** 45 Minute Walk At Northward Hill, via Main Car Park.**

Pam and I had a busy day today, and not a lot of time to spare, but on the way home we stopped off at Northward Hill, not the heronry part, down at the main car park area. I wanted to have a look around because I was hoping to see one of my favourite butterflies, the Marbled White. This is the closest site to me for them, and they have never let me down.
Now I know it is a bit early for them to be about, they are normally seen there from early to mid June, but you never know.
Well it wasn't to be, this time so a return trip is needed in a few weeks. While I was there looking around for any other wildlife about I was kept company by a male Cuckoo, it seemed to follow me wherever I went.
There was all the usual bird species, including many of the summer visitors, but I am not going to list them this time.
The other butterflies I did see was: Red Admiral, Small White, Large White,
Grizzled Skipper,

Brown Argus.

Peacock.

I only saw one species of dragonfly on the wing and that was the Hairy Dragonfly.

**23rd May **Halling.**

Yesterday was my first walk out for quite a while, and I couldn't have picked a better day weather wise. I didn't take my usual route, I did a shorter walk. From home I went down Marsh Road, to the river.
On the way to the river I saw the following birds down Marsh Rd, and on the Common: Robin, C/ Dove, W/Pigeon, Chaffinch, Dunnock, Pheasant, Kestrel, a Grey Heron which I spooked, Chiffchaff, Starling, Blackbird, Wren, Magpie, C/Crow, Common Whitetroat. I then heard the call of a male Cuckoo somewhere on the common. It sounded quite close, but could I find it? Could I hell as like.
While sitting by the river I saw many House Martin's collecting mud for nest building. I saw them collecting mud from the same part of the river bank last year.. Also over the river was a good number of Swifts,  plus:  Shelduck(8), Moorhen, Mute Swan, Mallard(m6,f4), Dabchick, Cormorant, H/Gull, C/Gull, B/H/Gull, C/Crow. No waders seen from here.
After a well earned rest I then went left following the river north. I didn't walk along the top path I took the well over grown lower one.  I came across my first dragonflies of the year, there was 3 of them chasing up and down over the water, but there was no way I was able to identify them.
It wasn't until I got near to the end of the footpath where the reeds are by the salt marsh that I was hearing the call of Sedge Warblers all around.
 I starting seeing various butterflies around to add to my year list, the best one I saw was a Green Hairstreak, one I don't see in Halling very often, or maybe I don't look hard enough :-) I nearly missed it but if it hadn't moved I would have missed it. The others was a male Brimstone, Large White, Common Blue.
While I was watching the Green Hairstreak my attention was taken by a couple of insects mating just below me. I have tried hard scanning my books but i am still unsure as to what they are, I am sure one of my fellow bloggers will know. ( With the help of Greenie's  "Little grey cells". I now believe them to be Crane Flies / Tipula maxima .)

On my walk back I couldn't help but notice that many of the blue Damselflies have hatched. I saw three  species, a Common Blue, a Blue Tailed,

 and what I believe to be Azure Damselfly.

After cooking, in the afternoon sun I called it a day and made my way home. En route I added a few more bird species to my days list, which was as follows: Green Woodpecker, Song thrush, Greenfinch, H/Sparrow, Goldfinch,n Blue Tit, and a Great Tit.

All in all I had a enjoyable walk. I was pleased to hear my first Cuckoo of the year, along with the other wildlife seen.
 My best sighting of the day is the ** Green Hairstreak Butterfly.**

P.S. I came acoss this while sorting out my old bird magazines, It shows some of the different bill patterns of  Whooper and Bewick Swans.

** Off Line For About 2 Weeks,ie Laptop Probs.**

I have got to send my laptop back to Toshiba for about 10-14 days due to a overheating problem. As it happens I have only got about 6 weeks warranty left on it so it has gone wrong at just the right time, although I wish it hadn't gone wrong at all.
Until then, to all my fellow bloggers, good luck with your sightings. Adios for now.

