Very pleasing

Out of the bungalow, just after 06.00 hrs, two baits cast out into the drain little over an hour later. It was great to be back fishing and I was just happy to be at the waterside again although, as ever, a fish would be nice!
I went through the routine of leap frogging the rods along the bank; I'd probably covered 600 m before, at 10.00 hrs, my bite alarm registered a confident take on a bluey tail section. Picking up the landing net, I was on the rod very quickly and enjoyed a brief, but spirited, battle with a small jack - 5 lbs at best! I had planned to use my two split canes, but on getting home after work yesterday evening, I couldn't be bothered to set them up. Two Duncan Kay's, fitted with Matt Hayes' centre-pins were already kitted out, so that was what I was using. I recast both rods, baiting with Sardines (dyed yellow) and had made the decision that these would be my final casts of the session. At 10 . 30 hrs Bev called me. She asked how I was getting on and what time was I planning to get home? I replied that I was hoping to pack up around eleven, home by noon. I'd caught my fish, the first of 2017, and was happy to leave it there. Twenty minutes later; I was already thinking of packing up when my left hand rod, sardine section, was away. A very slow and confident run which resulted in a my first double of 2017 - all 10 lbs 2 oz of her. I was made up and going through the routine of getting my weigh sling sorted and resting the fish in my landing net when my other rod had a take. This time it was a right tear up, bloody hell! No landing net - there was nothing else for it than to walk the fish along the bank and land it in the net with the other fish in it. Luckily it worked a treat and my second double of the session (year) joined its' mate in the folds of my landing net. It was absolute chaos as I went about getting the second fish unhooked and setting up the camera gear for a few selfies.

It all turned out OK in the end, that second fish weighing in at 11 lbs 12 oz, so a nice brace to start the new year. Surprisingly, I didn't add anything to my year list. I was sure that Merlin or Stonechat would make an appearance whilst I was out on the marsh. Stunning views of a male Marsh Harrier, as it drifted over the adjacent marsh, plus Common Buzzard, Little Egret, 58 Cormorants in a spectacular "V" formation heading out to sea, at first light, and an adult Fox ensured I had something to keep me occupied whilst awaiting a bite. I love it out there.

Prep work

It looks like the split cane Mk IV's will be getting an outing this weekend? I took a drive out onto The Levels this morning and checked out a couple of drains that might provide the chance of a pike, or two? One, that I particularly favoured, is frozen solid but, a second venue is not. Given the forecast for East Kent, I am confident of getting a bait in the water tomorrow.

I had a cracking morning, out on the marsh, getting several more year ticks as I strolled about the area. My year list has reached the grand total of 69 species - all self found; and that's rather important to me. I'd taken my camera, because I felt sure that Stonechat would be a good bet. I didn't find one yet still had plenty of other subjects to point the long lens at. All in all, a very productive morning.

Gadwall, Reed Bunting and Raven were all new for the year.

A part of the puzzle, but surely not the complete answer?

Greenfinches have disappeared from my Newlands' Farm patch - fact! Last year there were at least five nesting pairs (territories), although I am unable to accurately report on how successful the breeding efforts were. These smart little finches, with their wheezing calls and aerial display flights, have been part and parcel of my patch since moving here in 2000. To suddenly discover that they've gone missing is a bit of a shock! That initial outbreak of trichomonosis was reported in 2006 and the devastating impact that this avian "myxomatosis" had upon the Greenfinch population is well documented. It seemed, however, that Newlands had bucked the trend?

28.03.2016 - a female Greenfinch at the plastic bird bath. Closer inspection reveals the tell tale signs of
Trichomonosis - a build up of food debris at the tip of the beak. 

Not so; I've been looking back through my photos and have discovered an image, from March 2016, which might shed some light on the Newlands population collapse?  "Trichomonosis" is a disease which affects the ability of the victims to swallow and digest the food and drink that they attempt to consume.  A bit of internet searching, via Google, and it soon became clear that this condition in our wild bird populations is not helped by garden feeding stations and a lack of hygiene. Victims of kindness?

A very healthy - looking male Greenfinch on the sunflower heart feeder (24.05.2015)

I have to admit that this aspect of garden bird etiquette is something I'd never previously thought about. Wild birds deal with wild situations - and then the penny dropped. Garden feeding stations are not wild situations, they are man made, as artificial as anything else in suburbia. I've had all my feeders in the sink, cleaned from top to bottom and am now happy to repeat this process on a monthly basis. Some of the advice I discovered on the internet revolved around moving the feeding station to different positions. OK if you have a big garden, rather pointless when the only safe cover is provided by our "Christmas Tree". The water in the bird baths is always changed regularly, as I also have the water in the aviary to maintain and it is simply a matter of flushing with a watering can.
Greenfinches have never been numerous around the feeders, a bit like Goldfinches, Siskin, Brambling and Chaffinch, they use the facility when they're in the vicinity. I am hopeful that the breeding birds left the area, for warmer climes, and will return in the Spring. Only then will I have a clearer picture of what has occurred locally?

Garden bits and a puzzle?

It's certainly been a few years since Thanet experienced a sustained period of cold weather (heavy frosts) like we are at present. The garden feeding station is host to good numbers of House Sparrows, Starlings, four/five Dunnock. two Blackbird, a Robin and occasional Rose-ringed Parakeet. Other birds, making fleeting visits, include a pair of Great Tits, a Wren and an unknown number of Blue Tits - never more than one at a time, but several individuals involved. Best of all was the appearance of a Pied Wagtail, on the patio, right outside the kitchen door. The first time I've actually recorded one in, as opposed to over, the garden.

