Apex predators, elusive species and a stunning suite of birdlife, RSPB Northward Hill has it all!
Walking down the track from the office in the beautiful sunshine was a delight, with Peacock, Tortoiseshell and Comma all chasing each other round, shooing rivals off their patch in the sun. Sometimes it was difficult to see who was chasing who, but all seemed to be on an equal footing, occasionally their aerial sparring would take them high into the sky.
I only saw one hoverfly too quick for identification, more obliging were the bee-flies allowing me a half decent photograph.
Continuing on towards Ernest Hemsley I thought I'd take a quick squizz at the water channel in the hope of catching a Water Vole or even a Grass Snake unawares, no luck there, however as I sat quietly on the bench listening to the breeze singing through the reeds and the musical whistling "whee-oo' of the drake Wigeon, a strange noise emanated from within the reed bed. A squealing like noise pretty unbirdlike, but unmistakably a Water Rail. I was hoping it would show itself but no and probably only a couple of feet in. The density of the reed stems and the birds' cryptic colouration keeping it hidden from unwelcome eyes.
Walking through the wood towards Sweeney Viewpoint Chiff-chaff called out their easily recognisable song, sometimes described as chip-chap-chip-chap. A male Blackcap sang his beautiful song high in the Willow trees, a song to rival even the Blackbird and, dare I say it, the Nightingale!
At the viewpoint, a large group of white objects caught my eye about a mile out on the marsh, 23 Mute Swans idling and grazing on a grassy field.
Plenty of ducks were on the water including Wigeon, Tufted Ducks, Teal, Shelduck with Canada and Greylag Geese. Lots of Coots and a few Moorhens intermingled with Oystercatchers, Lapwing and Redshanks. Plenty to see and hear with the trill of the Little Grebe cutting through the calls like a knife through butter!
An Easyjet plane flew low over the hillock on its' way to Southend Airport disturbing a Peregrine Falcon, which obligingly circled quite low overhead for a couple of minutes showing the classic anchor shape and even had a mini stoop at some unseen quarry below. As it drifted over the wood another raptor was riding the thermals, a Common Buzzard after a minute or two they appeared to invade one another's 'airspace' I did expect some interaction but none occurred, so I assumed that neither saw the other as a territorial threat or to their respective food source.
It was nice to bump into the RSPB Bexley Local Group, who were having a walk around the reserve.
The North Kent Marshes are a very special area and worth preserving at all cost.