Tide Mills

After yet another day of missing Waxwings I went to Tide Mills, across the Ouse from Newhaven. Inspired by Winter Watch I was hoping to see roosting Purple Sandpipers at high tide. It was a windy morning and the rain, that was due later in the day, was trying to start early with a few light showers.

Roosting Purple Sandpipers.

On the top of the pier there were five roosting Purple Sandpipers with several Turnstones. This was a lifetime first for me. The birds pointed their breasts at the wind, moving like rudders as it changed direction. I tried to imagine a purplish tint to the feathers, but they seemed to be determinedly grey, though beautiful nonetheless. A few times an individual would untuck a long, thin, curved beak, but these were soon hidden away again. The birds were very tolerant and allowed me to get within a few metres.

One of the Turnstones.

Behind me in the harbour I saw a Kittiwake and a first winter Yellow-legged Gull.

First winter Greater Black-backed Gull, with thanks to Beachy Birder.

An anvil used by a Song Thrush with several smashed Garden Snail shell.

Later on a Stock Dove landed in the back garden. Annoyingly this was after I had finished counting for the Great British Birdwatch

Stock Dove

The results of the Birdwatch:

Woodpigeon 11

Blackbird 3

Great Tit 2

Herring Gull 14

Blue Tit 6

Magpie 3

Robin 1

Jackdaw 12

Grey Heron 1

Carrion Crow 2

Song Thrush 1

Dunnock 1

Chaffinch 1

Jay 1

Frozen West Rise Marsh

I have been to West Rise on many cold mornings, but I have never seen the main lake frozen. Only about a quarter of it remained ice free. This concentrated the the waterfowl and gulls into a smaller area.

Black-headed Gulls, in their winter plumage, out on the ice.

Despite the ice the sun was actually very warm and there was no wind. Lots of interesting birdlife around, even if the resident domestic Water Buffalo took a bit of a dislike to me and moved me on around my circuit of the lake with a noise somewhere between a snort and a growl.

 The Long-tailed Duck.

Tufted Duck in the water with Gadwall roosting on the ice behind.

Reed Buntings were feeding on the grass and Pied Wagtails were hopping around the feet of the Buffalo. There remain several Little Grebes on the freshwater sewer, though Great Crested Grebes are still absent from the lake. Close scrutiny of the gulls revealed Herring, Greater Black-backed, Common and Black-headed.

I disturbed several Common Snipe, but was thrilled to get two good views of flying Jack Snipe, their much shorter bills distinguishing them. A Common Buzzard was sitting in one of the low trees to the north of the lake. A Kestrel and later a Sparrowhawk flew over, but the raptor highlight was a female Marsh Harrier quartering the southern side of the lake. Twice she actually landed in the reeds at the lake's edge.

A group of Shoveler flying in.

I managed my best views yet of the Long-tailed Duck, that has been in residence for several months. Other waterfowl seen were Teal, Shoveler, Gadwall, Tufted Duck, Canada Goose and Mallard. Just as I was leaving I caught a brief glimpse of a Cetti's Warbler.

The waterfowl concentrated in the open water. In the background are diggers which have been dredging the freshwater sewers that drain the levels.

Cuckmere and the Ouse valleys

A bitterly cold morning, just before dawn at the Cuckmere where most of the meanders and the scrape were frozen over. This extreme weather had caused the waterfowl to collect in the ice free river in huge numbers.

A Mute Swan makes slow progress through the ice of the meanders.

Redshank in the foreground with Mallards, Canada Geese and a group of Wigeon taking off in the background.

Two pairs of flying Teal. The wonderfully coloured speculum of the males just showing.

The icebound scrape, with the sun just on the horizon behind the cliff.

The biggest group of flying Cormorants I have ever seen.

Both these photos are too blurry, but I just like the splashes made by the feet of the Greylag and Canada Geese too much to exclude them. After this my hands were too cold to take any more photos. It was an unpleasant walk back to the car.