** 26th April Dungeness RSPB Reserve.**

Not being able to get out for a few weeks, I took a chance on visiting Dungeness RSPB Reserve. When we left home it was cold, windy and raining, but the closer we got to Dungeness the better the weather got. The rain had cleared and the sun was out, but it was still windy. The temperature rose from 12c when we arrived to 15c when we left.
 The water levels was high, and most of the islands have disappeared. On the notice board in the visitors centre there wasn't anything out of the ordinary to speak of. I was going to go to the Scott Hide first, but many of the birders that had been there on  this morning reported back to the centre informing them that that area of Burrows was almost birdless, so we decided to make our way to Denge Marsh Hide. Still being a bit windy  I grabbed my scope and headed inside. It was quieter than I have seen it for ages, a few species but not in good numbers. I spend about a hour chatting with some other guy, then just as I was getting ready to leave 2 Common Tern's came into view, then they sat on one of the posts. The next thing we saw was what we thought was a difference of opinion, squabling, chasing each other, then it changed, they then started what looked like a courtship display, flying close together, going well up high, and then descending together.
The species of birds seen from here was: Mallard, Teal, Tufted Duck, Pochard, Coot, G/C/Grebe, Dabchick, Greylag Geese, Canada Geese, Mute Swan, Gadwall, Marsh Harrier( 2 female,1 male). Outside the hide was a Reed Bunting sitting just in the Brambles.

On the way back, heading towards the ARC Pit, we stopped and started here and there looking for any small birds that might have just arrived, the first birds we came across was a flock of about 20 Linnets, many in breeding plumage, a Cetti's warbler was a short distance past them., singingg well but not showing itself.
When a the gate we parked up and had a good scan around, in the fields was plenty of C/Crows, mixed in with them was Magpie, and Jackdaws. Others seen was: C/Dove, W/Pigeon, Starling. The next birds we saw quite low and quick with it, Swifts, roughly about  a dozen, maybe more, and in with them was a few Swallows. I was surprised to see the Swifts, they are normally the last ones I see, the Swallows, H/Martins, and Sand Martins are normally the first.

Last stop was the Hanson Hide.  I had a feeling that there wasn't much to see here, seeing as there was only one car in the car park, and then we past them walking back down the track to it, anyway I don't mind having a hide all to my self. After opening the windows I could see why, as with across the road, the water level was high and all the islands apart from about 3 was below water. The sun was now shining very bright  and the wind had completely dropped, so this time I did take the camera in with me just in case anything caught my eye. Most of the usual birds I see here was present, I will list them at the end. I did notice that the Wigeon, Pintail, and Goldeneye had left, I also couldn't find the Long Tailed Duck, even though it was on the board. What I did find happily floating around on the water taking in the sun's rays was a Little Gull.
Again there was many species of bird present but not in large numbers. Species seen and heard from here was as follows; G/B/B/Gull, L/B/B/Gull, Herring Gull, Common Gull, B/H/Gull, c/crow, Magpie, G/C/Grebe, Dabchick, Grey Heron which made a sudden fly by in front of the hide, I grabbed the camera  and tried to get a shot of it, this is the best of a bad bunch.
The top one is when it came across first, and the second one is after it landed in the reeds for a few seconds it came back again flying past the hide going left out of the sunlight in the shady area.

                              
Carrying on with the list: Mallard, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Teal, Coot, Moorhen, Shoveler, Shelduck (one of them stayed quite close to the hide feeding, I managed to get a few shots of it, I decided not to take the usual sitting on the water shots, I went for the up ending ones, I have posted them at the bottom.), marsh Harrier, Kestrel,  Mute Swan,

Greylag Geese, Cormorant, Gadwall, Oystercatcher, Lapwing.
Outside the hide the following birds was heard, Great Tit, Reed Warbler, Sedge Warbler.
Before leaving for home I wanted to see if the Tree Sparrows was still showing as there are workmen in the area putting up new fences. They was still there. I counted 17, but I am sure there was more about.
Below is the Shelduck photo's, the last one is my favourite.

What sort of creature is this?? What would come out of the water wearing a white shirt and a tuxedo doing a Tommy Cooper impersonation.... WELL BLOGGERS, ANY IDEA'S??????

