OVER THE BORDER TO SCOTNEY

30 December 2020 For a change AP and I visited the other side of Rye Bay to do a circular walk around the Scotney Gravel Pits, between Camber and Lydd, partly in East Sussex and the rest in Kent. It was a bright calm day with the low sun at our backs and we walked up the cycle track ( Raven overhead ) at the side of the main road ( which gives good views of the Main Pit but beware cyclists with no bells!, it should be made law for every bike to have a bell ) . There are two islands on the Main Pit, the one without trees had standing room only with Greylag Geese ( about 250-300 around in total and one Canada Goose? ). The Duck numbers were more than we had ever seen before with probably 1200+ Wigeon and loads of Shoveler, Tufted Ducks, and Mallard but we could not find the female Scaup that had been seen the day before. The strange flock of feral Barnacle Geese was in the usual place including some white headed hybrids. They are supposed to winter here and spend the summer around Leeds Castle in Kent, all very bizarre. Another Pit held 250+ Pochard and another 60+ Shelduck, odd that different Pits have their own duck specialities. Turning back through Scotney Farm we entered the flat lands of Romney Marsh itself as one of two Marsh Harriers flew past. Two Buzzards were on the top of a distant Hawthorn ( no gate posts around here ). We were next looking at one of the Starling feeding flocks and realised that there were Corn Buntings and Goldfinches amongst them, the CBs being a Romney Marsh speciality. Thirty or so CBs flew off when the Starlings departed but ten stayed on the fence line. A Merlin later whizzed through low and not long after a Sparrowhawk flushed a further 100+ Corn Buntings from further away across the fields. A diversion over to more bushes and seed strips gave us more mixed finch flocks but none of the hoped for Tree Sparrows. Only two Skylarks and two Meadow pipits were seen, but easy to miss them out on the fields. On our return past the Working Pit a Green Sandpiper was flushed, two Brent Geese and a Curlew were with a Lapwing flock, and back at the sea wall a small flock of Turnstones was on the Groynes. Thousands of Lapwings were around and up in the air all day as well as a few distant Golden Plover flocks. A good walk ( 57 species ) but with a few hoped for birds missing. Footnote there is another flock of feral Barnacle Geese in East Sussex at Barcombe Mills near Lewis which over winter and disappear in the summer, yesterday’s count from SOS sightings was 61 including a Blue Snow Goose / Barnacle type hybrid.

ON THE LEVEL AFTER STORM BELLA

28 December 2020 Yesterday morning as the Storm Bella Weather Front slipped down the Channel I paid a quick windy visit to Pett Level Pools. Apart from the flooded pastures the most obvious difference was that instead of the usual 50 odd Golden Plover with the thousand or so Lapwings this time there were 1000+ GPs, probably the birds that normally roost at the RHNR. A cheeky Rook was seen pinching food put out for the weird selection of Ducks, Coots and Geese that hang around at the gate entrance to the largest Pool (for scraps left by regular car-based human feeders, but more about that another time ). However conditions although bright were too blustery so I retired home. Today by contrast a calm morning persuaded me to carry out my usual circular walk starting along the RMC via the Pannel Valley and back across the Level to the Sea Wall. Along the muddy RMC towpath Reed Buntings are always seen in the same spot in winter and a Grey Heron posed for a photo. At the Pannel Valley I bumped into JT who put me on to three camouflaged Snipe on one of the Scrape islands. Otherwise the expected birds were present so I continued back across the Level. The Level has many Gateposts always worth looking at and near the Winchelsea Beach end two Buzzards were on station. The usual Mute Swans were in the main dyke. From this position I could see the Goose flocks, well spread out, mostly Grey Lags with some Canadas but also 20+ Greater White-front Geese. Golden Plover numbers were back down to 150+ but the Cormorant Pool was very busy with Wigeon in the water rather than on the bank, maybe related to a Fox which strolled past at one point without causing too much concern. So not much new to report on the Level and I did not see the Tundra Bean Goose today but it may still be around. There is quite a spectacle still worth seeing when the huge flocks of Lapwings decide to go fly about dragging up other birds if they think a predator is about and a careful telescope scrutiny of the Goose flocks may well be productive ( but I am not a scope man ).

