Razorbills, Choughs and Seabirds on Skomer

Posted on 11th May 2017 by Richard

Beside going to Skomer to see the birds and other wildlife, visiting at this time of the year affords you a glorious array of Bluebells. Those who may have thought these flowers are for woodland only – you are mistaken, a huge carpet covers much of the Island.

The one thing that often surpises us is where birds decide to nest and on Skomer, as soon as you get off the boat, the path takes you to within about 5 meters of a Razorbills nest ! Having only seen them from afar before, the sharpness and clarity of their pattern is unique..

The nice thing about seeing Choughs, for me the first time, is they only reside on the west coats of Wales, lower western Scotland and Ireland, plus the fact there are only some 300 odd pairs in the Country, a bonus.
I saw five following each other around on the northern part of Skomer. At first sight they can obviously be mistaken for Vlackbirds or Crows from afar, but getting closer to them you catch the glimpse of their distinctive red beaks and feet.
Black birds are always a problem to photograph, but I managed a few all be it not the best!

Beside that, where do you start. Beside the more common smaller birds there’s much more on show; Guillemots, Kittiwakes, Shags, Fulmers and many Predators..

Raven – Fulmer – Barrel Jelly Fish (real whopper!)

Skomer is owned and run by the Pembrokeshire Wildlife Trust. You can buy a limited amount of Snacks and Drinks at the Shop there, but if visiting for the full five hours or so, I suggest taking a packed lunch. For more details go to their Website

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Sunny day at Dungeness

Posted on 18th January 2017 by Richard

I arrived at RSPB Dungeness at 0945., clear, sunny, no wind and zero degrees.
Earler I had ensured I had ample clothing; on top I had 2 T-Shirts, 2 Jumpers, a Shirt and my thick 100% Wool Nepalese Jacket.
After about 200 meters, I was too hot !

Meadow Pipit

I started off with a quick look to see if the two Long Eared Owls were giving everyone a show, neither of them did so I wandered off around the Hides, made my way to the Viewpoint and headed back.
It was nice as unlike my last few visits smaller birds were appearing; a male and female Stonechat were busy amongst the Gorse between the Christmas and Dengemarsh Hides, this was followed by a nice pose from a male Chaffinch perched in the bushes. In fact, there were probably 20 plus there.

Male and Female Stonechat

Next stop would be the Beach by the Power Station, but as I was getting in the Car, a Greenfinch appeared just opposite.
Not only were there quite a number of small birds around but many Humans as well, the most I’ve seen there since last Autumn.
Shame is that speaking to some it seemed they were there to see the Owls and the Ringed Neck Duck. At least they saw the latter who is still displaying well at Boulderwall.
No sign of the Slavonian Grebes on the New Diggings.

Meadow Pipit on wall at Dungeness Power Station

Meadow Pipit not in Meadow! – Early morning on Reserve – Greenfinch

I parked up at my usual spot beside the Old Dungeness Lighthouse and before enjoying a Roll and brew up, looked at the Garden. Nothing to be seen but even in this cold cold weather, there are still Bumble Bees flying there.

Male Chaffinch

Onward to the Beach. I walked up to where the Nuclear Station waste water is pumped into the sea which attracts literally hundreds of Gulls weaving and ducking. With three others I searched for the Icelandic Gulls which arrived two days previous, but I’m afraid our eyes could not keep up with them.
I took lots of photos to bring home and expand on the larger screen, but couldn’t pick them out.

Some of the hundreds of Gulls around the Point</center>

On my way back to the Car, a Meadow Pipit started jumping up and down on the Power Station Wall. Most obliging it was too and I managed to get a few half decent shots.

Other than that, there were two Great White Egrets at the ARC and a Sparrowhawk beautifully posed on a dead tree which, naturally, flew off just as I clicked. A nice close up of a branch and blue sky though !

A quiet day at Dungeness

Posted on 10th January 2017 by Richard

As with any great birdwatching place, Dungeness can often be a little hit and miss and today, for me anyway, was one of those days.

I started off at RSPB in hope of getting a photograph of the now two Long Eared Owls. Needless to say, not even one was there!
Rather than doing my usual circuit of the main Reserve area I headed off to the Beach, again quiet although it was interesting to see there are still Bumble Bees flying around the hedgerow at the old Lighthouse Garden.
However, it gave me a chance of capturing a few Gulls all be it not seeing the Caspian Gulls which are there or thereabouts of late.

At the Reserve I’d bumped into the Warden of the BTO Observatory which reminded me I owed them money for this years ‘Friends’ Membership so I popped in there to pay up.
This gave me a chance to see if I’d missed anything on my journeys, I hadn’t apparently, a quiet day by all.

After this I went along to the Kerton Road area to see if I could spot the rare Stejneger’s Stonechat, couldn’t find him or her either. Oh dear !
A quick walk along the ARC did produce a photo of a Great White Egret.
It was then on to Scotney Farm where I thought at least I’d see the Little Owl which is present virtually daily, wasn’t there either!

I took the Walland Marsh route back home and at least got a photograph of a Kestrel posing quite nicely on top of a telegraph pole.

Maybe not a successful bird watching day, but the sun shone for most of the time and I convinced myself the fresh air did me good!

Wildlife Diary

Recording wild life through the year around Hampshire, Kent and elsewhere

Tag Archives: Gulls

Razorbills, Choughs and Seabirds on Skomer

Sunny day at Dungeness

A quiet day at Dungeness