Well if you hadn't noticed, the weather since I last wrote a blog post has gone from November Murk to a June Sizzler and yet it is still only April. The only interesting bird that the murk brought into my life was in fact a fine Male Brambling which graced my bird feeders for an afternoon on the 13th. (Pictured Below) Today dawned an absolutely brilliant day with yet again no clouds in sight as I left the house. News broke that a Cuckoo had been heard in Owl field, however with Sunday buses I had to settle for an early trip to Frith Riding Stables. When I arrived I could hear the sound of singing Blackcaps, Chiffchaff and also a Lesser Whitethroat with the latter being quite unusual for this part of the valley. A quick scan of the field in front brought up no Lapwing which is an increasingly worrying sign as it looks as though it might be the first year we don't have at least one pair breeding in the valley. A couple of Pied Wagtails were feeding on the roof of the riding stables and as I got close to the stables I was immersed in a feeding frenzy of House Martins and Swallows which was quite magical to watch in the early morning light. Above: House Martin I then headed through into another field and carefully worked my way around the 2 rather anxious horses. Once I reached Burtonhole Lane I was confronted with a pair of Jay which flew along the road in front of me. A male Blackcap was singing in some brambles right next to the path and another bird was also flicking around just down and to the right of it. When this bird eventually showed itself I was quite surprised to find a Garden Warbler staring back at me. It then proceeded to head back into the undergrowth not to be seen or heard again. I then carried on along the path listening to the chorus of Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps. An interesting Chiffchaff singing was the best it got in the rest of this section, however I think I have settled on the fact that the Chiffchaff was incorporating contact calls into the end of its song? (See Video Below) A Drake Mandarin Duck swimming in a small puddle was quite a surprise, though I wonder whether he or I was more surprised by our meeting. I then moved on towards old gropper field, however due to time constraints I decided to do something that I had never done before. This was in fact to take the middle of the 3 paths. It is something that I am definitely going to do again as the scenery and view you get of the valley is quite different. A Lesser Whitethroat and yet more Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs were around and also my first Speckled Wood Butterflies of the year were out and about getting to know each other. Above: Speckled Wood I then headed up to Laurel Pond via another Lesser Whitethroat and a decent amount of Common Whitethroats too. Once at Laurel Pond there were at least 7 Drake Mallards asleep at one edge of the pond and that was it, so quite simply I moved on and up to the Orange Tree to meet the rest of the group for the first Totteridge Valley Birders walk of 2018. Once everyone had arrived all 24 of us set off into the valley. We entered Owl Field and scanned to see if we could see any sign of the Cuckoo that was here earlier, but we could only find Common Whitethroats, Blackcaps, and Chiffchaffs. A pair of Kestrel hovered over the far end of the field and eventually the Male decided to come and sit in the tree next to us so that we could all get some great views of it. Above: Dilshan's Photo of the Kestrel Below: Nicola's Scenic Photo of the Kestrel Just when as we were about to move on there was a shout from the back of the pack that the Cuckoo was calling from the far side of the fields. Sure enough once everyone was silenced the Cuck-oo Cuck-oo could be heard ringing out around the valley. It was then found perched at the top of a very distant tree before flying around the very top of the hill and then following the edge of the field round to Darlands Lake stopping every now and then to do a little bit more singing. This was my first Cuckoo of the year and also my first ever one in the valley despite them being recorded nearly annually. A few Buzzards started to appear in the sky thermalling to great heights and the day's first Sparrowhawk drifted over Darlands. Onto Darlands we went and the first bird that stood out were the Coot and of course our local female Garganey. The Teal don't seem to like this weather very much and so finding them was awfully tricky, however eventually some were picked up along the edges of the lake. A Treecreeper sang in the oaks at Darlands and the Rooks were still noisily going about their business in the canopy surrounding the Lake. Above: Female Garganey We then continued round the back of Darlands and only managed to find yet more Blackcaps and Chiffchaff. The Snakes