SOME CASTLE WATER DUCKS

24 December 2020 A keen NNW wind at Castle Water RHNR today where the ducks were mostly hugging the edges of the reed beds, out of the wind. These photos are just to show the smart breeding plumages‘ of ducks at this time of year. Seasons Greetings to all.

ODDS + SODS AT PETT POOLS + RHNR

22 December 2020 Profiting from a break in the weather, I took a quick trip down to Pett Pools followed by a visit to the RHNR. On the shore at Pett Pools was a flyby GreatbbGull ( built like a barn door ) as well as a four generation Herring Gull fly past ( you do not see that everyday ). A fortunate Oystercatcher had also winkled out a Razor Clam from the sands which was soon dispatched. Over the sea wall on the Level all the Geese were very distant but the Ruffs were on the edge of the Cormorant Pool. I finally managed a couple of photos of the white headed Ruff, probably the same bird that has been around for the last three winters either on the Level or over on the RHNR. Hundreds of Lapwings were flitting about in flocks . Fairly quiet otherwise so off to the RHNR where I bumped into JT. We had both seen a pale bird roosting with the Redshank on the Salt Marsh, probably a Spotted Redshank. Soon after we spotted a second bird over on the far side of Flat Beach, a definite Spotted Redshank this time – they over winter on the reserve in very low numbers – see record shots. There were four Brent Geese close to the new Discovery Centre and the Spoonbill was also on the Salt Marsh for a change and preening. When I was at Flat Beach last Thursday with AP there were no Golden Plover but there was a very large flock today coming in to roost, very impressive.

MR. BEAN IS STILL AT THE POOLS

20 December 2020 I took a quick tramp down to Pett Pools and back this morning trying to avoid the showers. Someone in Pett Level does not seem to realise that Xmas is as good as cancelled this year. Three French Hens, Two Turtle Doves, and a…etc…..Gales and high tides have dumped sea weed high on the newly constructed shingle protection of the sea wall, it has resisted so far. Unusually there was a small roost of Common Gulls on the moorlog and one flew very close to have its photo taken. Normally I am taking photos of Curlews down on the shore but here is one of a very alert bird just north of the sea wall close to a Lapwing flock with the usual Ruffs present. On the main Pett Pool some of the drake Shoveler are now in full breeding plumage. I met Cliff Dean ( CD ) on the sea wall and he pointed out two roosting drake Pintail, scarce birds on these pools. An adult Mediterranean Gull drifted past and a LesserbbGull was bathing. In the distance a Great White Egret could be seen. At the back of the Roadside Pool was a large flock of Greylag Geese and close by the Tundra Bean Goose again and singles of Brent and Greater White-fronted Geese. I could not locate the Greater White-front flock of about a hundred that was around last weekend but it may still be about. Hot news of the day is that JT has found another or the same Shore Lark at the RHNR today, near the Red Roofed Hut.

