A Reed Too Far

There have been a quite few Penduline Tits in Kent and this century it has been annual. Never-the-less it is still a vagrant and can be difficult to see. The one currently at Stodmarsh is extremely obliging and while I was there today it ensured that all its prospective admirers received long and good views. The Eurasian Penduline Tit is the sole European representative of a small family that has seven representatives in Africa and three (apart from this one) in Asia. In addition the Verdin from North America ans two other Asian tit-like birds are sometimes placed in the family, Remizidae. The four European and Asian species are sometimes considered a single species. The family seems to be a real headache for the taxonomists! The species has undergone a large range extension since 1950, reaching the Netherlands and N E France by 1985, although there are only a total of 2 or 300 pairs. There are much larger populations in Spain and Germany and if vagrants continue to arrive in Kent with the frequency they have over the last few years  proven breeding can't be too long in coming.

It did spend some time tuck away at the bottom of a clump of osiers while it meticulously preened, but even then it remained in view, albeit half hidden.

When it came out into the reed maces it sometimes started quite low, but normally it was visible and moved up the stems to be in good view.

While I was watching it did maintain a reasonable distance and was never in comfortable range for a frame filler, but in all honesty it was the best I've ever watched one either here or on the continent.

 If they do colonise the population is not easy to estimate as they have a polygamous mating system and they have no pair bonding.

 Although they are mainly insectivorous, and take other small invertebrates in summer I presume that they eat the small seeds when they dismantle reed-mace, as this one does so expertly.

 Although they are not the best, I've included a few more shots of this charming visitor, it might be the only chance I get, then ext one might not be so helpful.

 It seemed to spend a good time on each head, bits of fluff blowing around, betraying its whereabouts even when you lost it for a moment.

 After a while it would either move to another reed-mace or back into the osiers for a preen. I was almost as if the constant bits of fluff mean that it had to look after its feathers more frequently than other small birds.

 Where the occur on the continent their presence is often given away by the very high pitched, plaintive, far carrying "tssssseeooo" call.

 I think when it came to the top like this it was getting ready to move on the next reed mace.

This was a really big head and it got fluffed out so much that the bird more or less disappeared into the middle of it.

Flying Machines

As today was bright and sunny this morning, and forecast to remain pretty decent I decided to have a wander round Stodmarsh NNR. I started from the Grove Ferry end and immediately I was struck by two things, first how cold it was, not shorts and T-shirt weather yet, and secondly, how many Swifts there were around and although I didn't arrive until 10 am, how low they were still flying.

I've always thought that Swifts move higher to feed as it warms up and the majority of their insect prey is borne high into the air. It gave me a chance to try and photograph them, a task that I've always found extremely difficult, they move too fast for me!

When you watch them from, more or less, side on, it become obvious what fantastic flying machines they are. The streamlined body and sickle shaped wings are perfect for the fast aerial life style they have. A young Swift doesn't normally breed until it is two years old. Although some do turn up at colonies as non breeders, many stay on the wing until their second year and when they land at their chosen nest site it will be their first landing for 21 months or so!

As usual Reed Buntings were making their presence know by their attempts at a song. Often we hear programmes on the TV or radio about Britain's favourite bird song, it's always Nightingale followed by Blackbird etc. What about a poll for Britain's worst bird song? I reckon the Reed Bunting is an odds on favourite for this title.

This time of year one of the highlights of the Stour Valley and in particular Stodmarsh, is the large concentration of Hobbies that hang around for a few weeks after their arrival from Africa, before dispersing to their breeding territories. Stodmarsh is one of three such assembly sites in England. The others being at Shapwick Heath in Somerset, and Lakenheath in Suffolk.

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They are always worth watching and another fantastic flying machine capable of picking insects out of the air, transferring them from claw to bill as they elegantly hunt over the marsh and reed beds. Today there were around thirty or so feeding in the afternoon and the flock held a surprise for us. When I entered the marsh hide I was told by the two occupants that they'd just seen a male Red-footed Falcon at the far side of the marsh, resting on a pile of wood, but that it had just flown off. We informed the small group of birders who were photographing the Hobbies that were hunting over the reed bed looking towards Lampden Wall and I joined Steve Ray in a search through the Hobbies in view. After about a frustrating ten minutes (it's difficult to see them well looking in to the light), Steve alerted me to a bird flying right at the back of the reed bed. As it came in front of some tree the whole of the underside was visible and and from that distance it looked more or less uniformly slate grey, including the face and under-wings. It continued in the direction it was flying, through the trees and despite spending the next two and a half hours searching through the Hobbies I didn't see the bird again. We didn't get any photos of the bird, but we both had no doubt that it was an adult Red-foot.

While this excitement was going on a Cuckoo was playing a cruel game with me. It would perch up at a distance, and as soon as I got a bit interested in it, off it would go, further away and out of sight, only to return later and play the same trick again. I thing Steve Ashton must have got himself a tame bird to get the fantastic photos on his blog!

The Hobbies were not the only birds of prey around. I managed to miss two Red Kites but was content to watch several Marsh Harriers, sometimes over the reeds and sometimes flying very high.

For a big, butch bird of prey they have the most peculiar call when they are displaying in the air, sounding a bit like one of the Little Owl calls.

This male has a rather dark body, which may indicate that it is a young adult of around three years old, although some books describe it as a dark variant.

 At one time there were two, probably a pair, of Marsh Harriers high over the Stodmarsh end of the reserve, having a go at a Common Buzzard soaring over the area. A sight that one couldn't have dreamed of a few years ago.

From the Feast hide there were a few Tufted ducks and this gave the opportunity of another portrait of this handsome drake.

I though this pair, looking bright eyed and bushy tailed were rather handsome.

