First stop though was the river, so I parked up near Snodland Church/Train station, and set about scanning the river, the tide was on the rise and all I could see were a few Black headed Gulls, a pair of Teal, and 1 Lapwing. Then a flock of approx. 30 to 40 Lapwing took flight from some distance away. I was now ready to go to Brooklands lake, when I saw 2 birds fly right over me, circle around, and land on the other side of the river bank. I just managed to get a poor long range shot of one of them, then they flew off in the same direction as I was heading. I couldn't be sure, but it looked like a pair of Green Sandpipers to me?
I parked up in Brooklands car park, but headed up Streamside then continued to Streamside lake, on the way I noted/photographed Grey Wagtail, flock of Siskin, Tufted, Mallard, Coot, Canada Geese, Goosander, Shoveler, Cormorant, Redwing, Magpie, Wren, Robin, flock of Goldfinches.
Made my way back to the car park, had a quick drink/banana, then onto Brooklands Lake, I got as far as the other side of the train tunnel, then down came the rain, so I didnt quite get to my intended destination after all, maybe next time? when the weather is more favourable perhaps.
I made the best of it though, and here are the photo highlights.
I believe this to be one of the two Green Sandpipers? seen on the river, but as always, I'm open for correction, if I've got this wrong? I will certainly not be offended if this is the case? It was very poor light, and a vast distance from me too.
Grey Wagtail(female?)seemed cheerful, despite the cold, damp conditions.
The flock of Siskins were going from treetop to treetop, across the other side of Streamside, so photos are poor quality, and rather cropped/edited!!! I think the Males showed up the best.
Cormorants and Shoveler in the background.
The Goosander was as ever being shy, and swam off a fair distance, but gave me some nice pics anyway.
Then just as I went through the train tunnel, I spotted one of the Goldfinches, and look what the sign reads in the background! I almost made it, but for the rain!!!
Certainly is Green Sandpiper, Paul. Well done.
ReplyDeleteLike the Goldfinch shot, with the sign in the background.
Haven't managed to get Green Sandpiper or Grey Wag at New hythe yet this year. Nice Goosander pics!
ReplyDeleteHi Paul,yes Greensand,nice pics of Goosander and Siskins.
ReplyDeleteYou did well with the photo's paul, given the poor light. Especially the Siskins :-)
ReplyDeletePS let me know if you see anything of the Hadlow Peregrines
Nice Grey Wag and Goldfinch photos Paul - think that Green sand needs one of my arrows hovering over it! Keep it up.
ReplyDeleteAdam
Hi Dean, thanks for confirming that mate, I had(approx. a month ago) spent a good hour at Mote Park observing a Green Sandpiper up close, but I still wasn't a 100% sure.
ReplyDeleteHi Phil, Cheers for that, I guess it was sods law then, me just visiting your area and finding both those birds, Im sure if you came to my church patch, you would probably find some birds that I have yet to see too, that being sods law for us, cheers.
ReplyDeleteHi Alan, thanks for that, that being only the 2nd time Ive seen a Green Sandpiper.
ReplyDeleteThe Siskin photos were a bit of a challenge too, but the Goosander was a bit easier.
Hi Warren, thanks, I had to take about 20 shots of the Siskins, because it was hard trying to actually see them!
ReplyDeleteI will keep my eyes firmly peeled for those Peregrines, if they should decide to come to the Church, although the Buzzards and Kestrels here might not like to see them!
Hi Adam, cheers mate, I did think about adding one of your "stylee arrows" to show were it was in the pic, but I know how sharp eyed you guys are when it comes to your birds, so I knew you would find it.
ReplyDeleteNice Goldfinch photo! Its amazing how bright the yellow on a Grey Wag shines on a dull day isn't it?!!!
ReplyDeleteHi Simon, cheers for that. I admit to upping the contrast slightly for the Wagtail(I must have took 20 shots of it on that day, but that one was the best) but your right about their yellow brightness, they are beautiful birds. Last year at Clare Park lake, I took some lovely photos of adult Grey Wagtails feeding their young, I just hope they are there again this summer.
ReplyDelete