Graham and Carolyn were members of our nature walk groups for several years. We were always able to spot more species of birds when they were with us. Here is a note that I received from them:
Hello Miles –
We do enjoy all your posts on your outings, and are constantly reminded of our great times when we could join you in Toronto. Very nice to think of all the parks and changing of the seasons. I do keep up the tradition here, but not so regularly!
My birding friend Chris and I went to Rye Harbour and Dungeness yesterday. It was mostly about geese, ducks and waders. Without wishing to “crow” about it, I thought you might be interested to see our list of birds – maybe reminding you of past birding days in the UK.
Mute swan
Greylag goose
Brent goose
Canada goose
Barnacle goose
Barnacle Goose (Google images)
Snow goose
Cormorant
Marsh harrier
Greater black-backed gull
Lesser black-backed gull
Black headed gull
Herring gull
Lesser egret
Greater egret
Grey heron
Great crested grebe
Little grebe
Shelduck
Shelduck (Google Images)
Shoveller
Tufted duck
Pintail
Teal
Goldeneye
Gadwall
Mallard
Wigeon
Coot
Moorhen
Curlew
Oystercatcher
Redshank
Black-tailed godwit
Dotterel
Dotterel (Google Images)
Dunlin
Turnstone
Grey plover
Golden plover
Common snipe
Lapwing
Collared dove
Woodpigeon
Stock dove
Carrion crow
Jackdaw
Blackbird
Robin
Wren
Dunnock
Dunnock (Google Images)
House sparrow
Blue tit
Great tit
Long-tailed tit
Pied wagtail
Starling
Chaffinch
Goldfinch
Goldcrest
Skylark
Meadow pipit
Reed Bunting
Cetti’s warbler (voice only)
Cetti’s Warbler (Google Images)
Kingfisher
Pheasant
Magpie
Jay…….
65 species that I can remember!
Not a bad haul, but highlights/rarities were the six snow geese we saw mixed in with many barnacle geese, and a single dotterel among hundreds of golden plovers.
With best regards from Carolyn and myself –
Graham