"M"y "E"aster "D"elight (Friday 6th April)

Hoping that Friday was going to be the best day on the Easter Holiday I decided to go  on the Isle of Sheppey with my friend Ian for a days birding. We headed for Leysdowne Beach to start. When we arrived the tide was in, the only birds apart from a few Gulls on the water, a handful of Turnstones was sitting in the groynes. We then turned about and checked  the putting green. it was mainly Gulls on it, along with C/Crows, a few Jackdaws, Starlings and W/Pigeons, but after going through the Gulls again 8  stood out, they was Mediterranean Gulls in full breeding plumage. That was a good start to the day.
From here we headed off to Harty Ferry. Our 1st stop was at Capel Fleet on which there was the following species, Mute Swan, 1 Grey Heron, Greylag, Mallard, Pochard,Shelduck, Teal, Tufted Duck, Coot, Moorhen, 2 Avocet, 2 Oystercatcher, 4 Lapwing, 3 Redshank,  a Green Woodpecker, and a 2 Common Buzzard riding the thermals
We drove further along the road and stopped at one of the pull offs, to  watch 5 Marsh Harriers
soaring . While watching them  there was a good number of skylarks singing, along with a couple of Reed Buntings. and a few Red legged Partridge.
As we carried on towards the Harty Ferry Inn, stopping off again on the way we watched a pair of Marsh Harriers displaying listening to the female calling. a Sparrowhawk passed overhead
I also saw my first Peacock Butterfly.
Once at the Inn we had lunch before scanning the river. When we did the first birds sighted was a small gaggle of Brent Geese. All the small pools out in front was dry apart from one. There was a few wading birds
around, Redshank, Lapwing, Oystercatcher, Little Egret. the Gulls seen was Black Headed, Herring, Common, and Lesser Black Backed . A male Kestrel was sitting on the box in the field below  Harty church.
The other raptor seen was another Sparrowhawk. The other species seen from here was as follows; Shelduck, /Dove, W/Pigeon, Greenfinch, Chaffinch, Robin, Wren, Linnet, Blackbird, Pied Wagtail, H/Sparrow.
We tried scanning the river but the heat haze was so bad it was difficult to see anything.
Our last port of call was Elmley RSPB Reserve. We arrived here at about 1.30pm. We had a scan from the beginning of the entrance track to see if the Rough legged Buzzard might still be around but we never saw it if it was. What we did see though was just as good for this time of year,  I regularly  check the bird report websites, and I haven't seen any reported yet,  the gird in question is a beautiful male Yellow Wagtail (Flavissima race). It was walking around with the cattle that was grazing a short way up the track. I did try to get a shot of it but I must have spooked it and it moved further off to where the other cattle was.
We did meet the warden later in the day so we reported it to him as it is the 1st one seen this year.
We also saw a good number of Skyarks again singing. Other species seen on the way to the car park was:
Mute Swan, Lapwing, Starling, Greylag, C/Crow, and a single Common Buzzard.
Once at the car park we expected it to be busy but there was only about 8 cars there. As usual a scan over the wall next to the ladies loo was first. There wasn't any sight of the Little Owl, but there was plenty of birds to keep us occupied. First of all was the birds by the pool, 10-20 Avocet,  1 Whimbrel, 3 Oystercatchers, 7 Redshanks, Teal, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Shelduck. Dabchick.
In the fields not too far behind the pool was many Gulls, what we saw next was something I don't think I will ever see again  at least 52 MEDITERRANEAN GULLS, all in full breeding plumage. Ian and I both counted them several times and 52 was the average figure we arrived at. It was a pity the wasn't close enough for photo as it would have made a great one. They was lovely to watch with the sunshine on their plumage, showing off their black heads, blood red bills and pure white plumage, so along with the other 8 seen earlier that made about60 in total seen.
The first hide we went to was the South Fleet Hide, on the way there we didn't see anything out of the ordinary.
As we walked up the path to the hide a couple of Meadow Pipits was sitting close by.
After settling down, out in front was many white birds, which was made up of Shelducks and Avocets.
There was other species around but I decided to count those 2 species to see just how many of them there was. I counted the Shelduck first, my estimated figure was 169 that I could see. The Avocet was a lot higher. From the scrape closest to the hide to the far pool was about 276, andf a good number of those was
paired up and mating.
There was another good species seen and that was a Little Stint.
Greylag Geese, Cormorant, Grey Heron, Marsh Harrier(4), Kestel,  Mute Swan, Little Egret, Shelduck, Teal, Gadwall,  Tufted Duck, Pochard, Wigeon, Redshank, Curlew, Lapwing, Oystercatcher, Ringed Plover, Coot, Moorhen, B/H/Gull, Herring Gull, C/Crow, Jackdaw, Magpie, Skylark, Starling,
Our final stop was the Wellmarsh Hide. The water lever here was better than I had expected, I thought it would be pretty dry, but I was wrong. Many of the species seen from here was the same as seen from the South Swale Hide. The only different sightings was Black Tailed Godwits most in full breeding plumage covering about 3/4 of one of the islands out in front 4 Common Buzzards,and finally a bird that was virtually in it's breeding plumage, a Spotted Redshank. I was hoping that it would work it's way along the water's edge nearer to the hide, but no such luck.
As we was leaving the car park we saw a flock of about 50 ish Linnets wheeling looking for what looked like somewhere to land.
We didn't see any Swallows, but there is nest building taking place in the usual place, just inside the gents toilet block.

