Dartford Warblers

Another day when the photographs are not as good as the day's birding, but who cares, we seem to be out of the birding doldrums at last. With the weather slightly inclement and with a stiff south westerly blowing, birding on the coast didn't look too appealing. There had been no reports of the Semipalmated Plover so, without further ado, we headed inland for the Sussex Commons.

First up on the menu was a flock of 100+ Fieldfares doing their best to devour the huge Rowan berry crop that we have this year. The birds were very flighty, grabbing a berry then leaving the tree, finally I managed to capture a shot from distance, Martin managed to get closer of course.

Next we were surprised to have fleeting glances of two Dartford Warblers, a bird that I have been looking for throughout the year. Not a photo opportunity to be passed up, so we hung around for some time, finally a single bird showed at exactly the same time as a male Stonechat. This seemed to be the pattern through the day, as Stonechats arrived the Dartfords would appear. Two male DW appeared to be disputing territory and I heard at least two birds singing. I am sure we sighted four birds and possibly another two at a different location within the site.  Most of the time they kept their distance and never really posed for us. However, I did manage a few record shots.

 

 

Of course the Stonechats were obliging as always and at the death a Meadow Pipit literally parachuted in for a quick pose and left immediately. All in all another great day out, only record shots but a most satisfying day - roll on tomorrow.

 

 

 

 

Oh - and a Buzzard 

 

 

Parrot and Two-Barred Crossbills

I have to admit that today's photographs are pretty poor but I make no apologies for including record shots of two life ticks. The day dawned very wet and windy and Martin and I were determined to go somewhere, particularly myself as I have been deprived of birding for nearly a week.

We could have gone to twitch the Semipalmated Plover at Hayling Island or searched for the Great Grey Shrike at Ambersham. In the end we decided that a visit to Hemsted Forest in Kent was the order of the day, several Parrot Crossbills and a single Two-Barred Crossbill had been showing well lately. Thus we set off in heavy rain but with a promise that it would be dry by late morning and a possible hint of sunshine by late afternoon. 

On arriving at the car park the news was half good as the Parrots were to be found easily. Well that was assuming that you had half decent eyesight. I am not sure what was wrong but I found it difficult to pick up the birds in the poor light. However after half an hour it became much easier to find them but they were very difficult to photograph. We counted a total of six but none really showed well.  I did notice that one of the males, on several occasions, flew back to a calling female and passed food to her, obviously a well bonded pair getting things sorted out early.



Bigger head, bigger bill and thicker neck - a Common Crossbill on steroids!!

 

After a brief break for lunch we relocated to the ride and set up opposite the oak tree, after what seemed an age a flock of about a dozen Common Crossbills alighted in the top branches. Rather than try to locate the bird I just pressed the shutter release repeatedly trying to capture all the birds before they departed. Sure enough as I moved the viewfinder on to the last bird I could see the white bars plainly, and then the birds were gone. Soon after the birds returned to a tall pine just in from the car park and a "flock" of birders managed to single out the Two-Barred with most people getting a distant sighting. Martin hadn't picked up the bird when it was showing its bars so we waited for the fairly mobile flock to return and finally success for him too. A great day out and perhaps a chance at the SP later in the week - if it hangs about.

 

Rose-coloured Starling

In warm sunshine I visited Selsey to find the juvenile Rose-coloured Starling. When I arrived Dorian was in the process of obtaining some reasonable shots of a bird that, for most of the time,  was happy to sit in the bushes with the rest of the Starlings. So, naturally I set up my camera in the same place, later when things quietened down I became aware that most birders had set up camp on the sea wall, probably 40-50 yards away from the bird, for the life of me I don't know why.

Later on I was joined by Martin, who yet again had been on a "Wild Ouzel chase". Obviously, on the way home, we visited Church Norton and the North Wall, both of which remain unseasonably quiet. Although a single male Bearded Tit at the back of Breech Pool was a welcome sight.

Thanks for the sighting report Sarah.

Happy to just sit in his/her bush

Spoonbill

Even though it was raining and there was a stiff south wester blowing, I felt the need to be out and about. First stop was West Wittering with a gentle walk to Snowhill Marsh to find the juvenile Spoonbill. I wasn't disappointed, although it remained at a fair distance and seemed content to snooze unless disturbed by the squabbling of the Little Egrets. On the marsh itself was a good number of Redshanks, interspersed with the occasional Black-tailed and Bar-tailed Godwit. On the way back to the car park the flash of a flyby Kingfisher brightened up the proceedings. I briefly put my head above the sea wall but beat a hasty retreat in the strong winds, not a lot flying in these conditions.

 

 

Not sure about the antics of the Little Egrets

Newly arrived Brents sheltering in the lee of East Head

 

On down to Church Norton which again was unremarkable. Ferry Pool was virtually empty, only two Yellow-legged Gulls at the rear of the pool worth a mention. However I was surprised to count 36 Stock Doves in the field beside the pool. I nearly called into Ivy Lake but my belly got the better of me and it was home for lunch.

...... and now for something completely different, a Shaggy Inkcap or Lawyer's Wig, Coprinus comatus taken with 700mm of lens, I didn't take a macro with me!!

Water Voles II

The weather picked up in the afternoon and I fooled myself into visiting the site of the old cement works in Shoreham. Someone had reported Long-tailed Blue on the Everlasting Sweet Peas that abound in this area. When I arrived I was appalled at the condition of the site, it appeared for all the world that a herd of buffalo had been through the area, everything was trampled down. The desire to see a rarity overwhelming good manners.

So with the sun up I decided to re-visit the Water Voles at Arundel, no apologies for posting more photographs of such a delightful animal. I think these are an improvement but the lighting in the vicinity is difficult, bright skies to the east and a fair tree canopy above. The late afternoon sunshine providing that hint of warmth if not a great depth of field.



 

Water Voles I

 

On a grey and damp day I couldn't muster enough enthusiasm to chase the Ring Ouzels again and following some excellent information from a fellow birder, I went in search of Water Voles. They are somewhat shy and full shots were hard to come by but I think they are in the right context when in the greenery, feeding away to their heart's content. Oddly, they remained oblivious of passers by and dog walkers but took exception to my camera shutter noise. Half a dozen apples helped entice one or two from their holes but next time I must have larger apples otherwise they grab the treat and disappear.

Watercress is good for you.

Not sure this is an aboreal tendency or Beaver in the genes

Whatever - he had eaten the best part of 2 feet of bark

Suckers for a bit of apple

Maybe  - but I don't trust you.