WOW - Waxwings, Owls and Warbler

Today was a planned trip into Kent, Strood for a banker Waxwing, another go for the Stejnegers Stonechat at Dungeness and possibly the Red-necked Grebe at Camber, sundry geese had been reported both at Pett Level and Scotney so we were in for a long day. Rail strikes and local traffic conditions meant an early start so we left at 0630. Unfortunately a 13 car pile up on the M23 meant a considerable delay but as we arrived in Strood the Waxwings showed immediately. Very flighty birds - flying in to a group of golden rowan trees, grabbing several berries and then retreating to a higher perch in a nearby ash tree to digest the food. Waxwings tend to be inconsiderate in that they always seem to be in awkward places for photography, normally a local school. This venue was no different, main road, sheltered accommodation and a gathering crowd of keen photographers - conditions that make me feel uncomfortable - so it was grab a record shot and get away ASAP.

 

Just need to get them down into Sussex with some sunny weather!


On to Dungeness where we wanted to record the Long-eared Owl that we had dipped the previous week. Great news - not one LEO adjacent to the dipping pond, but two and in a reasonable location for a record.

On the way out we located the Ring-necked Duck but as it was no closer than on our last visit we decided to spend the time on the Stejnegers - same result the bird had gone AWOL - it must have known we were coming. Shades of the infamous Little Bunting episode - seven trips without a result.

A short stop at Scotney gave views of the usual feral Barnacle Geese with the Emperor Goose crosses mixed in. Another stop at Pett Level and a diligent search of the geese out in the field resulted in Martin finding the five Taiga Bean Geese, a long way off and the scope on maximum magnification to resolve the ID.

We completed the day on Pevensey Levels looking for a Short-eared Owl, unfortunately a no show and with both the light and the temperature dropping we called it a day and headed for home.



The previous day had been a foray around the local patch, with the rail strike and local road works the traffic was horrendous and any long distance was out of the question. First up was Petworth Park, invariably there are Goosanders on the lower lake and always the chance of an Egyptian Goose. When we arrived a lone Goosander was on the lake but as always he kept his distance. There are always better chances for Goosander shots, particularly at Eyeworth or even the Widewater at Shoreham. So I left Martin trying, with consummate fieldcraft, to get closer to the bird whilst I stalked the Fallow Deer. I say stalked, these deer are used to a host of dog walkers and joggers, as you approach they just drift away to a comfortable distance.

I heard the familiar sound of antler on antler and found two bucks half heartedly engaged in "combat", every now and then they would break off, have a graze then have another go, the rutting season has long passed but I guess they like to keep their hands in.

I returned to the lake and found that three more birds had flown in, rather than settling things down it made the birds much more wary and finally they departed, probably for the upper lake.

Next a trip the Sussex commons where we obtained our yearly fix of Dartford Warbler, unfortunately never close and never stationary but a record shot nevertheless.

 

 

 

 

Goosander

The vagaries of birding were well demonstrated today. Two reports on SOS, one of a Goosander on the lower pond at Petworth Park, the other, that the fields above the North Wall Pagham were awash with waders. The final score was Petworth 1 Pagham 0. The Goosander was present but difficult to photograph and Pagham was DOB - Devoid of Birds.

Photographing a distant bird with white plumage on a dark pool in morning sunlight was a bit of a challenge which resulted either in blown plumage or underexposed bird. However, those that I could rescue are here.

When I approached the lower pond I was greeted by a rather odd sight and sound, 8 Egyptian Geese up a tree, calling for all they were worth. As I walked under the tree they relocated to the pond resentful of my intrusion.

Definitely a "whacky" bird

There were two anglers present but they reported nothing caught, not surprising considering a tree full of Cormorants nearby.

Now I know I'm not a real photographer and a million miles away from being an artist but I can appreciate what old Lancelot "Capability" Brown was up to in engineering the landscape. The trees and the views of the lansdscape of Petworth defy proper capture on camera pixels. You just have to stand there and observe its splendour as the light changes throughout the day.

On finishing at Petworth I decided to forego the hunt for a Black Brant at West Wittering, seduced by the North Wall being awash to the gunnels (gunwales to landlubbers) with birds. Bit of a mistake, all too apparent on arrival, the creek was nearly empty and Breech Pool contained a handful of Teal and Mallard. Out in the North Fields stood a lonely Grey Heron and a single Curlew occupied one of the flooded parts of the field. Where did they all go?

An empty Breech Pool

Not a lot in the creek

There are still berries available in the hedgerows but the only taker today was a single Blackbird.

I noticed these plants growing between the sluices, not sure what they are but they only seem to occur in the one location, very odd indeed.

 

Subsequent to some research I believe these are Tree Mallow, Lavatera arborea which is becoming something of a pest in coastal habitats, spread by its floating seed heads.

 

 

Fallow Deer - Petworth Park

Following yesterday's blog I had an e-mail from a kind reader suggesting a visit to Petworth might be worthwhile. So with the weather forecast as clement later in the morning I duly went in search of rutting Fallow Deer. Sure enough Petworth is alive with deer but they are much less approachable than the reds in Bushy. However, patience is always rewarded and several nice bucks came close. The rut is not in full swing yet, or I may have missed it, some loud "belching" around the park and some bucks driving the does but no clashing. In fact some of the senior bucks seemed totally uninterested, perhaps some colder weather may liven things up a touch, so a revisit is planned

Rut -  what rut??