We had a great days birding to which I would like thank Ian for.
My Bird Of The Day is not difficult today, in fact it is Birds Of The Day, which are the :
         ***  Mediterranean Gulls.***

** Dungeness, And Scotney Pit.**

I was in 2 minds as to where to go today, it was either Stodmarsh, or Dungeness, and after reading Phil's blog I should have picked the former not the latter. When we left home the temperature was 14.5c so I was expecting a lovely day. By the time we arrived the temperature had dropped to 12c but still warmish.
I wanted to have a look at the trapping area, so that is where we went first. I know that the best time to go there is early morning or evening, but I still thought I would give it a go.
I was hoping for a Black Redstart but it wasn't to be, the only species seen was: Pied Wagtail, H/Sparrow, Meadow Pipit,
Starling, and the usual Gulls.
From here it was off to Dungeness RSPB Reserve.  Before entering the reserve we stopped off on the road, to scan the shallows and islands at the top of the ARC Pit, from here there was 11 Teal, 2 Oystercatchers, 2 Ringed Plover, and 1 Curlew. We moved on because I was going to watch the ARC Pit from the Hanson Hide later.
After entering the gates I could hear Tree Sparrows, but I decided to stop and see them on the way out.
After having a chat with Christine, and Mary in the centre we was told that the Long tailed Duck was on Burrows Pit, soafter having a scan around I saw it over the far back. I did however get a much better view of a Knot that was just out in front on one of the islands. We was surprise to see that the water level is high, and not low as I would have expected. Apart from those 2 birds there was nothing different out there, just the norm. Over on the feeder was  Chaffinch  Reed Bunting, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Greenfinch.
By now we was getting peckish so we went around to Denge Marsh Hide with the prospect of seeing the male Garganey that is present. After lunch I set off to look for it, which had been seen from the gate to the far end of the track up past the hide, by now the temperature had taken a dive to 10c, it was now fleece and light weight top coat time.
When I got there 3 other birders was already looking for it, but they told me that there was no sign of it. We all stayed there a while longer, but nothing, it could have been close in to the reeds. It seems as if the one at Stodmarsh was easier to see, or should I say a pair.
Many of the usual species was showing, but the highlight was more Great Crested Grebes displaying, which is most places at the moment.
There was 37 Wigeon along with:Gadwall, Mallard, Teal, Shelduck, Shoveler, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Dabchick(3), Greylag Geese, Canada Geese, Marsh Harrier, Mute Swan, Cormorant.
Over the back in the fields was a mixture of C/Crows, Jackdaws, and a few Rooks, W/Pigeon.
On the way out there was a few more species seen to add to the days list; Grey Heron, C/Dove, Magpie,
We stopped at the gate to look for the Tree Sparrows, and it didn't take long to see them. Even though one of the feeders was empty they was still hanging around the area, I counted about 11.
We then went to the Hanson Hide. When I got in there a photographer was sitting in the corner, and he said  to me" I wouldn't open the flaps it I was you, it is blowing a gale and cold with it".
Was I glad I had extra layers on, It was still very cold ,but with the wind chill factor it was bitter. Before he went he did say he heard that there was, or had been a few  Snow Geese at Scotney Pits so I thought I would pop round there when we leave.
As on Burrows Pit the water level is really high, at least 3 of the islands out in front was underwater. On the larger island was 3 Ringed Plover, 4 Oystercatcher, and 2 Lapwing.
Much of the wild fowl was as before, what you would expect, apart from 3 male Goldeneye, and 5 female Goldeneye.
Along with the Cormorants nesting on their usual island was a mixture of Gulls, L/B/B, Herring,  and Common.
A female Marsh Harrier made a few low fly by's putting all the birds up. There was also a small group of G/B/B/Gulls heading towards the power station.  It was now time to leave.
Once at Scotney Pits I didn't have to wait long to see the Snow Geese, there was 7 out in front grazing. There was also a large number of Gulls here. The island in the centre was covered with them, from G/B/B's to B/H Gulls.
The wind was still blowing as it was at ARC Pit, and cold with it too. The temperature in the car was still reading 10c.
After seeing the Geese we left for home, in fact if it wasn't for them I would have gone home earlier due to the drop  in temperature, but it didn't take long to warm up, by the time we reached the M20 the temperature was back up to 13c.
It may have  been a day of a warm arrival to very cold leaving, but I still enjoyed it, as usual.

