Crossbills x3

Not being able to get to Hemstead since Wednesday I looked forward to going on Friday afternoon. As we approached the gateway there were so many cars parked along the roadside that we decided to go down to,the next gateway, which was empty, and walk in from there. We saw a goldcrest and heard a robin but no crossbills as we walked along the rides towards the clearing. Just as we got to the main ride we met DT who told us about the sightings of possibly 10 parrot crossbills, but no 2-barred, had just flown away. There were several fungi including this 'Lawyer's Wig'


Wandering down the track towards the crowds of people standing around we waited for an hour or so, chatting and catching up with the gossip as different groups of common crossbills flew around, the largest group numbering about 40, before news came that the 2-barred had been seen flying into the forest from the other side of the trees. We decided to stay and wait for the flock to work it's way through and soon a small flock of crossbills flew around, alighting in fir tree tops and the oak tree and then a 2- barred crossbill was located in the trees to the left of the entrance track. Good scope views but no chance for a photograph, even moving closer. It was sighted a few times after that and heard flying over among a flock of about 40 common crossbills.





A small group of crossbills flew to the western edge of the clearing and these proved to be 5 parrot crossbills which spent a little while ripping cones off the trees and tearing them to pieces before flying back towards the trees above the drinking pool but couldn't be re-located.
When I got home and checked my pictures I found that I had managed to catch the 2-barred in flight, not the best picture I've ever taken.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Some you win and some you lose.

Only 3 moths in the trap Monday night and 2 last night, even if one was a Silver Y, mean that it will soon be time to put it away for the winter.
A call from DW had us heading to Dungeness in the hope that the Yellow-browed warbler which had been trapped and ringed would still be about. Unfortunately it wasn't seen again but another one was found in the light house garden so I drove round to see if I could see it. I arrived as it had flown into the research station gardens but it popped up on a wire before flying into the trees, over into the garden and then back to the lighthouse.

As we were trying to relocate it a call told us about a Red-breasted flycatcher in the trapping area so we returned to the obs and then headed out towards net site 14. The flycatcher was seen very briefly several times moving through the bushes but all I saw was a sun lit tail disappearing into the foliage.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

A New moth

The numbers of moths in the trap have been dropping rapidly but there have been some interesting moths for the year. Angleshades, Autumnal Rustic, Vapourer, Barred Sallow, Green-brindled Crescent, Cypress Carpet, Red-lined Quaker and Large Wainscot. Migrant activity came with a Vestal and, new for the trap, a Four-spotted Footman.


Bordered Sallow

Cypress Carpet



Green-brindled Crescent



Vestal

Vapourer

Red-lined Quaker

Four-spotted Footman

Large Wainscot
 

Hemsted for Crossbills

The moth trap has been very thin over the last few days - Angleshades, Large Yellow Underwing, Red-lined Quaker and a Large Wainscot.
Following the news that there was a 2-barred crossbill in Hemsted with a small flock of crossbills we decided to go for a walk to look for it. It was a nice morning which got warmer as we wandered round the paths and tracks. There were a few late flowers, Ragwort and Scabious and berries and Sweet Chestnut as well as the leaves beginning to turn.

There were Robins ticking and singing in many of the bushes, with several Great Spot Woodpeckers and a tit flock with Blue-tits, Longtailed Tits, a couple of Chiffchaffs and a Goldcrest. In one stand of conifers there were at least 12 Song thrushes with a couple of Blackbirds moving through but no sign of any crossbills.

A Real Ring Ouzel Day

An early start in anticipation of an interesting day, with a drive across the marsh not showing much activity. Arriving at the observatory I flushed several Song Thrushes and a Ring Ouzel as I drove over the moat. Then I wandered out across the shingle where there were small flocks of Ring Ouzels and Redwing, flying around and dropping in to feed.
A call from Patrick and I returned to the obs to see a Ring Ouzel in the hand, one of my favourite birds. I really love the delicate fringing of the feathers which gives it it's 'frosted' look.



Most of the day was spent wandering round the desert and trapping area trying to get good shots of the birds but they were very flighty, making photography quiets difficult. The interesting thing was that most of the birds were concentrated on the south side of the trapping area, with a few venturing into the edges of the willow where there were bramble bushes to feed on. Although several flew backwards and forwards from the area beside the long pits.
As well as all these thrushes there were small groups of Brambling, a few chiffchaffs, numbers of which built up in the afternoon, robins and a couple of swallows. Taking advantage of the warm sun was a dragonfly and quite a few Small Coppers.



Towards the end of the day several large flocks of Brent Geese passed high overhead, taking the cross country route south.



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Cranefly nightmare

Following a night of thunderstorms and rain the moth trap held few moths but an amazing collection of craneflies, there must have been 100s all mixed up and dangly, not my favourite creature in small numbers! Where's the hungry Robin went you need it?



It was nice to get a Bordered Sallow among the Lunar and Large Yellow Underwings.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Railway walk

The moth trap held a record breaking 120 Lunar Underwings with a total of 146 moths of 9 species, more than any other night of the year.
I had to go into town this afternoon so I decided to walk back along the old railway line. It's nice to see the difference as the season progresses. The Oak trees are looking tired and there are increasing bright spots with hips, haws and rowan berries ripening along the track. A Speckled Wood fluttered along keeping me company for a short spell and a young frog hopped across in front of me. I also spotted this shield bug which, I think, is a Dock leaf shield bug. (taken with my iPhone)

Otherwise it was very quiet with 1 chiffchaff and 3 robins along the whole 1+ mile walk.