Sunday 10 May 2009

Saturday 9th May

Back on patch a early evening/dusk walk along the River Medway between Barming and Teston Bridges. Lots of Yellowhammers and Common Whitethroats in song.

A Green Carpet moth posed in the lush undergrowth, not that well camoflauged despite it's grue hues. A Cuckoo was calling, and was seen, at the back of the houses on South Street, Barming.
Further along the river, just west of Barming Bridge I noticed a duck skulking under the overhanging willows and when it finally emerged I was pleased to see it was a female Mandarin Duck a new tick for me in Barming. I've seen them near the river at Beltinge near the Hop Fram so I shouldn't be too suprised to find one on the Medway. It was very elusive and in the dying light I only managed a rather blurred record shot.
Just before Teston I checekd for Barn Owls near the box they were nesting in last year. No luck, not a sound, I'll keep checking though. A lone Swift flickered fast above the river like some scythed-winged bat, and a couple of Swallows dipped down to the river, rippling it with their beaks. Finally a fox peered over the railway embankment to check what was making the rabbits bolt. Still hoping for Spotted Flycatcher, Turtle Dove and Barn Owl that frequented this stretch last year.

5 comments:

Steve said...

The Manderin is certainly a nice addition. We had a Flycatcher near Tovil footbridge last year so I'll start looking soon.

Warren Baker said...

Nice post Adam. I must really try to get out in the evening more!

Good tick for you with the Mandarin duck. Must be mine!

I left an answer to your question on my blog today. Do you keep records/stats ?

Steve said...

Really like the Fox pic Adam. No Spot fly in Birling/Ryarsh yet

Ken. said...

Hi Adam. Nice pictures, especially the Fox in silhouette, and the Green Carpet Moth.

Greenie said...

Adam ,
Like Ken , I like the fox silhouette , but my favourite shot is that last one . Super .