Whenever I visit my old man we try to get out for a spot of birding at least once, our day this time round was a day out in search of owls and raptors at one of the best winter destinations for seeing such birds, the Isle of Sheppy.
Sheppy Birding
It was mid morning when we set out, three of us bins at the ready, a later start to the day than normal, but with owls as our quarry we would be there later, so it made sense. After driving for what always seems way too long we soon arrived on the island, crossing the high road bridge, one of a number that have been built over the years, the arch of this new crossing raising high into the Kent skies. Our first destination on the islands the car park beyond Leysdown, where we settled down to snack on our Subway's and enjoy the views over the island, such as the opening photo on this post!
As we looked out across the fields and marshes, a couple of wintering Marsh Harrier could be seen as they quartered the drainage ditches, the golden headed female slowly making her way tantalisingly close before once again drifting off into the marshes. On several fence posts Buzzard could be seen perched in anticipation, while some of my old favourites Stonechats flew between rough patches.
A quick trot up the bank and the gray seas looked stunning as the distant waves lapped up on the sandy shore. In the distance, among the ever growing skeletal figures of windmills, the shape of 7 stilted platforms could be seen looming out of the mist. The Red Sands Sea Forts, built in WWII as the first line of defence, are pretty spectacular to see.
Groins sticking out of the Sands
Red Sands Sea Forts
Seascape from Leysdown
Road to Harty Ferry
As with every trip to the Isle of Sheppy the next destination was the road to Harty Ferry, the raptor watch point set up specifically along this road, an excellent spot to scan the surrounding fields and marshes. Driving along the road the number of Buzzards and Marsh Harriers is truly staggering, with large raptors slowly drifting over the ditches or perched on posts all over. As well as these a stunning Male Kestrel gave us great views perched high on the over head wires, sitting directly above one of the balls hung to protect flying Swans.
Male Common Kestrel on Wires
The bushes along the main run up to the watch point were home to several Corn Buntings, a bird I seldom see through the year and never locally, as well as plenty of Meadow Pipits, who also gathered on the wire fences. A Pair of Stonechat flew from pillar to post as we slowly drove along the country lane, always staying a little ahead of the car or far off to the side. While in the long grass Red-legged Partridge ran, scurrying quickly between exposed spaces.A Moments excitement as one of the few Hen Harriers wintering in the area made an appearance distantly over the reeds, the ring tail clearly distinguishing the brown female, or young male, from the other dark harriers.
We decided to bypass the watch point on our first run as a local tour group was in residence filling all the benches and conversing loudly about things not always avian related.
Red-Legged Partridge
Corn Bunting
A drive up to the stunning old church and then on to look out over the Swale from the Harty Ferry pub car park, showed little return, as low tides meant only a few Shelduck and the odd flock of Brent Goose was all the birds of interest.
old Church on Sheppy (sure it has a name)
Return to the Watch Point
Returning to the raptor watch point it wasn't long before the large party moved on, maybe something I said or I smell, who knows. This left us alone to scan through the fields, picking out more Harriers, mainly Marsh but the lone Hen Harrier again at least once, plenty of Buzzard and more excitingly a very distant Crane, slowly working its way along a distant high bank.
After having our fill of the raptors we could see from here, we soon headed off towards Elmley and the nature reserve to see what thrills it held.
Buzzard on Posts
Elmley National Nature Reserve
Driving up the track it wasn't long before more raptors were soaring into sight, again Marsh Harriers and Buzzards were all around, from fence posts to the grass, muddy hills to flying effortlessly over head.
Marsh Harrier Flying Through
Rook
As we drove the road up to the car park, the amount of Lapwing who wandered the fields was quite astounding, the predator fences are clearly working well, they were joined for the most part by Starlings Jackdaw and Rooks (like the one above) as well as one lone Black-tailed Godwit who we found using its long slender bill to probe the muddy edges of the ponds and water channels.