BACK DOWN IN THE SEVENTIES RHNR

17 December 2020 OK, it started wet and was too breezy all day and AP and I missed eagle eyes JT to aid us, so the total for our regular Reserve walk was 76. Interestingly this was down 14 species on last week’s total of 84, but up 6 species, if you are following the maths. 76 Plus 14 = 90 so the bird species and a few more are there nearly all the time but not always seen. Excuses out of the way, it was nice to see the Spoonbill reappear on the Harbour Barn Pools west. It is assumed that this is the same bird that was at Pett Level for weeks in October and early November and had relocated to the Reserve, but that occasionally goes AWOL. It now seems to have a new bessie friend, a very showy Little Egret, in near full nuptial regalia, I hope they will be happy together, the hybrid offspring should be interesting to see, ha,ha. The east Pool drake Goldeneye has now been joined by two females. At the south end of Castle Water the loaded hawthorn bushes are still attracting a large flock of 200-250 flighty Fieldfares and a few Redwings. The Castle Water ducks are all present and correct ( photo of a pair of Gadwall, just because I like them, preening is serious business ). At the north end of Castle Water the pale morph Buzzard was lolling in a tree near to the gulls roosting on the fields. No LesserbbGull today visible but lots of Canada Geese and a few Greylags back on the fields, which are now partly flooded again. Pied Wagtails were very much in evidence in all the fields and a flock of 12 Meadow Pipits was with one group. Returning down to Flat Beach and looking into the low sun we could see impressive numbers of high tide roosting waders. No big flocks of Golden Plover today ( out on the Romney Marshes no doubt ) but more Dunlin ( 400+ ) than I have ever seen here before, hunkered down on the small islands as seen. With the aid of my camera we could also confirm varying numbers of Ringed Plover, Bar Tailed Godwit, Sanderling, Knot, Turnstone, and Grey Plovers as well as the other usual waders to add to the day list. Lack of concentration meant we missed House Sparrow even after walking to Flat Beach via Rye Harbour.

IT’S THAT GOOSE AGAIN

12 December 2020 Another circuit of the Pett Level Marshes today in a brisk NW breeze. Starting in Pett Level there were Blackbirds, Song Thrushes and Redwings all over the place. Nice to get a photo of a Song Thrush that was not diving into a bush. One of the regular canal Coots was cruising and a fine bright Magpie was in the blackthorn. Behind Toot Rock was a small gull roost of Common and Black Headed Gulls. However it was while I was scanning through a much bigger gull roost visible from the RMC towpath that I noticed a single dark headed goose just behind them. It is probably the same Tundra Bean Goose that I found on the 01 December and which has been seen by others a few times since, but this time it was much closer. The white fringing on the back and wings is very diagnostic. Soon after a Red Kite drifted along the tree line disappearing as I raised the camera. Further along the RMC two fly fishermen were again trying their luck for Pike. While crossing the Level towards the Sea Wall the Greater White-Fronted Goose flock could be seen but again distant. My photos show 20 but from the Sea Wall a birder with a telescope counted 100+. On the sea was a large flock of ducks but they were there to fool the unwary, not Common Scoter but Wigeon, that had left the Cormorant Pool after disturbance by the farmer and his three dogs. Flocks of Lapwings totalling 1000+ were wheeling about but 20+ Ruff that are usually with them were present looking alert on the edge of the Cormorant Pool and on the far bank of the Roadside Pool, the difference in size between the Ruffs and Reeves being obvious. There was also a Dunlin with them with the straightest bill I have ever seen. The usual Gannets, Auks, Red-Throated Divers, and Great Crested Grebes were out at sea or passing in small numbers and on the sea was a real flock of about 30 Common Scoters. For a more descriptive complementary version of the same walk carried out by Cliff Dean and chums at about the same time ( our paths crossed on one occasion ) see his blog at https://rxbirdwalks.wordpress.com/

