White Nun.

One of the smallest sawbills is the compact and very shy Smew (Mergellus albellus) that breeds in the northern boreal forests of Scandinavia and Russia.. A few individuals migrate in the winter to regular sites in the South of England but are often difficult to locate. I have not been sucessful in finding one this winter so here are a few images taken during a stroll around the wildfowl collection at the London Wetland Centre (WWT) last week.

As you can see the male in full breeding plumage is very distinctive hence it is commonly known as the 'White Nun' and its appearance always reminds me of 'cracked ice'. Conversely the females and immatures are commonly known as 'redheads'.

 In anyone's language this has to be one of the most stunning little diving ducks.  FAB.

Linking to Wild Bird Wednesday hosted by Stewart. So click the link to view numerous other species from around the globe.

Gadwall.

When seen from a distance you would be forgiven for thinking this is just a greyish-brown dabbling duck but only by getting up close to a Gadwall (Anas strepera) can you begin to appreciate its understated elegance.

Whilst the male lacks the gaudy plumage of many other drakes it is the finely vermiculated grey body; the peppery markings on the crown and breast; brown plumes over its back plus its distinctive black rear end that sets it apart from other duck species.

Linking to WILD BIRD WEDNESDAY.

Tufted Ducks.

Another day of overcast skies and rain so here are a few very recent images of the Tufted Ducks (Aythya fuligula) that frequent many of the local ponds.

This individual is showing a little of the white wing-bar which is usually only prominent when in flight.

The males are now changing from their eclipse plumage, when the flanks are dull brown, into their winter garb when the flanks become totally white and the distinctive tuft will get much longer.  FAB.

Linking to WILD BIRD WEDNESDAY.

A day in Kent.

Day 2 of 2010 saw us heading into Kent to meet up with friends. Derek had done his usual searches online so we drove over to Dungeness via Camber and Scotney Gravel Pits. During the journey we ticked off Redwing, Fieldfare, Lapwing and Golden Plover from the warm comfort of the vehicle. At Scotney a Kestrel landed fairly close while we scanned the ducks and gulls. Further up the road we were surprised to see at least a dozen Barnacle Geese waddling across the grass and heading for the water but nowhere to stop safely so we proceeded onwards to Dungeness.

A visit to the ARC pit produced a very good selection of ducks; Mallard, Wigeon, Teal, Shoveler, Pochard, Northern Pintail, Gadwall plus Coots and Moorhen of course! The ladies watched a Marsh Harrier but kept silent until after it had disappeared, but I got a few decent sightings later in the day.

Wildlife on the reserve was too far away for photos so a view of the power station will have to do.

A view of the distant old and new lighthouses.

I'm not going to list all the days sightings (55) but we did manage to find  4 Black-Necked and 1 Slavonian (Horned) Grebe, a Chiffchaff (possibly Siberian?), a redhead Smew, 8 Ruddy Ducks and 2 Common Snipe. Not unsurprisingly the reserve was overflowing with bird watchers all hoping to see a Bittern from the Christmas Dell hide. When we arrived the assembled watchers were very quiet, no recent sighting although one had been seen earlier and the location noted. After a quick sweep around I concentrated on the likely spot and after what seemed ages the Bittern partially appeared walking through the reeds. I think everyone saw it, if only briefly, but if they didn't then don't blame me.

Kestrel that posed for me at Scotney Gravel Pit.

For anyone who is interested I have updated my 2010 sightings list on the sidebar.   FAB.

A day at the coast with Tony

A not so early start for 'The Early Birder' today (Friday 16th) as I picked up Tony for a day birding at his request on the south coast at Farlington Marshes.

Farlington Marshes is 125 hectares (308 acres) of flower rich grazing marsh on the northern shore of Langstone Harbour. This is an internationally important site for wintering Brent Geese & Black-tailed Godwit plus a breeding site for Redshank, Lapwing & Skylark in the summer.

Mucky Ducks! (Teal)

Crow

A view of the freshwater lagoon

A confiding Little Egret

This is what we expected to see - 000's of overwintering 'Dark-bellied' Brent Geese

Close to the information hut we located this 'leg ringed' wader with it's head buried in the grass. Can you guess what it is?

Other notable sightings were Common Snipe (12), Kingfisher, Stonechat, Avocet (12+), Little & Great-crested Grebes, Grey Heron, Lapwing, Curlew, Knot, Dunlin (000's), Grey Plover, Oystercatcher, Pintail, Wigeon, Teal, Shoveller, Shelduck and a Water Rail [heard screaming]. A male Marsh Harrier was seen quartering above the extensive reed bed.

