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Monday 30 April 2012

Monday 30.04.12 NHGP

Nightingale survey with Phil S today 6.30 -9.30 . 16 singing Nightingales Brooklands via Mill Stream to country park Brookhouse entrance East and West Scrub return by Railway lake. A call from AW informed us of Ring Ouzel nearby at East Malling but unable to locate in the 10 minutes I was there .

Sunday 29 April 2012

Sunday 29.04.12 NHGP

After a night of storms and a morning of torrential rain the afternoon brightened up so a 4-5 pm walk.
All the Hirundines were present so the First House Martin and Swift for NHGP.
A quick search for Sedge Warbler proved fruitless. Although Kingfishers are regular seeing 3 today was unusual and a pleasure in such a short time.

Saturday 28.04.12 NHGP

6.30AM-9.00AM
Met Phil at Brooklands car park for the Nightingale survey as it was pouring with rain decided not to do the NHGP sector but decided a quick trip to Halling .A walk along the Halling marsh only produced 2 nightingales and other than a Common Sandpiper little else calling in the gloom.
A quick visit to check out local Spotted Fly and LRP sights showed the pace of change. Spot Fly location has had all Wisteria removed so that will be the end of that. The LRP quarry has now been filled in and is a planted field .

Sunday 22 April 2012

Sunday 22.04.12 NHGP

6.30AM -9AM . A lovely morning if a bit cold out to try and get Cuckoo and House Martin .
Stopped at Allders for Hirundines and found none but a Cuckoo calling over the noise of the Boot Fair. On to Holborough where I heard and saw another cuckoo,  to Brooklands and a flyover pair of Oystercatchers Making NHGP list 90. A further Cuckoo was heard from the Path round the sunken marsh. The numbers of singing Nightingales need to be heard to be believed. Plenty of Reed Warblers with the Black caps / Chiff Chaff/ Willow Warblers today. For the second day only one hirundine a swallow.
APPLE BLOSSOM TIME ( James Grieve)

Saturday 21 April 2012

Saturday 21.04.12 NHGP

7.30- 9.30 Started a Allders hoping for first House Martin but no luck unusually no hirondines at all.
Moved to Brookhouse many Nightingales in full song with Blackcap and Chiffchaff a stunning male bull finch made an appearance but unable to get the camera out in time , Over east scrub 2 slow worms but no Whitethroats but further Nightingale's singing.


Cross the railway to Abbey Mead and Brooklands hoping for Cuckoo but no luck. But did manage the first Whitethroat/ Willow Warbler / Reed Warbler and Linnet. Return by Tow Path did not manage to see or hear Sedge Warbler.    


Monday 9 April 2012

Monday 09.04 NHGP

7.30-8.10 am Easter Monday and raining. Nightingale was reported just before I arrived yesterday at Brookhouse entrance but it eluded me. This am after a late night vigil watching Augusta Golf visited in the very welcome rain, singing Blackcap and Chiffchaff welcomed me to the area but after a few minutes I heard a nightingale the other side of the car park. Stood under a tree for a bit of respite from the rain and suddenly the first nightingale of 2012 was in full song just above my head but out of view. Listened for 10 minutes and retreated home full of the joys of spring.

Wednesday 4 April 2012

Wednesday 03.04.12 NHGP

Now it is April thoughts turn to nightingales. So a 7.30 am arrived at Allders hoping to add more hirundines to the list but no luck so moved on to Brookhouse for spring migrants. Lots of Chiffchaff / blackcap/dunnocks/wrens in full song but no nightingales. a short walk round the scrubs also unproductive untill I found my first Water Voles of 2012.



 

Sunday 1 April 2012

Sunday 01.04.12 NHGP

A quick 8am -10.20 am 5 Swallows ( first for 2012) were at Allders but no Sand Martins here but 3 singles were seen from  the sunken Marsh. The first Slow worm of the year was found under refugea on the Eastern Scrub. Bullfinches blackcaps and chiffcahff were calling. According to another birder there was a small snatch of Willow Warbler calling on the Causeway by Sunken Marsh. Buzzards over Burham.
Beefly's in our garden