Lesser Redpolls on Boxing Day

Paul had 12 Lesser Redpolls on his nijer feeders in his garden in Surrey today.

The ringed Herring Gull seen at Newhaven on 9th November 2009 ....

I have just received the following message with regard to the ringed first-winter Herring Gull seen at Newhaven Quay on the 9th November 2009. (click here to read original post)
My thanks to Richard Thompson for the information.

"I manage an RSPCA wildlife centre and we release back to the wild previously sick, injured and orphaned wildlife, many of which are gulls.

I have released nearly 3,000 gulls over the last 12 years and darvic ringed over 2,000 Larus argentatus, 150 fuscus, 30 marinus and one michahellis.

All birds are released from Pett Level, East Sussex 50:55N. 00:42E.

A6JF, GC69820: This bird was admitted as a small nestling and was in the centre for 53 days. It was released 3rd August 2009. It has been out now for 96 days.

This is the first time this bird has been seen.

Sorry for the delay in my reply.

Richard Thompson"

RSPB Pulborough Brooks ... 14th December 2009

Paul had to make a trip to Hampshire today and couldn't resist dropping in at the Pulborough Brooks reserve on the way where he managed to add Bewick's Swan to his year list.
Six adults and one juvenile were present and Paul witnessed a Kestrel pluck a vole from the water's surface and fly off with it.

A large herd of deer were present ...................

........... apparently dark-morphed Fallow Deer.

RSPB Dungeness ... 11th December 2009

On arrival, in cold and very misty conditions, we headed straight for the Hanson-ARC Pit and the shelter of the hide but, apart from plenty of Shovelers, Wigeon and Teal, the only bird of note was a female Goldeneye. We left the car in the ARC car park and walked to the main reserve.
Along the access track we flushed 2 Red-legged Partridges and a female Marsh Harrier was hunting in the distance.
Burrowes Pit was rather disappointing as, apart from numerous Gadwall, Wigeon and Teal, the only noteable birds were another female Goldeneye and about 10 Pintail. We headed on to Christmas Dell hide, where there had been reports of Smew and Bittern yesterday - nothing!
Beginning to feel that we had picked the wrong day for a visit, we ventured on to Dengemarsh Hide where, fortunately, things started to look up.
Three Black-necked Grebes and the long-staying Great White Egret were showing well whilst 3 female Marsh Harriers kept the wildfowl flighty. Also, a female Sparrowhawk flew low over the reeds. One Black-necked Grebe swam close to the hide but proved very difficult to photograph as it continually dived, remaining on the surface for only seconds at a time.


GREAT WHITE EGRET (Graham)


BLACK-NECKED GREBE (Paul)


BLACK-NECKED GREBE (Paul)


BLACK-NECKED GREBE (Graham)


BLACK-NECKED GREBE (Graham)


MARSH HARRIER (Graham)

At the viewing ramp at Hookers Pit, 6 Bearded Tits appeared at the top of the reeds which was surprising due to the windy conditions and a male Marsh Harrier passed by. A Cetti's Warbler actually showed itself for a few seconds and several others were heard around the reserve. The two Glossy Ibises were in the fields near Boulderwall Farm and a Tree Sparrow perched briefly on a bush near to the main entrance gate to the reserve.


GLOSSY IBISES (Graham)

On our way back to the Hanson-ARC hide, 2 Peregrines put the Lapwing flock into a panic and from the hide we spotted a male Goldeneye.


GOLDENEYE (Paul)


WIGEON, TEAL & LAPWING (Paul)

A last effort from the viewing screen at the Hanson-ARC Pit produced another male Goldeneye and a strangely plumaged Lapwing.


Oddly-plumaged LAPWING (Graham)


Oddly-plumaged LAPWING (Paul)

We both added Black-necked Grebe to our year lists, so it had been worth the trip.

Paul & Graham