Monday 1 February 2010

Monday 1st February


Frosty and Icy start and down to the river at day break to see if I couldn't relocate the Common Sandpiper I had yesterday (or a Jack Snipe!). I flushed a couple of Snipe, they didn't 'squelch' like normal, but flew high and I get them in the bins for a couple of minutes...I think they made it to Teston but just wouldn't come back down! A couple of Cormarants flew onto the river, joining a Mute Swan, Coot, 2x Canada Geese and a pair of Little Grebes which were skirting around the river edge just west of Barming Bridge. Little Grebes area real scarcity on this part of the river, only my 2nd record.
Back up the hill and on to work, with 12x Lesser Redpoll in the Silver Birch at the top of South Street, joined by a Greenfich and a volery of Long-tailed Tits. House Sparrows everywhere, doing what House Sparrows do. A Sparrowhawk drifted over Gallagher's Quarry, and at Kiln Barn Farm the Little Owl was seen again. As I passed under the railway bridge 2x Foxes trotted past! At lunchtime I paid a long overdue visit to Ditton Quarry, not much out of the ordinary, except a large gallup of Redpolls, 17 in total (I thoght there were only 10, but when they took flight another 7 appeared from somewhere!).
Best sighting of the day though goes to Karen, the receptionist at the Research, spotted taking some lunch home for her pet panda!

3 comments:

Greenie said...

Adam ,
Had thought about visiting South Street and Ditton Quarry yesterday after New Hythe and before Cliffe , but got delayed looking for female Goldeneye .
Still looking for my first Siskin or Redpoll of the season .
Lots of Pandas around your way ?

Warren Baker said...

Made me laugh about your Redpoll comment. I count Siskins like that - 30 in the tree, 60 when they are flying off!

Edwin said...

Busted with a bamboo.
We would have taken it and her
to her drum (covertly)
are there NO gentlemen in the word botching community?