Friday 11 April 2014

KL patching again (6-8th April)

6th April

After dipping the long-staying Baikal by less than a day I decided to remedy the situation by getting back out on patch.  Scatterdells was my chosen location and it was admittedly rather slow going but 2 Marsh Tits did perk up my spirits as did the ever present Red Kites, Buzzards and Sparrowhawk.  I also found signs of probable breeding Stock Doves.

7th April

Walk behind the RSSSKL with Ephraim and Theo produceed 1 Lapwing, a couple of Skylarks and the highlight a single 2CY male Wheatear (a scarce but increasingly noted patch migrant).

8th April

Out again with my brother, this time we struck patch gold.  To be precise 42 Golden Plover!!!  A patch tick and better still they were in their breeding plumage finery.  We watched them for a couple minutes as they headed in the general direction of Chipperfield before they started moving purposefully away from us and out of sight over the horizon, absolutely thrilling for the both of us!

1 Lapwing was the only other species of note on the farmland before we headed down to the canal and KL Fisheries.  Once again the Cetti's Warbler showed itself (albeit briefly) and despite getting a couple half decent views I only managed to get a dirty smudge with my digital compact camera which is supposed to represent the bird.

Cetti's Warbler (the dark smudge in the centre)

A pair of Great Crested Grebes have also set themselves up on the small island on Gaywood Fishery with a second pair (and a third lingering bird) on KLF.  We also saw our first Green-veined Whites of the year (including a mating pair!) along with a single Small White and a flypast Kingfisher and Sparrowhawk.

mating Green-veined Whites

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