Thursday 29th July 2010

Up to my eyes again at work so only a few sightings from today.  A Silver-Y caught in the kitchen last night was one of seven seen - numbers seem to be increasing on my patch.  Another moth was also caught, looks like some sort of Underwing to me but I'd be grateful for help IDing.  Just scrolling through Ross' blog, and almost falling asleep in the process, I can positively ID it as Lesser Broad-bordered Yellow Underwing, long name for a small moth! 

Good numbers of Linnets on the way into work near Gallagher's Gallop and evidence of Kestrels breeding near the Quarry all made for an interesting 10 minute bike ride. 

The Little Owl had changed position and posed on the guttering on the SE edge of Kiln Barn Farm Barn, and when he turned his head he was surprisingly camouflaged.

At lunchtime the light had deteriorated and a my photo of the 'Black 5' was spoilt by not being able to use a fast enough shutter speed. 

As I returned to work a couple of planes 'growled' over - one a Spit, the other a Harvard I think (help me Twisden)?  Steam train & Spit - it was like finding myself back in the 1940s! 

I'd seen the 'Harvard' over yesterday as well - any ideas where it's flying from anyone or white the other plane (white dot underneath) is?  A Spit and Hurricane had flow over site on Friday afternoon as well - is the Battle of Britain really over?!

Late this evening the Hedgehog paid another visit - blurring caused by the speed it moved (like the train).

Wednesday 17th March

Over to Ditton Quarry, the first visit for a few weeks.  I was hoping to my first Chiffchaff of the year, and Ditton with it's extensive shrubby areas has been reliable in the past.  No sign or sound.  A couple of Bullfinches lisped in the elders, a Kestrel hovered in the SW corner and Goldfinches and Greenfinches sang and displayed from almost every tree!  I noticed a number of 'pellets' around the site - presumably Kestrel or Sparrowhawk, but i'd be interested to hear from anyone who knows about these things.  No Spring migrants and no winter reminants - that rare time of the year when it's a case of 'residents only'...well that's what I thought until I happened upon 150+ Fieldfare and 30+ Redwing feeding on the pasture just south east of Kiln Barn Farm!

Monday 11th January

Winter Thrushes on the cane supports of the concept Pear Orchard

(bit washed out, but click to enlarge)

Back at work, masses of Fieldfares and Redwings at usual and another feeding frenzy brought on by the snow - it really is something to behold, the noise of hundreds of Fieldfares and redwings squabbling over fallen fruit is quite something. The ratio of Redwings to Fieldfare seemed to have changed with more Fieldfares than of late. Opposite the Great East Hostel I was pleased to see a small parcel (13) of Linnets with 5+ Skylarks pecking amongst the same herbs. In the orchard alongside I was suprised to see a gaggle of 90+ Greylag Geese, picking over the apples that the winter thrushes had been feeding on last week (see Monday 4th January blog). The Genebank (orchard at back of East Malling Church) held good numbers of Blackbirds, and the orchard nearest the main Laboratory building held a few Song Thrushes, Chaffinches and Green Woodpecker amongst the assembled flocks and crowds of Fieldfare and Redwing. A male Kestel was also about.

Saturday 5th December

Only 10 minutes to check out the churchyard, St Margaret's, Barming mid-morning. A Kestrel hung in the air alongside the pylons by the A26. Only 3x Redwings feeding in the yews, along with a couple of hard chacking Blackbirds. A repetitive 'si-si-si' alerted be to an excitable volery of Long-tailed Tits. The lead bird flitted out of a yew and down into a heavily-scented Virburnum next to me. A cascade of small birds followed, including the remainder of Long-tailed Tit gang, a Blue Tit and Goldcrest. It really was quite an exotic mix of colours; vivid pink of the Viburnum flowers, set off against the subtle blues and yellows of the Blue Tit, blush pink of the Long-tailed Tits, the mossy green hue and contrasting yellow crown stripe of the Goldcrest. The party quickly worked through the twigs and branches of the shrub and moved on, with the exception of the Goldcrest which, although restless throughout (as they always are), lingered to check every bud and apex. Enticed by 'pishing' it moved onto the outer branches and for a moment looked at me with that 'amazed' look that the peppercorn eye of a Goldcrest gives you! By far away the best, and closest views, of a Goldcrest I've ever had.

The need for replacment bulbs for my Christmas lights (predictable event if there ever was one!) saw me visting the Quarrywood Industrial estate in Aylesford. I noticed a fenced off area alongside BHS, and peering through the fence saw a deep pool, run off from the industrial estate I expect. A pair of Little Grebe drifted around the perimter and a fox slouched nearby, oblivious to shopping frenzy that was taking place only yards away. Perusing the lighting section of BHS store (in desperation I might add), I had the delight of adding Mike Easterbrook (Kent county recorder - butterflies) to the day list....shame Wolves were winning!

Friday 4th December

A long-awaited walk into work this morning, with no rain or wind to contend with. Peering over the wall to the orchards, opposite the pedestrian crossing on the A26 East Barming I quickly racked up 10 species, including 10+ Redwing, 15 Fieldfare, Green Woodpecker and Sparrowhawk...not bad sightings just off a main road! The rest of the route was alive with birds again; Bullfinches (by Pea Field), GS Woodpecker (opposite Heath Road) and a noticeable increase in Redwing numbers, with birds being seen in two new locations for the winter, and five individuals being picked out feeding in a single tree halfway up North Street. Seven Stock Doves were an unexpected addition, sitting out with the Crows by Gallagher's Gallop. The Little Owl was the last tick of the morning, huddled in it's usual spot in Kiln Barn Farm Cattle shed. Twenty-four species in total, but lacking regulars such as Jay, Pied Wagtail and both Goldfinches and Greenfinches.

Checking the plots mid-morning I was glad to see a Kestrel hunting over the west side of the site, and nine Skylarks and a Pied Wagtail took to the air as I walked down one of the strawed alleyways. The sun was still shining at lunchtime so I did a quick sortie over to Ditton Court Quarry. More Redwings, accompanied by too many Blackbirds to keep tabs on, were feeding on the ground, but were extremley shy and flighty. Eight Lesser Redpolls were still feeding on the Alder trees with the charm of Goldfinches.

Tuesday 6th October

The rain, long awaited, really set in today. Puddles started to appear where last week there had been dust bowls. A 30 minute walk around the Research land, East Malling proved pretty barren. The rain-beaded apples added a bit of colour to the gloom.
A Kestrel hung in the air over it's patch near the Great East Hostel (adjacent to the public footpath from the Church), a bounding charm of Goldfinches moved restlessly around the grassed area near the main buildings. A pair of Linnets were new for the month. Four Swallows zipping low and fast south and a fresh Comma were unexpected finds.

The highlight of the day for me though was the increasing roost of Starlings on site - 500+ minimum and weighing down the wires across the plots.