The afternoon was spent on Hayling Island at the old 'oyster beds'.

The early 19th century was probably the hey day of the Hayling Island oyster beds but in 1902 when new drainage / sewerage pipes were laid to meet increasing housing development the outfall into the harbour nearby caused major pollution and the oyster business failed. In the 1980's a large volume of rubble was 'dumped' into the beds. Some of the 'bunds' have been breached so nearly all of this previously protected area is now tidal. The rising tide breaks through the opening in the bunds.

Resting Redshanks & Shelducks

Most of the afternoon was spent watching displaying Red-breasted Mergansers (40?) and Goldeneye (15) plus we also added Turnstone & Ringed Plover to our day list.

And finally another Little Egret experiencing a bad hair day!

The final total for the day was 46, but the highlights were definitely the large numbers of Brent Geese, Red-breasted Mergansers & Goldeneye plus of course being able to get close to a confiding Black-tailed Godwit. Did you guess correctly?

Dungeness.....a very bleak day.

After a one and a half hour drive I arrived at Dungeness, Kent where the predominant landscape is wild and weird! Mile after mile of shingle that juts out into the English Channel which makes it the ideal location in spring & autumn to watch migrant birds. However, today it was sporting it's winter coat - very cold with a strong on shore wind, overcast, misty and very bleak. The whole area is dominated by the Nuclear Power Station.

As you can probably guess the main local industry is fishing.

My first stop for birdwatching was the ARC pit and the main inhabitants appeared to be just gulls...Black-headed, Common, Herring, Greater Black-backed and a few Lesser Blacked-backed.

Black-headed Gulls

Then I located the ducks, mainly Wigeon & Teal plus Northern Pintail, Shelduck, Coot and a single male Goldeneye.

Wigeon, Teal & Coot

On my return walk to the car I watched a Snipe drop into the marsh and immediately disappear and then a long distance view of Marsh Harrier.

Next stop was a circular walk around the RSPB reserve after booking into the Info Centre to buy a new logbook and check the sightings board that included Bitterns, Firecrest, Smew & Slavonian (Horned) Grebe - But bearing in mind the weather conditions what would I see?

Denge Marsh

Well the list started off with Great-Crested & Little Grebes, Cormorants, Mallard, Coot, Wigeon, Teal, Tufted & Ruddy Ducks, Shoveler, Pochard and a single female Goldeneye. I scanned everywhere for a Bittern but not my day! However I did find a Slavonian (Horned) Grebe and a redhead Smew but they both dived for long periods and were too far away to get any photos. Large flocks of Starlings & Lapwings appeared in the air from time to time.

Resting male Northern Shoveler

While digi-scoping the Shoveler a Water Rail squealed from nearby but as usual didn't show itself. A pair of Wrens displayed, calling to one another, in nearby Salix. Another but longer view of a male Marsh Harrier floating over distant red beds and disturbing Wigeon & Teal into flight. Other sightings included Mute Swans, Canada Geese, one over flying Greylag, Blue Tits, Great Tits, Robin, Blackbird, Chaffinch, Magpies, Woodpigeons and Stock Doves plus hovering Kestrel. Other animals were Rabbits and the resident sheep.

Who is looking at who?

I returned to the car via a new boardwalk which in the spring should produce a good location for migrant warblers.

My convoluted journey home via Scotney Pits, Camber then on to Pett Pools produced Redshank & Curlew on the roadside fields. Great-crested Grebe (20+) and Common Scoters on the angry sea at Winchelsea. A male and a female Bullfinch feeding in a bramble bush as I drove through Fairlight.

Weir Wood Reservoir

The last stop on the journey home was Weir Wood Reservoir but again very little activity on the water which was still partially frozen - a small group of Black-headed Gulls & Mallard. Whilst enjoying a much needed hot drink I was entertained by a Great-spotted Woodpecker, Dunnock, Long-tailed Tit and an unexpected Treecreeper only ten feet from the car but no time to get a photo...sorry folks!

So the total for the day was a creditable 57 species and has taken my 2009 year list to 96. Tony has just rung and wants me to take him to Farlington Marshes & then the old oyster beds on Hayling Island tomorrow so there is a chance we may add some new birds. If not it will be a day out in good company.