Head Fritillaries weren't at their best any more, however only a week ago they looked like the equivalent of a carpet of Blue Bells. (Pictured Below) Moving swiftly on we headed to Lapwing field, however just like at Frith Riding stables there were no Lapwings present. A pair of pheasant were together at the back of the field and 2 Mistle Thrush were eventually picked up right under our noses feeding in the long grass, very well camouflaged. A Canada Goose was also feeding up at the top of one of the fields and the male Egyptian Goose stood watch over the female as she sat on her nest at the top of a near by tree, yep you read that right a goose that has nested at the top of a tree. This pair did however manage to raise 8 youngsters last year, not in this location, but I have faith that they will do well this year as well. There was a large gathering of corvids in the long grass of cow field and these included mainly Jackdaw and Crows, however a few Rooks were around. A few Buzzards soared over head and so did a Herring Gull and some balloons. Above: My photo of the Mistle Thrush Below: Dilshan's photo. Above: Dilshan's Photo of the Egyptian Goose on her rather odd nest. Below: Nicola's Photo of the Egyptian Goose on her tree nest. I am still having trouble as to figuring out why she has nest here, but only time will tell if it pays off. Just when we were about to head off Ian picked up 2 Swifts right up on the horizon, however when I picked one of them up I was immediately greeted by another new species for the year a pair of Hobby. A few Swallow could also be seen zipping around there so we decided that we would head up that way via a refreshment stop at the nurseries. Just before we headed to the nurseries Ian called out again as 2 Greylag Geese flew towards Long Pond however thankfully for most of us they kept going and we could pick up the silvery winged geese flying up towards the Medical research institute. Refreshments were had and so was a close up Robin singing away in the bushes behind us. A flock of 4 Lesser Black Backed Gulls flew over us and Ian and I both managed to pick up 2 House Martins as they whizzed through above the gulls. We then headed down to Burtonhole Farm where Swallows and Goldfinches were in quite an abundance. We then headed down towards Old Gropper field. Once we were in the field we had a Common Buzzard soaring up over us and gaining height as we went. A Chiffchaff sat motionless out in the open on a bush with no leaves and another warbler which I think might have been another Garden Warbler briefly joined it, before heading for cover. Above: Dilshan's photo of the Common Buzzard Below: Charlie's photo of a Bee Fly Above: Bee-fly. These rather odd insects are everywhere at the moment and definitely benefiting from the recent warm weather. We then crossed the Brook and headed up to Laurel Pond adding more Common Whitethroats, Blackcaps, Chiffchaff, and a Sparrowhawk to our list. Once up at the Pond we had our first Coal Tit, and Moorhen, as well as a Nuthatch calling from the surrounding trees. Next we headed up to the Orange Tree for the official end to the walk and also to be greeted with our 55th Species for the day as a Red Kite thermalled with a Common Buzzard above the car park. Above: Red Kite We all then parted ways, however I decided that I would head back out and accepted a lift to Finchley nurseries. Once at the Nurseries I headed down towards the Cricket pavilion and then into the old over grown football pitch. A few Stock Doves fed on the pitch other wise there wasn't much about. I then moved up to the next and final field of the day which held yet more Common Whitethroats, Blackcaps, and Chiffchaffs. A Yellow Wagtail called over head and I just about picked it up before it flew behind a row of trees. The 2nd Red Kite of the day appeared from over Belmont Farm and started to head in my direction. I then decided to head on and as I did, I spotted a Muntjac inside the Medical Research Institute grounds. I then headed up to the bus stop at the top of the road and sat there listening to Chiffchaffs singing as a Sparrowhawk and Red Kite used the last of the warm thermals to head up high. And so a great walk today with many familiar and unfamiliar faces, however it was great to meet everyone and to be able to share what was a very special day in the valley. My UK year list now stands at 144 species and my Totteridge Valley Year list is now up to 92 with only 7 more species needed to beat the record in a year! Is it possible that I could break it? We will have to wait and see! Above: Red Kite Below: Muntjac Below are links to Dilshan's and Charlie's Twitter accounts. Thank you both for the use of your photos in my blog, and also a big thank you to everyone who came on the walk, and also to Nicola for her photo's as well!