Later in the day, after warming up, I drove further west over the Downs to the Ouse, the next river valley.

The marvellous Goosander near Cliffe bridge in Lewes.

Down river to Tide Mills to see the equally fantastic Serin.

Dunnock.

Stonechat.

2016: Highlights - Part 2

Part two!

#13 South African Fur Seal colony, Hout Bay 28th March.

The most beautiful of days for a boat trip from this stunning harbour. Kelp and Hartlaub's Gulls, Red-winged Starling, Sacred Ibis, Cape and White-breasted Cormorant and Black Oystercatcher. The swell was a gentle 15ft as we rounded the headland and caught sight of the magnificent colony. The smell was unbelievable too.

#12 Nesting House Martins,  Brotherswater, Lake District 23 -26th July.

The cottage we stayed in at the end of July had three active nests under the eaves. Each morning a mixture of newly fledged juveniles and adults would perch on a wire outside the bedroom, chirping gently at each other. My previous post from the 2nd of August describes the other species seen on the same wire.

#11 Ring Ouzel, Seaford Head 9th October.

Crazy numbers of this species on the South coast this Autumn. After a distant sighting on my patch, I caught up with this beautiful bird later in the day in the scrub above Hope Gap.

#10 White Rhinoceros, near Skukuza Restcamp, Kruger 3rd April.

Breathtaking and massive. My first wild Rhino was busy grazing right next to the safari truck. Another lifetime ambition.

#9 African Hoopoe near the Letaba River, Kruger 2nd April.

A truly iconic bird. Genuine punk rock attitude. I would love to see the European species.

#8 Turtle Dove, Alciston 7th June.

My first proper view of the sadly rare Turtle Dove. My feelings of joy were mixed with the sadness of knowing that this species could well become extinct in the UK during my lifetime.

#7 Little Owl Penshurst Estate, Kent 11th July

So pleased with this bird, a lifetime first for me. I had read about the habitat they prefer, and decided that the ride along the top of the Medway valley looked promising. No kidding.

#6 Saddle-Billed Storks, Letaba River, Kruger 2nd April.

This was probably at the top of my must see species for the whole trip to South Africa. Their plumage is insanely glorious. I am still delighted about seeing them today.

#5 Lion Pride near Skukuza Restcamp, Kruger 4th April.

What can I say? Iconic in so many ways. Just after dawn, with a golden sun just above the horizon. A huge male, four females and eight cubs. Watched this pride for over an hour, then they just disappeared through the trees to the west.

#4 African Penguins, Boulders Beach, South Africa 29th March.

On a day when I saw my first Ostrich and my first Albatross, these birds were still a fantastic spectacle. The site is a well managed tourist hot spot, and allows fantastic views. The penguins share the beach with Cape Cormorants, Kelp Gulls, Cape Wagtails and Blacksmith Plovers.

#3 Pink-footed Geese over Wells-next-the-sea, Norfolk 27th October.

Down at the harbour just before dawn on a very chilly morning. Unbelievable scenes as skein after skein flew in over the town, their distant calling could just be heard.

#2 Common Cranes, Stubbs Raptor Viewing Platform, Hickling Broad Norfolk 14th February.

(These are 'record shots', taken before I bought my new camera).
On a very cold afternoon, with snow threatening, I walked out to the raptor viewing platform. Great views of a Barn Owl and a Chinese Water Deer on the way. As I got closer I could hear them trumpeting. A pair of wild Cranes in Britain!

#1 Cheetah kill near Skukuza Restcamp, Kruger 3rd April.

A pair of Cheetah had just brought down an Impala. They ate hungrily while Black-backed Jackals, vultures and a Tawny Eagle looked on. More and more vultures spiralled down to join the throng as we watched. Amazing.

I will be delighted if 2017 even comes close to matching these marvellous experiences. I will certainly be out looking.