Sunday 1 January 2017

The Big Day Arrives

With the annual big day all planned for the 1st January and the anticipated new start to the year, I was out of the house at 5am where I spent a while driving around the lanes at Reculver to see if any Owls were to be found. It wasn't long and at 5.19am I saw a Barn Owl in flight at Brook, a good start. I then drove over to Shuart where the plan was to meet up with Julian and Alex Perry for a whole days birding in the area. we spent 9 hours birding the whole area, covering quite a few miles on foot and seeing a very creditable 82 species, not bad considering it was dull, gloomy and rain from time to time. Birds of note seen included 3 Red legged Partridge, 2 Woodcock, c30 Redwing, 3 Mistle Thrush, 3 Pied Wagtail, c40 Skylark, 3 Tufted Duck, 2 Wigeon, 8 Gadwall, c20 Mute Swan, 3 Common Buzzard, c250 Brent Geese, c10 Redshank, 7 Curlew, 2 Great crested Grebe, 10 Sanderling, 1 Black Redstart and 3 Kestrel. There were 10 Ringed Plover, 1 Kingfisher, 10 Turnstone, c40 Grey Plover, 1 Little Grebe, 2 Marsh Harrier, c40 Oystercatcher, c30 Linnet, 16 Red throated Diver, c15 Reed Bunting, 5 Gannet, 2 Teal, 2 Rock Pipit, 4 Shoveler, c50 Corn Bunting, 1 Little Egret, c5 Yellowhammer and c5 Tree Sparrow. Also noted today were 1 Fieldfare, 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Stonechat, 2 Bearded Tit, 4 Lapwing, c40 Golden Plover, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Jay, 1 Pochard, 3 Goldcrest, 8 Long tailed Tit, 2 Ring necked Parakeet, 1 Great spotted Woodpecker and 2 Chiffchaff ended a long but thoroughly enjoyable day. The camera didn't make any sort of appearance today due to the weather so here is a female Reed Bunting I photographed last week in better weather. 


Reed Bunting (female)

18 comments:

  1. An impressive list for New Years day, and the Reed Bunting in the image from last week is ringed.

    HAPPY NEW YEAR Marc.

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    1. Happy New Year Pete. I expect it has been ringed by Chris Hindle, who regularly rings in the area. Not a bad list to start the year off with. Hopefully it will be dry and sunny on my next outing.

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  2. What a stunner to start 2017 with,Happy New Year Marc.
    John and Sue.

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    1. Always a special session to do I think. Just typical that the weather was pretty rubbish. Best wishes to you too for a good year.

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  3. The weather certainly was a factor today. It didn't stop raining here at all and it was really heavy at times!!

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    1. Typical British weather. Back to work tomorrow where the weather looks to be good all week.... typical.

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  4. Happy New Year Marc. What a great start to the year list!

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    1. Likewise Jason, a Happy New Year to you. Best wishes for a successful 2017.

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    1. Many thanks. A Happy New Year to you too.

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    1. Likewise Bob. Hope it's a wildlife enriched year.

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  7. Great list of birds. And that Owl is amazing in your header. Love the Read bunting! And ofcourse a Happy New Year to you Marc.
    Regards,
    Roos

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    1. Many thanks Roos and a Happy New Year to you too.

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  8. Are you birding Nethergong this year Marc ?

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    1. My main area will be Reculver as this offers not only more birds but more photo opportunities. I will call into Nethergong to have a look though occasionally but will spend more time there when the dragonflies emerge.

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    2. Fair enough Marc, cant wait to get some dragon action again :-)

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  9. That was a brilliant start to 2017, Marc. Well done! Wishing you all the best for the rest of 2017 - - Richard

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