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Just before I head into what happened on my visit to Rainham Marshes today I am just going to quickly round up the last few weeks. This includes 24 Brent Geese flying down river at Rainham Marshes last Wednesday and also the Great White Egret showing well. Above: Brent Geese Below: Great White Egret Then on Thursday in the garden Stock Dove numbers have now risen to 6 and also briefly a Peregrine circled the house. Also 4 Blackcap were now making themselves known with 3 singing males and the winter Male all in the garden! Above: Stock Dove Below: Peregrine Above: M Blackcap amongst the Stock Dove Now onto my trips to Totteridge and with large numbers of Hawfinch still around and also the female Garganey the seasons haven't really changed. The first Swallow and House Martin of the year were gratefully appreciated, but with double figure counts of both Redwing and Fieldfare still it is looking like we are going to have to wait quite some time before the first summer Warblers! Above: Cormorant Below: Snakes Head Fritillary in flower at Darlands Lake. Above: Rooks a recent coloniser of the valley and perhaps the closest colony to central London? Below: Egyptian Geese And now onto today... As I arrived at Rainham Marshes I drove slowly down the entrance road, partially because I was early but also because I wanted to have a listen for Warblers. Sure enough I was rewarded with 3 Chiffchaff, a Blackcap, and a Cetti's Warbler. Just as Howard rolled up in his car and I was sorting myself out for the day a flock of Curlew appeared noisily overhead. You could just about make them out through the mist and murk and I managed to count 28 before they disappeared again! Shortly after this though a flock of 29 then appeared to land on the reserve. Were they the same flock or a different one? Well before I could answer that question I found myself staring at another flock of at least 32 up over the river wall before they disappeared off towards Crayford Marshes! This was amazing to witness as Curlews in this magnitude in London are very rare, and although occasionally late Autumn flocks at Rainham can reach this number, this was truly special. However there was another twist yet to come. 16 Common Terns fed out on the Thames and 2 Sand Martin and 2 Swallow came through over the River Wall. A fine Male Willow Warbler sang and fed in the bushes just in front of the visitor centre as well as a few Dunnock and Blackcap. Howard then phoned me and told me that a flock of 11 Bar-tailed Godwit were circling the reserve and sure enough I could just about pick them out in the conditions. Then a few Whimbrel started to trickle through in off the Thames. What a start to a rather chilly day this was turning out to be! Above: Common Tern Below: Bar-tailed Godwit I then met up with the Wednesday walkers and off we went in search of some gold! Honestly if there was anything passing along the river up high we probably would have missed it. Luckily for me the next wader flock dipped just below cloud level for me to ID them as 20 Grey plover along with 3 Dunlin. I tried to put the rest of the group onto them however I failed as they disappeared down river into the mist and vanished completely from sight. What happened next was also rather odd. Some of the Wednesday walkers had continued on in front. Although they didn't realise it they manage to flush a Wheatear and Sam and I watched as it flew out into the middle of the Thames and then made a bee-line up the middle of the river very low over the water. This is a behaviour that neither Sam nor I had ever seen, how odd. The Great White Egret did the correct thing and flew from a channel and perched nicely out in the open just in front of the MDZ and a large movement of Wigeon and Shoveler out onto the river was interesting. Aveley Bay was inundated with water as it was high tide and rather surprisingly the bay held over 10 Cormorants fishing as well as 3 Great Crested Grebes. Above: Great White Egret We then headed to the Serin mound. At the Serin mound there were a few Linnets, Goldfinches, Reed Buntings, Skylarks, and Meadow pipits as well as a rather showy Sedge Warbler and also a singing Reed Warbler over by the enclosed bay. Out on Wennington there wasn't much on offer bar the usual suspects, however 4 rather noisy Oystercatchers came as a bit of a surprise. Above: Reed Bunting Below: Sedge Warbler Above: Sedge Warbler Below: Goldfinch We then headed back and only the brave few ventured back onto the reserve, while others headed back to the visitor centre for a cuppa. At first it was quite quiet until we got round to where the toilet block is. Here a Male Stonechat briefly sat up in a bush and so did another Sedge Warbler. 