1st September.
Oystercatchers in thunderstorm.
re Blog - The spectacle of Campfield's high tides, 30th August to 1st September.
http://www.rspb.org.uk/community/placestovisit/campfieldmarsh/b/campfieldmarsh-blog/archive/2015/09/02/the-spectacle-of-campfield-39-s-high-tides-31st-august-and-1st-september-2015.aspx
2nd September.
Sunshine and showers with a cooler feel altogether but hardly any wind, though. At 3pm, the high tide of 10.2m came well up the marsh. Late afternoon, a Kestrel was seen hunting along the saltmarsh in front of the hamlet. Crows tried chasing it away but to no avail. It kept coming back. There is a substantial drift line here which presumably attracts small rodents - hence the Kestrel's persistence.
A Grey Squirrel again visited the hamlet feeders for about 10minutes.
Derrick W. had seen 4 Little Egrets (Campfield) and 7 Black-tailed Godwit on the high tide roost.
Kestrel hovering over drift line.
Grey Squirrel again on Hamlet feeders.
Lovely sunset to finish the day.
3rd September.
A colder feel to the day with a NW wind and very little sunshine. High tides falling back now.
The Kestrel is regularly hovering along the marsh gorse-line and there are a pair of Goldfinch with a fledgling on niger seed hanger in the hamlet. This is our first sighting of a Goldfinch fledgling this year.
David J. recorded 5 Ruff on Campfield Scrape in the afternoon.
LOGBOOK SIGHTINGS.
RDC - 1 Painted Lady, Rogersceugh.
Goldfinch pair and fledgling.
4th September.
A cool northerly wind was blowing for most of the day but it is quite warm in sheltered places in the sunshine.
Noticed a small group of Lapwings bathing and preening in Saltmarsh Pool as we passed. A small party of Teal were frequenting this pool too!
4.30pm M.P. had good views of ring-tailed Hen Harrier from the hide.
HKM - Moth Trap record: Small Wainscot; Small Square-spot; Rosy Minor; Haworth's Minor; House Moth; Heath Rustic; Rosy Rustic; Sallow, Frosted Orange; Canary Shoulder Thorn; Ear; Grass Emerald.
Peter S... - Kestrel with 'Vole'! near hide ( very impressed with Reserve - Thanks).
RDC - 2 Little Egret, tidal depression off the Reserve entrance - 1.47pm.
Lapwing on Saltmarsh Pool.
Some of Hedda's Moth Trap results.
Haworth's Minor.
Rosy Rustic.
Sallow.
Frosted Orange.
Canary Shouldered Thorn.
Grass Emerald.
6th September.Late evening, Crows were chasing a Sparrowhawk who had just made a pass at a Kestrel on the edge of the saltmarsh near the hamlet.
John Howard emailed after a visit - "am. misty and cloudy. Saw 8 snipe, 2 Kestrels - pleased to be able to sit in the hide".
Thank you Urisa Reungsuwan for the excellent photo of a Common Hawker taken at 17.55hrs from above the doorway to the hide.
Common Hawker above hide door.
LOGBOOK SIGHTINGS
Dennis B. - 4 Little Egrets on Pool on marsh.
Roger F. - 20 Snipe seen from new Boardwalk and 7 Buzzards.
NVH - 2 couples reported having seen a Marsh Harrier.
7th September.
Very misty start to the day, but as is often the case once the tide has turned the mist disperses.
Red Admirals were flying. They seem partial to the Apple Mint flowering in the wildflower meadow.
A Raven was heard having an argument with some Crows in the trees lining the Discovery field.
AMG. County Durham - 3 Buzzards circling, At least 2 Kestrel hunting over Bog. Bog Rosemary off the boardwalk, lots of dragons and Wall Browns.
.
Young Goldfinch chasing parent for food.
Begging.
Success.