Cliffe Pools - Recent threads

RSPB MEDWAY LOCAL GROUP TRIP TO CLIFFE POOLS 10/03/2013

Dr Hoo — Sun, 10 Mar 2013 16:15:16 GMT

Despite the cold and dull weather 7 souls braved the elements to enjoy a most exhilarating mornings birding. It is always nice to see Alan and Terry make the effort all the way from Abbeywood, also the appropriately named Cliff along with stalwarts Sue, Steve and Warren.

Well protected off we set just after nine, Oystercatcher, Tufted Duck, Pochard and B.H.Gull were first onto the list, quickly followed by a Sparrowhawk and Bullfinch. We trekked high up onto the pinnacle to get an overview and could see the spectacular numbers of birds we were to have closer encounters with a little later. Over towards Alpha Pool Canada and Greylag Geese fed on the grass.

A Kestrel hung windward in the distance as we descended. Huge flocks of several thousand birds flew up from the high water roosts, mainly Blackwits and Lapwing with high counts of Dunlin. A Stock Dove was also seen

Back at ground level we added, off the Radar islands, Med.Gull, Avocet, on the water were Shelduck, Pintail, Coot, Moorhen and Great Crested Grebe, Little Grebe and Little Egret. Overhead were various Corvids etc.

On a side pool off Conoco we spied Long tailed Tits and a Goldcrest. Shortly after a couple of huge flocks of Dunlin flew directly overhead by about 10 metres, giving us an audio as well as a visual display with their wing beats and whistling..

On Flamingo were Gadwall, Goldeneye, Teal and Shoveller.

Over toward the Thames was a female Marsh Harrier. In spite of the weather Skylark with Meadow Pipit took to the air.

Redshank, Grey Plover, Turnstone and Ringed Plover were at the top and beach end of Flamingo. Gulls were all around as usual in addition to those mentioned Lesser Black Backs and Herring.

Blue Tits, Great Tits and Song Thrush flew around us.

Other species seen were Mallard, Cormorant, Dunnock, Blackbird.

So all in all a brief, cold trip, but we managed to clock up 46 species in three hours and a good time was had by all.

REGARDS DAVID SAUNDERS; RSPB WALK LEADER

Black-tailed Godwits Spectacular & Friends.

Rocking Robin — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 23:53:48 GMT

Hello All,

The Cliffe Pools success story continues with the Black-tailed Godwits enjoying things very nicely.

Scaup

Great Crested Grebe

Lapwing

Greenshank which was rung on the Medway 2006.

Spot the Snipe

Goldeneye

Little Egret

Stonechat

Have fun.

RR.

Hen Harrier

Skinnysox — Sun, 23 Sep 2012 19:37:12 GMT

Had a great day in the sunshine at Cliff on Saturday - saw a female hen harrier. Are they usually seen at this site?

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151240546684874.511465.781019873&type=3

Beautiful Day at Cliffe and Northward Hill...

Skinnysox — Sun, 23 Sep 2012 19:34:35 GMT

Had a great day in the sunshine on Saturday - was surprised to see a hen harrier. Are they seen regularly here?

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151240546684874.511465.781019873&type=3

Recent pics

Paul Rowe — Thu, 14 Jun 2012 21:28:51 GMT

Some pics from a couple recent visits.

http://www.essexbirds.com/cliffe

cheers

Paul

close encounter - Kestrel

chrisw — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 19:04:43 GMT

When I arrived at Cliffe pools on Sunday, I couldn't believe the Kestrel was sitting up on the telegraph wires, so close to the car park. My wife and I moved slowly as close as we dare, and then just waited to see what would happen. The result was a spectacular exhibition of hunting, just metres away from where we stood.

Jellyfish a plenty at CLiffe Pools

deedee — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 12:16:01 GMT

I was surprised when looking out across the lake looking for birds, when to my surprise floating happily along the edge loads of jellyfish. Never seen that before. Was quite hypnotic watching them.

Easter Saturday sightings/heard at Cliffe Pools

Kathy — Sat, 23 Apr 2011 13:58:10 GMT

This was my second visit to Cliffe Pools. We heard loads of Nightingales, but see one? Not a dicky-bird! They are so well hidden in the shrubbery. We did, however see a lot of Whitethroats, a few Wrens, Chaffinchs, Chiff-chaffs and I saw a Cuckcoo flying away from us down the path behind us and on our way back to the carpark, a Blackcap. Naturally, we saw many waders on the islands, but just a little too far off for my lousy eyesight to make out what the various individual birds were.

digiscoping

birdman — Sun, 30 Jan 2011 20:07:59 GMT

has any one any advice on what settings to put the camara on ? have only just starting doing it.

August 29th

Gordon Allison — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 21:21:02 GMT

The pectoral sandpiper was present for it's 3rd day on the first Black Barn pool, looking from the 1st viewing mound. Also single wood and curlew sandpipers, 3 green sandpiper, 3 ruff, 3 greenshank & a single spotted redshank. At least 21 little egrets on the Radar pool. I went looking for the Kentish plover on the Flamingo pool, but was side-tracked by some people holding a mini-rave behind the seawall. Though I gather the KP did show up on the high tide.

cheers,

Gordon

Good birds at Cliffe 28th August

Gordon Allison — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 19:15:15 GMT

I don't seem able to add anything to the blog, so I'll stick this here!

Sounds like there's been a few good birds around the reserve today. A pectoral sandpiper reported yesterday was confirmed this morning at the 1st mound & continued to show here all day. There was also one wood sandpiper & several green sandpipers here. Also, a Kentish plover found at Tilbury came onto the reserve with ringed plovers at high tide, when there was also at least 140 grey plover. There were quite a few passage whinchats about and also a grass snake on the black barn track. Must try & get over myself tomorrow.

cheers,

Gordon

Some Cliffe Sightings 15th to 19th June

MacGyver — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 16:33:15 GMT

4spotted chaser, emperor dragonfly, black tailed skimmer, grass snake, adder, scarce emerald damselfly

sightings at cliffe?

Elliott — Mon, 24 May 2010 09:36:51 GMT

on the blog I am now going to be adding sightings from saturdays and sundays every week. has anyone been to cliffe recently that has anything they would like to share?

My first pied wagtail at cliffe a fortnight ago as well as my best look at a short eared owl by flamingo pool ever. watched it for a full 5 minuted before a gang of ruthless balck headed gulls chased it off. look forward to hearing your stories...

What's the latest news at Cliffe Pools?

Kingfisher Fan — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 14:06:41 GMT

I haven't been to Cliffe Pools since last August, or thereabouts. It looked like a work in progress at that time.

What's the latest in terms of the Reserve's development, and recent bird and other wildlife sightings?

Hope to hear from staff member or anyone who has such information. Thanks!

Kingfisher Fan