared Owl photos. I saw Bill Gawler, who informed me the Great White Egret was still glued to the same spot in the creek, and I was able to see a distant Rough legged Buzzard over on the Sheppey side of the Swale. I took a photo of a Golden Plover as a flock landed on the Western flood whilst waiting for the Owl to put in an appearance.

Eventually the Owl arrived and started hunting down by the sea wall on the eastern flood. I managed a few photos, a bit distant but better than my efforts from the weekend.

Oare marshes (revisited)

2011-12-10T15:31:00.001Z

The short-eared Owl seen the previous day at Oare determined my plan for Saturday, and with a forecast promising sunshine all day, (which they got right) I arrived back on the reserve at Oare marsh just after 8 o clock. The sun was just showing over the horizon as I walked past the east flood hide and onto the path from the sluice gate to find the Great White Egret in the same place as I left it the previous afternoon. I watched carefully and was able to confirm that it was not one of those plastic decoy Heron like things seen on the side of ornamental fish ponds, something I wondered as the bird did not seem to like moving about much. I ended up staying most of the day in the area, waiting to see if the bird would have a walk about of maybe a fly around the flood. Eventually it started to move along the shore line of the creek, being moved on by the incoming tide which was lapping around its feet.

I caught sight of my target just after 10.30 am, a smart looking Short-eared Owl which seemed to appear from nowhere and was out hunting over one of the islands on the east flood. Through my binoculars I also saw Andy Hills, looking out over the western flood from the main road, obviously looking for the Owl. It seemed strange seeing the Owl flying up and down behind him through my bins but unable to alert him. I think I even shouted "it's behind you" but I was 1/2 a mile away from him. He eventually looked round and I could see him snapping away, but I decided to stay put, hoping the bird would stray my way where I would have the sun behind me. It never did come my way, not once during the day, but I was able to see it hunting out over the east flood on at least 7 occasions. Whilst chatting to Murray Wright and another birder, we watched a male Hen Harrier sweep in over the flood from the sea wall, looking smart in the sunlight. As it crossed the flood, it tangled with the Short-eared Owl, giving one of those sightings that make standing on a pathway all day worthwhile. The Owl went to ground and the Harrier flew across the creek and eastward along the shoreline. I was joined by Tim Gutsell, whom had been photographing Divers in the harbour at Dover, and he was able to add his third life tick of the day with the Great White Egret. Later the familiar shape of Phil Parker was seen making his way along the pathway towards us, and the three of us watched the Egret for about another hour before walking back to the entrance gate to lay in wait for the Short-eared Owl. Rather strangely there was a flock of about 20 Ruff that kept flying from the flood onto fields behind where we were standing and then back to the flood again, allowing us to get a few shots of them in the air.

By this time, early afternoon, the tide had turned, and now birds on the flood started to leave, seeking the freshly exposed mud left by the dropping water levels out on the Swale. About 60 Avocets were seen flying out of the flood.

Phil decided to leave us and went along the sea wall looking for Twites.(No twit/twite jokes here Phil) He said he would call us if he found any, and after 20 minutes the phone rang, Phil telling us he had 9 Twite in amongst a Linnet flock.
Getting tired of waiting for the not so showy Owl, I decided to have another look at the Egret, especially as the sun was lower now and directly behind the place it has been for the last two days. When I arrived back at the creek, the tide had dropped quite a lot and the Egret started to move about a little. It made for a nice photo as it walked up onto the wooden ribs of a sunken wreck, even flapping its wings for the camera.

My phone went, and it was Tim, telling me the Owl was back hunting out over the flood. I saw it by the sluice, and watched as it hunted along the strip behind the east hide. As I joined the others it dropped down into the grass, before flying up, over the road and for the last 30 minutes of light, we watched it quartering the west flood, just out of range from our lenses.
For the last part of the day we were joined by Andy Hills, whom had to return home as his battery had run out on his camera and he had left his spare one behind, (a lesson to us all there) Jeremy Broome-Smith, the chap who bought my 500mm lens from me, (seeing him walk down the path with the lens slung over his shoulder reminded me of why I sold it) and a little later Mike Hook.
Two sessions have been spent at Oare, today being there for the whole day, and although failing miserably on the Owl photos, the Great White Egret made up for that. Below is my one shot of the Owl that I did manage, it's easy to see why they disappear from view and appear again so suddenly.

It was an enjoyable day with lots of chat and banter, and a few subjects on the reserve to aim our cameras at.