Monday 24 December 2012

A Drive Around East Kent

I decided this morning to take a drive over to Oare Marshes to see If I could connect with the 2 Whooper Swans that seemed to have taken up residence there in the past few weeks. They are only seen early morning when they fly east from the East flood. I arrived in the dark and parked up and had a few cups of coffee and as the light picked up I could see Swan shapes in the distance. When it was eventually getting light I got the scope out and started scanning through them. Thankfully I soon saw the 2 Whooper Swans bobbing their heads up and down and after getting quite vocal they took off at 7.29am and flew east. I then scanned the east flood which had a good few birds on it which included 41 Mute Swan, 25 Pintail, 16 Greylag Geese, 11 Snipe, 1 Peregrine flew over causing a bit of panic, 2 Little Egret, 20 Wigeon, 13 Shelduck and 25 Shoveler. There were 85 Tufted Duck, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Green Sandpiper, 2 Ruff and a quick look out to sea produced c100 Brent Geese, 5 Great crested Grebe, 4 Turnstone and 1 Water Pipit was flying around over the marsh calling. I then decided on a trip over to Bossenden Woods where a number of photographers have been taking shots of Nuthatch, Coal and Marsh Tits. The light was terrible but if anything I would at least be able to familiarise myself with the area and birds. Maybe today was not a good day despite putting some treats on the magic log not a bird landed nearby, just a few Blue, Great and Long tailed Tits heard. Another mission for another day. On my way home I made a detour past Tesco at Whitstable where I counted 16 Waxwings sitting distantly in the trees above the car park. I hope in the next week to maybe get out for a session or two if possible but its family all the way for the next few days. I wish all readers a very Merry Christmas and a bird filled New Year.

Waxwing

8 comments:

  1. Wonderful card.. Mery Christmas!!!.. :-)

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  2. Happy Christmas to you and yours Marc. I think the best gift we could all receive would be some sun :-)

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  3. Merry Christmas to you Marc!!! Beautiful Waxwing!!

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  4. Lots of fun, merry christmas Marc.

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  5. Happy Christmas to you too Marc. Keep up the fantastic images

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  6. Hello Marc!
    What a magnificent header!
    I am also in awe of your Waxbill I'd love one day to take a picture of!
    Many thanks for dropping a comment on the Dragonfly blog, really much appreciated!
    Enjoy Xmas and a happy New Year with all you can wish for!
    Cheers!

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  7. All the best Marc - thanks for one of the best blogs of 2012!
    Steve

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  8. Have a Great New Year
    greetings from spain joanca

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