Monday 3rd January 2011

To cut a long story short I located at least 64 Waxwings at East Malling Research - there were more, I saw four flocks of birds but I only managed to get a count on three of these.  They were very confiding and were feeding voraciously on the apples on the trees.  Occasionally they'd fly off, and at one point I watched them until they landed in the trees on the western perimeter of Ditton Court Quarry (a new Quarry tick!).  I'll let the photos do the talking (see below)! Also CLICK HERE for a video of some of the birds.
As I left the site at 11:15 I saw a flock of Waxwings (20+) land in Ditton Court Quarry but couldn't relocate them.  John Clements pointed out a Siskin flying over.  Both John Clements and James Bushnell reported seeing a single male Brambling in the same orchard as the Waxwings.

I also had a Lesser Redpoll feeding with a lone Goldfinch in a Silver Birch tree on the Tonbridge Road, Barming.

NOTE: 

East Malling Research is a PRIVATE SITE with access to the public restricted to the use of the public footpath that runs across east-west the site.  Under NO circumstances should anyone trespass into the orchards or research land or block the public path or private roadway.  The Research Station reopens tomorrow after the Bank Holiday and there may be some disturbance in the orchards due to field operations.

If your visiting and get cold or hungry then check out Bramley's Restaurant next to the Conference Centre which serves hot and cold food and drink until 14:00!

Mixed flock on the wires (looking West towards East Malling Church), including Waxwing, Starling, Fieldfare and Redwing

Sunday 12th December 2010

I woke to news of more Waxwing sightings in Maidstone, with one flock of 22 in nearby Allington.   I decided to check out those locations where I thought they might turn up nearby.  Maidstone Hospital car park, St Andrews Park, various roads in Allington, Ditton Court Quarry and finally East Malling Research (it had to be bad going to work on a weekend!).  Needless to say I didn't find any Waxwings.  Returning home I found out from a local blog follower that there had been 23 birds mid-morning in Barming!  There's a strong possibility they were the same flock seen in Allington earlier in the morning, but with so many birds about who knows?! The birds had only remained a short time before moving on, but thanks Donna for the info, a new record for the Barming Heath tetrad so very much appreciated.  If anyone in the locality does happen to see any others then please feel free to contact me by phone (07972899377) or by email (adam.whitehouse@emr.ac.uk) - I will treat all reports in confidence in case anyone's worried about being descended on by hordes of twitchers!

The trips to the other sites won't wasted - Ditton Court Quarry turned up a couple of Lesser Redpoll and the number of winter thrushes on the East Malling Research site had increased massively with literately hundreds (maybe thousands) of Fieldfare and Redwing, supplemented by a huge murmaration of Starlings an company of Chaffinches.  Amongst the Chaffinches was a single Brambling, the first on this site for winter.  I'm sure there were more out there, and probably a Waxwing or two, but I just couldn't keep track of everything - really quite a spectacle (the photos don't do it justice!).

Wednesday 8th December 2010

25+ Lesser Redpolls were still in the silver birches at the north end of Oaken Wood this morning, and seemed more confiding than on previous occasions - food becoming short I guess.  Also 6+ Bullfinches along Gallagher's Gallop and a couple of Goldcrests near Gallagher's Underpass - the first time I've had them here.

What should have been a short cycle to Bradbourne House, East Malling at lunchtime turned into a nightmare as I developed another puncture.  Discarding my bike in the hedge (!) I carried on on foot.  Walking through a plot of head height Miscanthus I disturbed 6x Pheasants a couple of Dunnocks and probably a few rodents telling by the speed at which a Kestrel appeared from nowhere!  20+ Linnets were still feeding on the weedy area alongside the track to Park Farm. 

At Bradbourne Lake I noted a single Pochard, but not the nasal ringed bird, 1x Tufted Duck (not regular here) and 10x Gadwall (a high count for this site). 

A GS Woodpecker, Mistle Thrush, 2x Greenfinch and a Jay all added some interest along the tree line.  Mike Easterbrook was spotted on the other side of the lake and inadvertently flushed a couple of Lapwing my way - they settled down on the pavillion field with three others amongst a flock of Black-headed and Common Gull (x10).  Three Snipe took flight as we walked towards the stream.  Walking back along the norethern edge of the lake, and meeting Sue, we picked out 4x Little Grebe and Grey Wagtail and had the briefest of views of a Sparrowhawk speeding low through the trees.