** Halling Walk and Garden Watch.**

It was definately a day for being out and about. As usual  feeding the horses comes first, how could I not feed them, they are so use to me going that way they always come over to the fence for their carrots and apples.
From there I made my way to the river, via the cemetery. I was hoping that there would be more activity in the cemetery area, by now, but apart from the common species nothing different showed.
As soon as I arrived at the river I knew that I wasn't going to see a that many birds because it was high tide, this was at about 11am. No sooner had I arrived when I found myself taking my sweater off, It was plenty warm enough in just a gillet.
As I looked on the river the first thing I saw was a sculler, shortly followed by a small motor cruiser.

The best species on the river was 4 Shelducks, along with 11 Mallards, 3 Cormorants, 2 Moorhens, and Herring, Common, and B/H/Gulls.
From here I strolled onto the Common hoping to maybe see my 1st butterfly of the year. I also  thought by now there should be a few more birds about, but there was nothing different, the ones I did see was Great Tit, Blue Tit, Dunnock, Robin, Starling, Wood Pigeon, C/Crow, Greenfinch, House Sparrow.
Further along the footpath I had another scan of the river, where I saw 2 Mute Swans up ending, a Little Grebe, and 3 more Moorhens.
I also picked up  a few more species on the Common,  Blackbird, Magpie, Wren, Pheasant, Chaffinch, Green Woodpecker, and a male Blackcap.
When I arrived at the stile at the bottom of Marsh Rd, I sat on the stile, as I normally do. I sit here to scan the sky for birds of prey.
There was a couple of other birds on Halling salt marsh, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Canada Geese, and 7 Greylag Geese.
As I sat there scanning the sky I heard a bird that I haven't heard in Halling for just under 2 years, and that is a Cetti's Warbler. It sounded as if it was real close, but that is not always the way.
My final sighting was seen while scanning the sky in the old disused quarry area near, which was what started off as 2 Common Buzzards. After watching them soaring, riding the thermals,  for about 5 minutes, another one came up from behind the tree line, and started soaring around with them, so now I was watching 3 Common Buzzards.
It was very peaceful watching them glide with ease in the blue sky, their tail spread, broad wings pulled forwards in a slight "V" , and just as I thought that was the highlight of my walk, it wasn't, their was a 4th one, way up high, directly above them. I am normally happy to see one which is quiet regular.
I called it a day and started up Marsh Rd. I made one final stop at the cattle feeder to have one last look at the Buzzards, I am glad I did, as 2 of them started displaying.
My final sighting of the day was in the scrub about 100yards passed the treatment works down Marsh Rd, I heard it first before seeing it, the bird I am talking about is a Chiffchaff. My first of the year. Welcome back.
I didn't see any butterflies on my walk, until I was nearly home. As I walked across the lower playing field, a Brimstone flew straight past me into someone's back garden, so that's one for the year list.

The view across the River Medway from Halling Common.

Wouldham Church as seen from the stile.

re: the Common Buzzards. They have been breeding in the woodland in the old disused quarry area for a few years now, but when ever that are out and about, on the wing they seldom stray far from this area. I live quite close but I don't see them from my garden very often.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I had a short garden watch today, which produced the usual species of bird which includes a couple of good species; Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Dunnock, Robin, H/Sparrow, Reed Bunting(5), Blackcap(m), C/Dove, W/Pigeon, Blue Tit, Blackbird, Magpie, Starling,
I have noticed that for the last 4 days a Blue Tit has been taking moss into a nest box that has been on our wall for about 2 years now, it is the first time any bird has shown an  interest in it, fingers crossed something becomes of this.