Once we reached the area that is planted with lots of scrubby weeds and reeds, a spot that is often watched at dusk for owls, a Kestrel was perched on one of the remaining posts, a cliched image according to some (sorry dad) but a stunning one at that!
My Image of the Trip - Common Kestrel
Approaching the Car Park
As we neared the top of the newly reconfigured road to the car park, a bird was spotted on the grass, after a few moments it became clear that it was a Short Eared Owl, as we paused it took off, flying across the fields to land on the fence post. Watching in awe we nearly missed the second bird also on the grass, who again took off and flew further up the same fence line.
While attempting to get a nice photo, some people in other cars had jumped out of their vehicles to set up their long lenses, a big no no on the entrance track, and soon one of the wardens or workers came over to tell them to get back into their cars, as he approached so 3 more Short Eared Owls flew up from the fields and made their way along the fence posts before flying up and over the nearby trees and disappearing, leaving just one bird, who eventually tired of posing and joined the others heading over the same trees.
Short Eared Owl on Post
Reserve Road
With the owls having moved on, we headed into the nature reserve; Now one advantage of being with a disabled driver is that they are allowed to head into the reserve in the car (thanks to dialog between Birding For All and the reserve owners), and drive down to the distant disabled car park that has been placed by the hides.
Heading down I do always feel a little self conscious but the time saved is great, sadly there were not many birds on the fields as we drove, the huge flocks of geese and duck seemed to be elsewhere today. As we approached the hides the abundance of birds began to appear, flocks of Brent Geese were joined by Shelduck, Little Egrets stood on islands while Wigeon swam around them, out on the Swale small flocks of waders could be seen distantly scuttling along the exposed mud or flocking in flight over the water.
The Star bird was a stunning adult Peregrine picked out perched on one of the many fence posts that pepper the reserve.
Duck on the Swale
The Amazing Changing Light (this was NOT sunset!)
Looking Out over the Reserve
Birds in Flight over the Hides of Elmley NNR
Back to the Owls
With not much about and the light slowly failing, we headed back to the entrance track to set up and look out for more owls as they began their evening hunts, and as unusual as it may seem as we neared the spot that we had earlier watched Short Eared Owls from a Barn Owl was sat on the fence posts, he sat just long enough to grab a few photos before silently drifting off into the trees.
Barn Owl on Fence Post
Shocked by the ease with which we were seeing the owls we slowly drove down the track, and quickly spotted more Short Eared Owl, as a couple tussled over the rough area where earlier I had photographed Kestrel. They unfortunately didn't put on as close a show as the Kestrel, but I managed to grab a couple of photos before a Marsh Harrier came in and the three birds squabbled over the areas hunting.
Short-eared Owl in Flight
Short Eared Owl on the Ground
Dusk Flying Short-eared Owl
Having had our fill we carried on, with the odd Harrier, buzzard and now Owl hawking the skies as we drove.
Sunset
The day was coming to an end as we traveled and soon the Bridge off the island was lit beautifully by the setting sun, and image I have tried to capture, but am not fully convinced I did it justice.
setting Sun over Elmley NNR
Amazing light behind Road Bridge to Sheppy
Sunset at Elmley
The setting sun also illuminated the pools in a stunning orange light, perfect for taking beautiful images of the birds swimming.
Coot swimming at Sunset
Pools of Gold
Our final drive home was one full of joy at the wonderful birds we had seen and was accompanied by some amazing deep red sunsets, the golden light turning the landscape orange, a perfect end to a great day's birding on Sheppy.
Other Photos
The few photos that I didn't fit into the rest of the post but were still worth sharing. I hope you like them.
Kestrel
Kestrel cleaning its Feet
Industrial Kent
Cranes on Sheppy (ok not the bird type sorry)
The Old Farmhouse on Elmley Marshes
Grey Heron
Red-Legged Partridge
View over Elmley Marshes
Views to Road Bridge
Female Pheasants
High Flying Owl
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