Friday 26th November 2010

Track at northern perimeter of Oaken Wood, looking west.  The Redpoll flock are frequenting the silver birches on the right of the photo.

Cold, very cold this morning.  I detoured off my usual route into work to check out the northern perimeter of Oaken Wood in the hope of adding either Coal  or Marsh Tit to tetrad TQ75C (Oaken Wood).  I failed to find either species but not noticed a small charm of Goldfinches feeding in the band of silver birches just to the west of Gallagher's Gallop (cTQ718559), number 34 for the tetrad.  Then, from no where 40+ Redpolls took to the air, calling distinctly as they looped back on themselves and into the trees nearest the gallop.  I could see them flitting around and feeding but they were too distant and I'd run out of time to try and identify them all.....a job that would have to wait until my lunch break.

Cycling down past Kiln Barn Farm I noticed the dead Badger that I'd discovered on Wednesday had gone - too close to cattle to be left I guess.

Back out looking for Redpolls at lunchtime and the flock was quickly refound in it's original location.  They were quite well dispersed amongst the birches and I only managed to pick out 10 individuals, all Lessers as far I as could make out, before the flock took to the air and I counted 42 birds, by far and away the largest flock I've had on patch.  A couple of Bullfinches lisped nearby and a Kestrel was mobbed first by Crows but then by Rooks as it flew over.   On the nearby gallop pasture were a mix of Wood Pigeon, Stock Dove (x11), Crows, Rooks and Jackdaws, but unfortunately all just over the tetrad line -  three of those species are needed for TQ75C on  BTO winter atlas.  I took the track around the northern perimeter of Oaken Wood and then past Luckhurst Farm and back down Sweets Lane to the Research Station.  I added Redwing (x3), Fieldfare (x9) and Jay the day list but didn't find the hoped for Skylark or Linnet that I thought I'd find at or near the Sweets Lane Stables.

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!

Wednesday 27th January

Hard frost this morning, the puddles en route to work had developed rings! Seven Lesser Redpolls had returned to the Silver Birch in South Street, Barming - now into their 2nd month. Otherwise things were pretty quite, with just a Jay and Green Woodpecker by the Pea Field stadning out against the frosty scene.

Monday 25th January

Spent lunchtime on a short training run around East Malling/Barming Woods. 12x Stock Dove seen on Gallagher's Gallop field, and then a couple of Voleries of Bullfinch (2, 3) and a small Gallup of Lesser Redpolls in an area I've not recorded these species before. So my fitness levels and the BTO Atlas both benefit from that little trip out!

Tuesday 19th January

Thick mist hung over Barming this morning, no sign of the Redpolls in the South Street Silver Birch, they've not been seen since the cold snap subsided. Four Bullfinches lit up the hedgrow by the Water Tower just off North Street, but my attention was drawn to a raptor flying high, north over Gallagher's Gallop. Initially I put it down to a high flying Sparrowhawk which I often see in the area, but this certainly looked bigger and seemed to have a longer, narrower wing. The wingbeats were continous, no flap-flap-glides. To my eyes it looked like a Harrier which would be a patch tick, but it contnued north, and away from me....another one that got away!

Only a very quick visit to Ditton Quarry today, but managed to locate a handsome male Lesser Redpoll. Masses of Chaffinches drinking and feeding near the Kiln Barn Road entrance to the research station, but despite my best efforts I couldn't turn one of them into a Brambling. A couple of Green Woodpeckers and 150+ Fieldfares on the orchard next the entrance track. A few Redwings were also seen but their numbers have dropped dramatically since the thaw.

Friday 8th January

I've been confined to the house since Tuesday, looking after my wife who's recovering from an op, and also my boys as their school has been closed since Thursday. Garden watching it was, but despite the garden feeders being full and a plentiful supply of fresh water being provided the garden seems pretty much deserted. Perhaps the birds are finding easier pickings elsewhere or maybe some of them have perished (where have 'my' Coal Tits gone)? After exceptionally heavy snow first thing (when one chap skied down South Street!) I was pleased at least to see 5x Greenfinch feeding in the Field Maples at the back on my garden, my peak count this winter has been 2, much reduced from the 25+ I've had in previous years. These are the trees that were frequented by the Hawfinches in recent years, and they were often associating with the Greenfinch flock - fingers crossed!

