Canons Farm - Garden watch and Guided Tour of the Farm!

My day involves a couple of hours on garden watch which has seen a number of passerines pass though my ivy clad apple tree at the end of the garden. The above was my second Blackcap in November photographed on the 27th. A female evaded the lens on the 20th (I was too slow!).

My watch of late has been made easier following some campaigning to canvas support to block proposed housing development on the garage area to the NW of my garden. My neighbours now know I conduct a daily count and pointing a camera at the apple tree from my upstairs window is not such an issue as it could have been prior to these events! I just have to be quick in securing phots as the birds don't remain in that area for long.

After my count I took another visit to Canons Farm which was back to normal almost devoid of gulls bar the odd fly over which included a Common and 1st winter Herring Gull. The Linnets were also scattered about the fields in tiny groups of fifteen to thirty birds. 

The regular passerines were busy feeding taking advantage of the sunny and wind free conditions.

A flock of Skylark 22 counted were feeding and moving across Doric field. I then took up position at the watchpoint to scan the skies and wait for any reaction from the corvids positioned in the taller trees. The result was a Kestrel a couple of Buzzard and a Sparrowhawk.

I was joined mid afternoon by Steve Gale who took me on a whistle-stop tour of the Farm. This was very useful as there were flight lines in areas I had not previously considered. As dusk rolled in we were both hopeful of seeing an Owl out on a hunt. But sadly not even a calling Little Owl could be added to the days tally. Fieldfare passing over and Skylark were noted coming into roost during our walk.

Canons Farm - More Gulls!

Canons Farm was very misty are dreary when I arrived mid morning. My plan was to follow the farmers tractor around and sift through the gulls that were taking advantage of the morsals that were churned up by the light plough en route.

Common 23 and Black Headed 162 numbers were up on yesterday with Herring 52 down by two thirds and not a Lesser Black Backed to be seen. Corvids were everywhere with Rook 3 seen today. The gamekeeper did shoot a Crow which emptied the fields of everything around lunch time! 

I changed tac locating the Linnet flock c200 and the mixed flock Chaffinch c100 and Linnet 124. The clicking was cut short on the Chaffinch as Mr Loud steamed through the field with his dogs sending both flocks skyward and into the far corner of the next field. I had reached 56 with many still to count!

I returned to the tractor mid afternoon where the majority of the Herring gull was unlike the few individuals in the morning! The farmer still has a few fields to do I wonder if the forecast of rain will drop something in!

Canons Farm - Gull Fest!

This afternoon I took another pm foray to Canons Farm to find the farmer was ploughing the fields near Canons Farmhouse. The result was a Gull, Corvid and Pigeon fest on the fields. I concentrated my efforts in this area as there was always a chance of something more interesting joining the masses!

The Gulls were represented by Herring 159, Black Headed 69, Common Gull 4 and Lesser Black Backed 4. I had a large gull fly over but the jury has returned a verdict of Lesser Black Backed. 

The bird did not join the food fest on the field but did a couple of laps from above before disappearing. The debate is always photos or scope views first! Photos can be scrutinized longer than scope views!

The Linnet flock dropped in close to my position on the hedge line. This allowed me to take a clicked head count which came to 122 birds. I did not see the mixed flock of Chaffinch and Linnet today.

I will no doubt get a Birdtrack message (Unexpected high count in London area!) in relation to Jackdaw but there were at least 300 with the Crows. Wood Pigeon and Stock Dove 76 were also well represented.

The wind was bitterly cold with face ache factor thrown in therefore I cut my losses and headed for home before dusk. 

Canons Farm - As High as a Kite! I Wish!

My birding adventures have been restricted of late having had a couple of wisdom teeth removed at St Georges Hospital Tooting. My face has looked like I had been involved in a fracas but of course everything was above board having signed the consent forms prior to the operation!

Short outings close to home are the order of the day leaving me within dashing distance of my home when my face starts aching! Canons Farm is about a ten minute drive and the fields have had plenty of passerines flitting about between the fields. 

A couple of flocks of Linnet and Chaffinch have been frequenting the fields near Canons Farmhouse so I spent some time looking through the flocks before moving over to the Viewpoint to start my sky vigil. I did not have to wait long before a Red Kite drifted into view heading towards Epsom Downs. A species that is now common in the county with several established breeding sites. 

As darkness descended I was joined by Steve Gale who had been on site from late afternoon. He picked up a couple of duck which were likely to be Mallard crossing the site. A Buzzard and a Sparrowhawk were the only other raptors seen before we exited stage left and the warmth of our cars!

I wish I was as high as that Kite as face ache is not pleasant!

Shellness Isle of Sheppey - Birthday Birding Bonanza!

The mobile Observatory hit the road with Peter Alfrey at the helm and Steve Thomas (Tank) and I as the excited school kids in the back. The destination Shellness on the Isle of Sheppey a location that is proving to be ever popular with the inhabitants! A Northeasterly blow with the chance of showers added to the expectation levels in the van.

The day did not disappoint with geese passing overhead along with Brent Geese joining the shoreline as the tide went out. The identification of the above geese is still being discussed my pictures are not good enough to show the colour of the underbelly!

More Scoter passed though as the day progressed with over 100 birds seen throughout the day. Pete’s eagle eyes also picked out a group of Red Throated Diver which I could not lock onto. 

A couple of Razorbill, Kittiwake and numerous Gannet were also noted. A tight flock of distant small gulls were also picked up by Pete late in the afternoon reported as Little Gull by other sea-watchers.

We also took a walk around the fields and scrub in the Leysdown area spying a Woodcock which was passing high and likely to be a migrant. Short eared and Barn Owl, a male and female Hen Harrier were also added to the day total along with numerous ducks that were scattered by low flying Marsh Harriers!

Oystercatchers were everywhere with Black-tailed and Bar-tailed Godwit adding to the mix of Grey Plover, Dunlin, Sanderling, Ringed Plover, Curlew and Turnstone that were scattered along the beach.

Passerines were not as numerous around the caravan sites, Stonechat and a good mix of resident birds were seen including a couple of Red-legged Partridge.

The days total had some good species on it which with a traditional fish and chip lunch thrown in making it a perfect birthday celebration for me! Woo Hoo!