STROOD SEAWALL WALKS

It was sunny and warm during a walk along the Strood seawall on Monday 14th. Amongst the varied selection of waders were four greenshank, one pictured above that was feeding along the bottom of the channel at low tide.

Redshank numbers have built up as birds return from the breeding grounds with 300+ noted. Also 70+ curlew, 40 grey plover, 10 golden plover, 5 black-tailed godwits and 10 dunlin.

Six little egrets were fishing along the bottom of the channel, a great crested grebe and 2 little grebe were in the shallow waters while 4 common terns were noted too.

Two marsh harriers, 2 common buzzard and a sparrowhawk were noted during the walk.

The wheat field inside the seawall was being harvested in the very dry conditions.

Three yellow wagtails, corn bunting, 4 reed buntings, 4 whitethroats and 10 linnets were noted in the fields.

The golden samphire growing alongside the seawall had a few butterflies feeding on the flowers such as painted lady, comma, small white and gatekeepers.

Birds noted on Saturday morning during a walk along the Strood seawall included several birds of prey enjoying the warm conditions. Two marsh harriers were heading off the island as were 3 common buzzards, 3 sparrowhawks, 2 kestrels and a peregrine were noted.

Along the channel at low tide were 3 greenshank, 2 whimbrel, 10 black-tailed godwits, 10 golden plover, 40 grey plover, 300 redshank, with a snipe flying over and also 50+ turnstone roosting on boats near the Hard.

Four common terns, 2 yellow wagtails, two corn buntings and 50+ house sparrows were also of note.

This big hornet hoverfly was seen near the Firs Chase caravan site and has becoming a more familiar sight on the island in recent summers.

Some of the Firs Chase jays have learnt how to steal the nuts from the red squirrel feeder.

Red squirrel sightings have got scarcer in the Firs Chase garden over the last month although there have been a few brief visits to gnaw at the deer antler fixed near the feeder.

A willow warbler was feeding in a birch tree in the Firs Chase garden on Monday afternoon while on Sunday six swifts were flying overhead.

At the country park a badger was seen by Andy Field mid morning running across the pond field and disappearing back into its sett on Monday 14th.

A spoonbill was seen by Martin Cock flying west along the Pyefleet Channel on Sunday 13th.