An unexpected local Hoopoe

 Just before the Christmas break, a Hoopoe was reported by local residents, feeding around the various grass verges and gardens along Joy Lane in Seasalter, Whitstable. Not an ideal scenario being close to houses and wielding large camera lenses about, but I thought I would go and have a look to see the possibilities. To be quite honest it was quite easy really as it was possible once locating the bird, to park a little further down from where it was feeding and wait until it passed, and I was able to get most of my images from the comfort of my car and all within a time period of around 20 minutes. It was a little dull and overcast on my first visit (16/12/24) and after a brief walk around the estate and locating the bird, I returned to my car, drove to where it was and waited.

The morning of the 20th was a lot brighter so I returned to see if I could firstly relocate the bird, which i did, a little further west towards Seasalter and then try for a few more images. Using the same tactics, I came away after 10 minutes, job done. A most obliging bird and only a quick drive from home.

A brief walk along the sea wall by the Sportsman Pub revealed several Grey Plovers seeking high tide roosting spots, making good targets for the camera.

A Return for the Short-eared Owls

 I ventured back down to the Sandwich Bay estate again, firstly on Monday 25th November where although I was blessed with a bright but breezy afternoon, my first glimpse of a Short-eared Owl was not until 3.20 pm which leaves a very narrow window before the sun drops down below the horizon, making it a little difficult to get any decent images of the birds as they quarter the Royal Cinque Ports golf course in search of prey. All I managed on the Monday was a couple of shots of a bird resting in the rough grass.

Not to be deterred, I returned the next day (Tuesday 26th November) and this time I was a lot luckier. My first sighting was at 01.35 pm and the bird stayed up for at least an hour, hunting the fields and golf course around Dickson's corner. Taking advantage of some bales of hay placed on the perimeter of the golf course and using them as cover, I was able to get the Owl in full hunt mode as it continuously flew up and down the fence line in search of prey and completely oblivious to my presence.

There were plenty of Stonechat's to be seen and a Dartford Warbler was also seen (glimpses) but was too shy for the camera.

Winter Grey Geese.

 Always nice to get Winter Grey Geese at Stodmarsh and even better when they are close enough to get images. I made a quick stop before work to the Reed bed hide at the Stodmarsh end of the reserve, my first visit for a month and was greeted by 9 Pink-footed Geese in amongst a 100 plus flock of Greylags. The 9 kept together on the main and luckily they swam in fairly close to the hide.

My First SEO's of the Autumn

 A trip to Sandwich Bay for the newly arriving Short-eared Owls (22/11/24) proved difficult with the early failing light and stiff North Westerly winds. The light was rapidly diminishing when the first of two Owls appeared, quartering the field by Dickson's corner but never ventured close enough to my vantage point. I was a little luckier as I was walking back to my car as one of the Owls landed on the lip of a sand bunker on the Royal Cinque Ports golf course and sat still for long enough for me to get a few images.

Whilst waiting for the Owls to get up, I managed to catch a Curlew as it foraged for food in a field on the side of the Ancient Highway.

A Gate.....Great Spot

In the far too many years I have been trying to capture wildlife with a camera, close images of a Great Spotted Woodpecker for one reason or another, have largely been an uncommon occurrence. With the invaluable help from my mate Andy, this has now been put right. 

A nice way to beat the gloomy, dull and dismal weather patterns of late. Thanks Andy for your help.

Bearded Tits 18/10/2024.

    Another forecast for a windless morning on the 18th October and this time the weather man got it right. I once again met up with Tim and Andy at Grove Ferry and we had not reached the Feast hide before the familiar pinging of Bearded Tits were heard out in the reed beds. During the morning we came across several groups in various places between the viewing ramp and the Marsh hide. There were quite a few juvenile birds noted which is good news. There were at least a dozen Cattle Egret's as well as a solitary Great Egret seen from the Marsh hide.

My first image taken on the day was at 6 in the morning, the full (Super) Moon which was shining brightly over Sturry.

(Click on photos to see full size)

The Marsh Hide (13/10/24)

 A sortie to Grove Ferry meeting Tim and Andy with the intention of getting some Bearded Tit images was dashed as the gentle breeze that was forecasted was in fact quite a gusty blow thus ensuring the Beardies were staying hunkered down low in the reed beds and out of sight. We did hear a few so knew that they were out there sheltering from the wind. The Feast hide at the Grove end was full, as is the norm of late so we carried on to the Marsh hide where we were entertained by about 8 Cattle Egrets that were feeding in close proximity to the hide, moving further out as they followed the grazing cattle. We also saw three Bullfinches along the entrance track but they were not at all interested in posing for photos.