This afternoon was spent sledging off Church Lane, Barming. Where the sledging slope had been worn down to grass I was suprised to see a Meadow Pipit and Robin, dodging the sledges to pick at whatever had been churned up. Nine plus Lesser Redpoll were also still feeding in a Silver Birch in South Street, Barming.

Icicles outside my lad's bedroom window have grown massively in the last two days - sorry for another photo, just fascinated by them, and this in the first winter my eldest boy has seen them (he's now six!).

Monday 4th January

Back to work, a lovely walk in though the sparkling snow, just a light dusting today covering the main laboratory building. Eight Lesser Redpolls were seen in the Silver Birch at the top of South Street, Barming and another two were in a tree at the back of The Redstart, North Street, Barming. A Black-headed Gull sat on one of the Oast House cowls on Heath Road. Nothing else out of the ordinary. I walked out to East Malling Church at lunchtime. JC was out with his mist nets and I caught up with him by Great East where he told me he'd not caught too much. The first photos shows where he had his nets, the second shows the orchard where he hadn't (I can count at least 70 Redwing in this shot)!

a) Where NOT to set up nets

b) Where to set up nets!

After being regaled with some of John's medical history, I moved onto the Genebank at the back of the Church and caught sight of a Weasel shooting across the footpath. I followed him down into the orchard where he was quite inquisitive and let me take some pics on him - cute little thing...well unless you're a rabbit!

Tuesday 15th December

A hard frost last night and an excellent day to walk into work...but my wife woreked nights last night so I had to drop the kids of at school/nursery in the car. The orchards were looking an absolute picture, neatly frosted, the morning sun just glinting off the apples. Needless to say the orchard floor was alive with Chaffinches and Fieldfares.

I met up with Phil Sharp (http://sharpbynature.blogspot.com/) at lunchtime, hoping to connect with some Redpolls over Ditton Quarry. When I arrived Phil was already there, fresh but slightly chilled by an a walk around New Hythe. We set off for the wooded area in the SW corner and quickly connected with a couple of Lesser Redpolls. More were found, with Goldfinches in the Alders, and eventually a putative Mealy Redpoll in an Alder with the sun directly behind it! There were a number of Lessers in the same tree, the views were a little challenging, but the clean rose-pink breast, lack of 'buff waistcoat' and grey/pale cheeks gave me the confidence to call Common. Phil was happy, but I wanted better views! The Quarry was bathed in lovely crisp light, but were in the shade looking into the sun. I knew good views could be had if only we could get the 'right side' of the birds, but this was going to time, but I had to leave to get back to work. Good to catch up with Phil though....the Quarry can be a lonely patch!

Monday 14th December

Lots of Song Thrushes around at the moment, with my first in the garden since the Spring this morning, and another three (one singing) on my walk into work. Eight Common Gulls were among 23 Herring Gulls and 90+ Fieldfares on the pasture near Kiln Barn Farm and a couple of Pied Wagtails flitted around the barn.

Over Ditton Quarry at lunchtime I eventually connected with the Redpoll flock. They were very mobile on the Alders and interspersed with Goldfinches. I managed to see 5+ Lesser Redpoll, I'm sure the Mealy was in there were with somewhere buttime and light conspired against me and I had to get back to work before finding it! Another five Song Thrushes over the Quarry, with Jay, Bullfinch and Green Woodpecker all adding a dash of colour.

Thursday 10th December

Before work I managed a quick walk along the footpath from South Street across to Rectory Lane, Barming and up Glebe Lane and back to South Street. I was immediately taken by the numbers of Fieldfares - in the orchards alongside Rectory Lane I reckon there 500+, with Redwing, Goldfinches and Chaffinches (150+) amongst them (but again no Brambling!). There was also a large murmuration of Starlings, c250 individuals which to my great suprise contained TWO albinos! I've never seen a single albino Starling, let alone two!

Later I made my regular lunchtime visit to Ditton Quarry, as well as all the usual suspects I was pleased to relocate a small flock of Redpolls (x6). One individual immediately caught my eye, it looked paler than the other birds, and seemed to be lacking any of the 'buffish' colouration that the other birds were-could it be a Mealy? Coincidentally it was in the same Alder I had a Mealy last year, but I struggled to get to grips with this bird, and try as I might to get a view of it's rump it just wouldn't play ball. I managed some snaps before the flock got spooked by a Jay (of all things!) and flew off high south. I've posted loads of pics - any ideas?