BACK IN THE EIGHTIES RHNR

09 December 2020 Another of our regular jaunts around the Reserve ( myself, Alan Parker AP and James Tomlinson JT ) took place in reasonable weather for a change and in light winds. The total for the day again got into the eighties, the final count being 83, now up to 84 after we decided that a pale bird roosting on the Salt Marsh with Redshanks that we had not put on the list was a Ruff and not a Spotted Redshank. A full list by JT is on the RHNR facebook website. The usual species including a few of the Salt Marsh House Sparrows were seen on the track between the Salt Pool and Flat Beach but with the addition of the newly discovered smart Slavonian Grebe ( which had first been found at dawn on the 06 December by AP ). For general information for those interested my bird in flight photos are taken in optical mode at 20 to 25 times magnification but for record and distance shots I use up to 70 times magnification as a mixture of optical and digital modes. Most are usually cropped to some extent. The Slavonian Grebe seems well settled at the western end of the Salt Pool and was kind enough to join the Coots at one point enabling reasonable close photos. By contrast the Harbour Barn Pool drake Goldeneye was distant this time on the western pool, close to two Stock Doves ( which visit the Reserve in winter in small parties presumably to eat and drink ). The rest of the walk via the Long Pit and the Wood towards Castle Water was notable for the birds of prey on view including 3 Buzzards, a Kestrel and two Sparrowhawks as well as the novelty of a singing Mistle Thrush close by to 100+ Fieldfares in the tops of the trees in the Wood. There were 60+ Great Crested Grebes and 250+ Pochard ( mostly males – why is that? ) on the Long Pit. A female Kestrel at the south end of Castle Water was very confiding and was probably used to seeing the carp fishermen who are normally around. The islands at Castle Water are now submerged so only ducks in large numbers were present except for one preening Black Tailed Godwit. A Peregrine was perched on its usual spot and the mixed Gull roost was visible below Rye Town where a single LesserbbGull could be seen. Only one Marsh Harrier was observed but up to five Great White Egrets were distantly flapping about. A few small and old cattle cowpats were found containing weird reddish fungi which begs the question do the spores get there before or after the cattle have eaten the grass? The answer seems to be as follows……….

Fungal ecology – dung fungi

The spores of many dung fungi are on the dung at the time it is dropped by an animal, for the animal will have swallowed many fungal spores in the course of feeding. Once released from their dung-inhabiting fruiting bodies, the spores of many dung fungi end up falling onto grass and leaves. Many species of dung fungi have spores with thick walls, which weaken during passage through an animal’s gut and so ready the spores for germination, once they have been deposited with the animal’s droppings.

Our 84th bird of the day on the LIST was also the first seen and it was a very very distant probable Ruff next to a roosting Redshank flock on the RHNR Salt Marsh at 8.30am in very gloomy light. We could not turn it into a Spotted Redshank however hard we tried, no sign of an eyestripe but white around the base of the bill as in a Ruff. Too far away it even defeated my 70 times zoom!

BACK ON THE BEACH

06 December 2020 A quick trip down to the beach this morning at low tide but I did not stay long, too many dog walkers. However I do like taking photos of Fulmars and Curlews so I will bore you with some more and that is what you have here, nothing else. The Curlew is only here as a stock tide line photo because oddly if you look very carefully in the first photo there is a droplet of water hanging on the end of its bill and in the second the droplet has just started descending, I managed to catch it which amuses me but probably nobody else.

MORE ABOUT GEESE

04 December 2020 A window of calm this morning after the atrocious weather yesterday so off to the Pools again to look at the Geese. It was surprisingly quiet with the usual species out at sea ( 40+ C Scoters, 100+ GcGrebes as well as 2 drake Eiders and 20+ Gannets west earlier ) and because of the extensive flooding of the Level the Geese were again well spread out. This then is just a photo blog of today’s Geese near and far. In the bright sunlight an adult female Marsh Harrier moved at height over the Marsh but apart from that little of note. An annoying Gull was found sat down all alone in one of the pastures, photos at the end, I have still not decided what it is but probably not a Caspian Gull. At least I have some decent photos of some of the Greater White-fronted Geese present though no sign of the Tundra Bean Goose from the other day.

Note, having consulted other birders the Gull in question even though showing a very white head is probably just a 1st winter Herring but it may be a bit more complicated than that. Caspian Gulls have spread from the Black and Caspian Seas last century up the Volga, Ukraine and now into Poland. The latest Sussex Bird Report 2019 has a footnote on Caspian Gulls. It states that Caspians seen here in winter are most likely from Poland where the best studied colony has individuals intermediate between Herring and Caspian by hybridisation or back-crossing, so a hybrid might explain this example or maybe it was just the bright sunlight.