Eager to try out my new camera today, so headed early doors to Gillingham for a walk away from the crowds. Despite the lockdown still being enforced it seems my favoured spots are overrun with people at the moment, which makes wildlife watching on the 'daily exercise' harder than it used to be. I figured if I got there for half seven I could avoid the dog walkers and family strolls and boy was it rewarding!
These snakes are easier to spot than others due to their habit of hanging out on path edges, rather than secretly tucked away, although they are very quick to get out the way once they realise you're there. You can usually spot their basking areas on field edges and scrubby plots, with pockets of crushed vegetation providing the ideal platform for them to soak up the sun.
Me and the missus also got a hat full of Slow Worms, and one Grass Snake that was unfortunately far too quick to get a shot of.
I did mention that I've never really had much joy with birding on the site, essentially it's one long path between the Medway Estuary and farmland, and for such a decent habitat waders and the like seem in short supply. It's a great spot for Brent Geese, but there is rarely much else save for Gulls and Shelduck.
However, the other side of the main footpath was teeming with passerines, and on a tip off from another birder I got my first Turtle Dove of the year. These once numerous summer migrants have suffered a crazy decline in the last 30 years, mostly due to lack of suitable habitat and shooting on the continent and there's now very few places to see them. A lot of work goes in to preserving this iconic species and hopefully they can stage a comeback soon.
Spring is in full force when the Nightingales start singing, this one stayed out for just long enough for a good view before ducking back into cover. Not much bigger than a Robin, and quite dull to look at, but these birds make serious music.
Warblers were plentiful, with Blackcaps, Whitethroats and ChiffChaffs all around, along with various Finches, Robins and House Sparrows.
Not to be outdone by the Nightingale, this Song Thrush gave it the beans whenever I came near his tree, I've always found their calls like scat-jazz, they don't seem to follow any pattern or motiff, just improvise and chatter over everything else!
Today's mystery bird is this Warbler. Snapped a pic thinking it was just a posing Whitethroat, but on closer inspection the underside is quite red/buff and the eye is certainly red. Got me thinking possible Dartford Warbler but I'm pretty sure you don't find them here!
Edit, 100% a Dunnock in odd lighting, egg on my face
Photo of the day surely has to go to this female Adder, she sat there patiently with me, made no attempt to flee, and just let me enjoy her company. Media hype comes out every summer when a few unfortunate dogs get bitten, but these snakes are very peaceful if given appropriate room. Most bites occur when people try to muck with them, or when dogs unwittingly corner them. Simple solution is to leave them alone and keep dogs on leads and away from the scrub!
Until the next one!
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