Birdwatcher’s Diary No.106

Published on: 18 Apr, 2016
Updated on: 17 Apr, 2016

By Malcolm Fincham

Cancelling our usual trip to the coast during the Easter weekend due to weather conditions, we decided on a visit to Pulborough Brooks instead. It was as the tail end of Storm Katie passed through.

Using the hides there to shelter from the heavy showers, we often had to keep the viewing windows closed to stay protected from the prevailing wind, carrying with it rain horizontal in nature.

Closer encounters of sand martins last summer at Frensham pond. Click on all pictures to enlarge in a new window.

Although unproductive in the way of seeing any early arrivals of summer migrant species, apart from distant views of a few sand martins, for me it did turn out to be a worthwhile visit.

American wigeon at Pulborough.

Among the waders and wildfowl still wintering there was unusual looking wigeon. On close inspection and having taken a few record shots, I realised what it was. It took a while to digest that it was in fact an American wigeon. Perhaps brought in across the Atlantic on the tail end of the prevailing winds?

Peregrine perches in its favourite spot by the brooks at Pulborough.

Also present was the resident peregrine, perched in its favourite tree, overlooking the scrape.

Peregrine hunting at Pulborough.

From this vantage point it was able to get a panoramic view of the entire brooks. And when the mood suited, it would take flight, scaring up the waders and waterfowl as it looked out for an unsuspecting critter to take for prey.

Avocets at Sidlesham Ferry Pool, Pagham, West Sussex.

A trip to Pagham RSPB reserve in West Sussex the following weekend was much more productive. A pair of avocets could be seen feeding in Sidlesham Ferry pool.

Record shot of a male redstart at Church Norton, West Sussex.

Having heard a willow wabler singing there, I was able to get my first record shot this year of a summer migrant. A redstart, having flown all the way from Africa to spend the summer here.

Shelducks at Church Norton, West Sussex.

While visiting Church Norton near Pagham there were a “doading” or “dopping” of shelducks (according to collective nouns). These seemed to be in some dispute with each other, possibly a good sign of the approaching breeding season?

Turnstones at Church Norton, West Sussex.

Adding to our sightings there were a group of turnstones, conducting their usual ritual of turning over stones on the shoreline, looking for a snack.

Little egret at Church Norton.

Several little egret were also present.

Red-legged partridge.

In a field nearby, a pair of red-legged partridges could be seen as they grazed, sheltered from sight at the edge of some farmland.

As we moved into April, I began to get sightings of some of our UK summer arrivals on my local patch at the Riverside Nature Reserve.

First sighting of the year of a common whitethroat at Stoke Nature Reserve.

My first new sighting of the year there was a common whitethroat on April 12. Looking a little shy on its arrival, with a little patience, it finally allowed me a photo-shot.

Swallows hawking over Stoke Lake.

The following evening six or more swallows had arrived, hawking for insects over the water at Stoke Lake.

Swallows hawking over Stoke Lake. Can you spot the kingfisher?

By accident I even managed to pick out a kingfisher perched in the sallows on the far side of the lake.

Blackcap in song at Stoke Nature Reserve.

A blackcap also made an appearance, singing its charming song as I snapped a few shots.

Treecreepers at Stoke Nature Reserve.

Now starting to pair up were treecreepers seen together in a wooded area.

Wolf-whistle-like calls from the nuthatch.

While nuthatches could be heard making their wolf-whistle-like calls.

Mute swans forming a heart shape with their necks near Stoke Lake.

And the pair of mute swans looking relaxed as they formed heart shapes with their necks.

Coot with chicks at Stoke Nature Reserve.

More advanced were a pair of coots now with a clutch of chicks.

Dabchick at Stoke Lake.

A dabchick took me by surprise as it popped up from the reeds at the waters edge by Stoke Lake.

A pair of shovelers still on the scrape near Stoke Lock.

While out on the flooded field a pair of wintering shovelers could still be seen.

On a sunny sunny evening, in a quiet location on our Surrey borders, I found myself in ”Nivirna” as I watched a sight that I could only have dreamt of just a few years ago – that of red kites. Allowing myself to ”fill me boots” with a montage of photos while I watched in awe.

With an impressive wingspan and bright yellow eyes, the red kite also has a distinctive forked tail which it uses like a rudder when in flight.

Many species of birds have been in decline throughout many parts of the UK due to various reasons, such as loss of habitat, due to urbanisation as well as changes of farming methods during the last few decades, especially in the Surrey area. But we have to be thankful for conservation work that is being carried out by http://www.surreywildlifetrust.org/ and many volunteers.

Road-casualty pheasants, rabbits and squirrels form an important part of the diet of the reintroduced kites in England.

So it’s good to be enlightened by a few success stories in recent years that some birds and mammals are actually starting to increase in number. And seen in increasing numbers in the Surrey area in recent years are sightings of red kites.

The reintroduction of the red kite to England and Scotland has been one of the major conservation success stories of the last 20 years.

Once a common sight around towns and cities prior to the Victorian era and even mentioned by Shakespeare in A winter’s Tale. He was clearly aware of the kite’s habitat of adorning its nest with frilly material, including underwear.

Historically, the kite was associated with towns and cities where it was valued as a scavenger, helping keep streets clean.

Another name for the kite often used by Shakespeare was the ‘paddock’ or ‘puttock’. And perhaps the greatest nature poet John Clare wrote these words in about 1820 to create some beautiful imagery of the kite in flight.

“Ah, I could see a spinner nigh / A paddock riding in the sky / Above the oaks in easy sail / On stilly wings and forked tail.”

Kites are surprisingly lightweight. In the spring adults weigh around 900gm, which is considerably less than a mallard duck.

At one time in the UK, red kites were ubiquitous scavengers that lived on carrion and rubbish. In a quite location on the Surrey borders I was able to locate one in action.

Although this particular one didn’t appear to be looking for underwear. It was certainly hunting around a field looking for prey. Taken in by the spender of its flight, I couldn’t resist the chance of taking a few photos while I watched its magnificent display.