1st Winter Little Gull

Just like last weekend  I went  to Dungeness on Sunday with Mick Southcott and Richard Smith. We started off at the patch in the morning, where we enjoyed good views of 2  Little Gulls.  The Adult stayed way out, but this little cracker came a bit nearer to us about 50 meters, so not close at all! A few Brent Geese went by and some Common Scoter but that was it really. So we went and had a good healthy breakfast down the cafe and then back out near the fishing boats for some Gull action and a  Artic Skua harassing the Sandwich Terns again.  

Dungeness

Here are the last set of images from Dungeness on Sunday. What I like about going to Dunge is not the fact that, I like the landscape or the chance to see rare or scarce birds and sometimes are able to take a lot of pictures. It's at this time of year, you can witness Viz -Mig as was the case with all the House Martin's, Swallow's and Sand Martin's all going South, it was like being in the departure lounge of a Avian Airport!  

 

Just a shame the light was crap!

Flight shots

Here are a few flight shots of Juvenile Herring Gulls at Dungeness on Sunday.  

 

Juv Arctic Skua

Spent the afternoon on the beach at Dungeness with Mick and Richard, where this Arctic Skua was having a go at the Sandwich Terns as they fed along the beach. The light was terrible  but it's always good to watch these birds in action!

Lesser Yellowlegs at Canvey Marsh

So it was back to West  Canvey Marsh this evening after work but not for the Red-backed Shrike  that looks like its moved on but to see the Lesser Yellowlegs which was found this morning by James L. I enjoyed good scope views and flight views but I did struggle to get a good shot with my Canon 400mm lens in the gloom and rain, but another great bird for this Essex reserve!

 

Double Shrike

The idea this morning was to have a full days birding in Kent with DB but the Great Snipe was still showing well as to the pager message and Bradders wanted to go for it!. So, after 2 Little Stint, 3 Curlew Sand, Ruff and a load of other waders at Oare Marshes. He went for a very long drive and successfully ticked the Snipe and I got a second go at the Juvenile Red-backed Shrike at Canvey. 

A real stunner!

Juvenile Red-backed Shrike

The superb Juvenile Red-backed Shrike put on a very impressive display at West Canvey Marsh late last night. Catching Beetles to Cranflies and coughing up pellets as it feed along the fence line. A evening I will not forget. Just stunning!!!!

Double Redstart for Breakfast

As Lee and Russ done the early morning shift at the valley  I followed later on over there mid morning to try and add another Redstart as the female type was still in the paddock from yesterday and the others had a 1st winter male too. At first it did seem that I was carring my camera as a fashion accessory due to the fact that I'd been there for two hours without taking a photo! Anyway, in the end the little buggers did show for me to get 5 shots. You could hear them calling 'huit' which gave up their whereabouts but always dived into cover as soon as I raised the camera. Cracking birds!

Another Redstart for the valley

Patch gold

Having enjoyed myself to much at the monthly birders drink last night I did have to drag my arse over the patch this morning. First up was my 3rd Redstart for the Ingrebourne Valley this year which was in the small paddock and bird of the day was this Greenshank, which literally flew through and called a few times so I was a bit jammy on that one. Greenshank is not a regular bird seen at the valley as they are bit like gold dust!.

In the net

I was kindly invited to go along and watch Paul ring some birds yesterday evening and take some shots of the Warblers which were being caught in the mist nets and at one point we thought we was going to get a Snipe too but that went over the net. I've tagged along a couple of times now and still get a buzz seeing any bird up close. Reed Warblers , Sedge, Common Whitethroat and a wren were all rung after work. Watching the birds being processed is amazing and I'm still learning about moulting, fat score,pin feathers which you can't do when in the field bird watching. I 've said on here before when that I help out ringing the Gulls with NTGG its really good fun  and very educational.

 

1st summer Sedge Warbler

1st Summer Reed Warbler

Adult Common Whitethroat

1st Summer Sedge Warbler