 

 Back in the garden the first babies of the year have appeared. I've always found young Starlings amusing. I like the determination they show to attract the adult to feed them. They are very persistent and must be hard to ignore.

 
 I'm not sure whether this family are from the roof or the "hole" nest in a tree in the front garden.

Well, it's only a hobby

Those people who don't have the "birding" obsession probably think of it as "just a hobby". Any one married or the partner of a birder will realise the vast under statement that this is!

The build up of Hobbies in the Stour Valley during the period of the end of April through May can be spectacular and the photos from the Grove Ferry regulars in the last week or so have been fabulous.

Rather than just visit the Grove Ferry end of the Stodmarsh NNR I parked at Stodmarsh and walked from there. The foot path passes through some great habitat and eventually arrives at the Marsh Hide. Nothing of great value here, some very noisy Greylags, belligerent Shelducks intent on chasing of Tufted Ducks and a Little Egret feeding in front of the hide.

As the clouds gave way to some weak sunshine Hobbies could be seen distantly hunting over the marsh. At this time of year there probably aren't enough Dragonflies to keep then satisfied, but the air is full of St Marks flies and these probably are a major part of their diet. I bumped into David Feast (the former warden), and it was from "his" eponymous hide that I got some fabulous views of the Hobbies as the patrolled the air over the reed beds.

When there were no Hobbies to see there were Cetti's, Reed and Sedge Warblers to listen to and a pair of stunning Great Crested Grebes to watch as they gently courted, no full blooded displaying today.

Every now and again a Hobby, or at times several Hobbies, came quite close to the hide and at times it was possible to make out that they had caught larger prey.

Although there were quite a few butterflies around there was no repeat of the Painted Lady slaughter I witnessed one morning at St Margaret's in May 2009.

As well as the Grebes a handsome pair of Pochards was feeding right in front of the hide. The female was very active, continually diving.

The male, on the other hand spent much of the time sleeping, but did wake up for his photo opportunity.

I continued to snap away at the Hobbies, and thoroughly enjoyed watching their energetic acrobatics in the air.

I did look at each of the hunting Falcons carefully, and although there was a Kestrel in the air with then at one time there was no sign any a Red-footed Falcon, always on the wish list in spring when watching Hobbies at Stodmarsh.

A Hairy Beast.

The cloudy skies around St Margaret's persuaded me to move inland a few miles to find the summer day that was being promised on the weather forecast. At Stodmarsh I found it. It was by far the warmest day of the year. There were a few Hobbies to be seen over the marsh and a Cuckoo was calling from near the car park, but annoying never within range for a photograph. The woodland was alive with the sound of warblers, with several Garden Warblers, singing in a small area, competing with each other and a couple of Blackcaps. In addition a Chiffchaff was monotonously repeating its name. There seemed to be a good number of Cetti's Warblers, so hopefully the cold weather hasn't had too much of an effect on the population.

Along the path I had brief views of a Dragonfly flying among the trees. A nearby bench, was conveniently placed. While I sat and soaked in the sun, I watched a Wren doing much the same thing. It sat on a tree stump and appeared to almost lie down while it spread it's feathers out. Something must have disturbed it an it dived off into the undergrowth.

A wet retriever, gave me a quick shower, and alerted me to the arrival of the Saganauts, on a trip out from their rest home. While we discussed the state of the world, a male Marsh Harrier circled high over our heads. The dragonfly, a medium sized Hawker, returned and Terry Laws ( a trainee Saganaut) pointed it out to me perched not far away.

The only Hawker flying at this time of year is The Hairy Dragonfly, or Hairy Hawker, Brachytron pratense. They are on the wing as early as mid April, but more normally May, and can be seen until the middle of July. It is the UK's smallest Hawker, and is widespread, but uncommon throughout England, Wales and Ireland, but it is rare in Scotland. In Kent it is most common in the area of the north Kent marshes, and along the principle rivers.

Although the wings on the left side it wasn't until I looked closely at the photos that I could see that both wings had a strange deformity. I almost looked as if someone had stitched up a hole in each wing. I suppose that some damage had occurred as it emerged or while the wings were still wet. It has a distinctly hairy thorax that can be seen on the photos.

The male has blue oval spots on each abdominal segment and a long , thin pterostigma. I will have to have another try to find a female and a more "perfect" male

Champions

Kent needed just 45 runs this morning to secure the first place in Division two and duly got them when Van Jaarsveld pushed a single to bring up 250 and the second bonus batting point. Kent went on to get 453.

I must say it was a cold and blustery day, and somehow, now that the championship was won, there didn't seem a huge amount of urgency in the Kent work in the field when Leicester batted again.

The three bowlers who had taken wickets in the first innings all bowled but with out any luck. Simon Cook, who had taken 5-44 to help earn the bowling points was economical and bowled 13 overs for just 24 runs after tea.

Amjad Khan was lively and after his 4-46, in the first innings, ended on none for 17 off six overs.

Ryan McLaren took the other first innings wicket (1-22) but ex-Kent player Paul Nixon and Mat Boyce were unbeaten at the close on 97.

As there was still an hour or so of light I decided to pop into Stodmarsh (no news of the Tufted Puffin today).

I walked out to the Reed bed hide for a quiet sit and watch few minutes. Green Sandpipers seem to be everywhere this autumn at this evening was no exception with three in an out of the pool, nosily calling as the flew to the next feeding area.

Groups of Teal dabbled frantically, staying for a few minutes and then departing for no apparent reason before returning or being replaced by the next group. You can see the nictating membrane covering the eye of the bird above as it feeds.

Distant Marsh harriers were on show much of the time, but the frantic alarm of a Green Sandpiper mad me look up, in time to see a female or juvenile that had just passed right over the hide.

The Grey Heron that was slowly stalking round the pool was completely unperturbed by the Harrier, but it did give it a passing glance.