2 Sand Martins also flew overhead giving everyone good close views. We then headed onto the Butt's hide and had a look out over the Winter Pools first. Here Tufted Ducks and Pochard fed as well as a Little Grebe. A Female Marsh Harrier with a rather disastrous looking wing was giving the lapwing and Redshank some grief. Above: female Marsh Harrier Below: Pochard Out from the other side of the hide on target pools there wasn't much to be had bar the masses of Wigeon and Shoveler. There was a total of 69 Shoveler, and 118 Wigeon all over the pools and a few other species dotted around. A Common Buzzard was up above the power lines and 2 Male Marsh Harriers had a bit of a territorial dispute. We then headed up to Aveley Pools. Along the way we had a Swallow and a few more Reed Buntings. We also had some really amazing views of a Cetti's Warbler, however my inept camera skills meant that I missed it out in the open by a fraction of a second. Once at the first viewing platform we could see large numbers of Tufted Duck, Pochard and a few Shoveler. A pair of Great Crested Grebe fed close by and one came up carrying a fish. (Pictured Below) We then headed up to see if the Barn Owl was about, however it was rather unusually nowhere to be seen. A bonus was however acquired in the fact that a Shrew was found, albeit freshly dead. (Pictured Below) As we headed on the only other birds of note were two Ruff which were feeding at the back of the pools from Dents drop. A Grey Heron also fed surprisingly close. (Pictured Below) After a lunch break I decided that I would head into the Purfleet hide. Along the way a Male Reed Bunting and some House Sparrows were seen feeding just outside the visitor centre. (Reed Bunting - Pictured Below) Once in the hide I set about scanning for my main target species which was Common Snipe and sure enough with my scope I managed to see at least 6 in amongst the Reeds. I then noticed next to one of them a Golden stripe in the reed bed. Upon closer inspection I found out that I was in fact looking at a sleepy Jack Snipe and a real bonus for the year list. (Jack Snipe Circled Below) I then decided to head back to the visitor centre and as I exited the hide I looked up at the sound of 2 adult Med Gulls circling and calling above me! I have to admit I do like Med Gulls as they have this pristine white wing which contrasts perfectly with their Black head and red bill. Stunning! (One of the Two Pictured Below) Moving swiftly on I headed back to the visitor centre. I decided to scan the river, however whilst I did this I could hear Howard saying something in the background. It only occurred to me what he was saying when it was a wee bit too late. Thank fully I got a second bite at the cherry when I was called outside by Howard to watch as a stunning Male Ring Ouzel flew past the end of the ramp and into the Car Park, unfortunately landing out of sight. It began to draw quite a large crowd and eventually it gave another brief flight view where you could clearly see the white stripe on its chin. They are quite magnificent things. Whilst we were all out on the ramp a flock of 7 Black-tailed Godwits flew through and then a Short-eared Owl appeared and drew yet another large crowd as we all watched it hunting over the MDZ and Ouzel fields.
What a day this was with a mixture of summer and winter visitors. I wonder what is going to be found next? Some much needed year ticks were also grabbed today to take me to 134 species for the year! Perhaps my target is gettable now after all!? |
AuthorI have been a birder since i was 8 however only really started to be able to go out to places by myself in Summer 2016 (Blame the parents) My blogs will be from all over the place, but mainly from RSPB Rainham Marshes and Totteridge Valley! Photography done by Samuel Levy aged 17. ArchivesCategories |