Through the double-glazed backdoor. It was very close, pecking at scraps on the patio.

The Java Sparrows in my aviary are coping very well with this cold snap. My only extra duty is to ensure they have access to unfrozen water. It has entailed me using a hammer to smash the ice in their bird bath, before adding some fresh (hot) water to enable them to get a drink/bath. I have been equally attentive to the feeding station and the two water sources there. The main, concrete, bird bath has frozen solid for several nights on the trot. My remedy is the same as with the aviary -  smash the ice with a club hammer, remove as much as is possible with a scraper, before topping the concrete dish up with hot (not boiling) water.  The plastic fountain doesn't fare so well - if I were to attempt to use a hammer it would be game over. The plastic being far too brittle to take that type of treatment. The best I'm able to offer is a boiling kettle, poured directly onto the ice. It provides a few hours of drinking opportunity, during the day, before the temperatures take another dive overnight.

Dunnock on the garden fence. On closer inspection, take a look at the
infection/swelling on the right foot. I am aware of a similar
affliction being prevalent in Greenfinches, a few years back. Is this a precursor
to another common species taking a massive dive in numbers?

So to my puzzle! Fairly straight forward; where are my Greenfinches? I haven't got Greenfinch on my yearlist, as yet. They should be around Newlands' - somewhere! But they're not. There was a Song Thrush singing from over by the main farm compound, the garden Dunnocks are getting a little frisky and singing regularly. Something is not right

Fated moment

We'd run out of teabags so, before the day could get properly started, I had to take a stroll up to the shop to put the situation right. It was another clear, crisp morning and the frost indicated a very cold night had just passed. Mission accomplished, I made my return walk to be stopped dead in my tracks by the unmistakable, high pitched, trills of Waxwings. A quick search revealed a flock of nineteen birds perched high in the crown of a small group of Sycamores at the junction of West Dumpton Lane and Vine Close - result! Not only a year tick, but a patch year tick to boot!
I was already thinking about rushing home for the camera when another flock of a dozen or so flew over and the perched birds immediately rose and joined their buddies as they headed off low, skimming the rooftops of Prestege Ave.

Sadly not obtained this morning - so just for effect

I got home and made the tea before informing Bev that I was going out to see if I could relocate the flock. I had an idea that the Rowan berries around The Broadstairs Cricket Ground vicinity might just be the place? I gave it ten minutes, but no sign, so decided to have a quick drive over to the harbour for another bash at getting a photo of that Black Redstart of yesterday's outing. I parked up by Government Acre and walked down the steps to the port entrance then proceeded to make my way towards the harbour. Bingo, the bird was in exactly the same spot as I'd seen it on Sunday. It ranged between the concrete wall, below Churchill's Bar and the concrete arches, quite happy to feed at low levels behind the protection of the wire fence. A dark-bellied Brent Goose, another year tick, was floating about just off the Western Undercliff - home within the hour. Nice!

I'd called it as a 1st winter male - in much better light I'm now not so sure?

Rods redundant - went birding

It has been the most prolonged period of freezing weather that has been experienced here, on Thanet, for five, or six, years. The local drains have a solid surface, as does the Royal Military Canal, away to the south (although there was a match at Twiss Road today) - Bev and I have spent quite a while around the Hythe area, this afternoon, and the majority of sections appeared un-fishable. I had already made plans to spend the morning walking along the coastal path to Ramsgate Harbour and the Port beyond. There are a number of gaps on my year list which could easily be filled if I could be bothered to make the effort.
The car display registered -3C as I drove the short distance to Winterstoke. Thankfully there was little wind and the physical exertion of walking was enough to keep me warm; plus the fact that I was kitted out in my finest cold weather fishing kit. It was rather enjoyable walking this very familiar route. Birds, however, were conspicuous by their absence.  A few pairs of Fulmar have already taken up territory in the chalk cliffs above the Main Beach car park and I spent a while just watching them flying around these nesting ledges, high above my position.

Not a typical background for a flight shot of these, tube-nosed, ocean wanderers - the concrete arches of the
Ramsgate cliffs.

On reaching the harbour, I got my first list addition in the shape of a Turnstone, quickly followed by a Sanderling - happy days. A Rock Pipit was next, then it was the turn of a winter plumage Guillemot to provide the entertainment. I walked out along the Western Arm in order to grab a series of images of this irregular harbour visitor - it was very cooperative.

I continued on my way, although the early morning sunshine was clearly under threat of being obscured by an ever thickening veil of fog. I found a, 1st winter male, Black Redstart, along the under-cliff by the wind farm buildings - job done! The gloom descended and engulfed the whole coastline in a heavy, damp, chill. I retraced my steps and headed off home, happy with my efforts - five more boxes ticked!

A Newlands armchair tick - get a life!

Blogland is awash with the news that the BOU (British Ornithological Union) has now decided to adopt the IOC (don't know or care) taxonomic species listings in an attempt at standardizing/unification. The Globalization of birding, exactly what science, not UK birders, want. World domination is the next stop? Those white coated lab rats will now be singing from the same hymn sheet - hip. hip, hooray! The implications for me are absolutely zilch - I care not a jot for any authority when it relates to"official recording" of our natural world. In my opinion, and only my opinion, it belittles everything I hold dear - the wonder, mystery and enjoyment of the creatures which co-habit the world in which I live. Humanity doesn't need to put a label on everything, yet seems hell bent on doing so. I recognize the requirement to understand our environment and the eco-systems which deliver the life supporting conditions under which Earth has evolved to where we're at now. It's a truly magical concept, way beyond our ancestors, so that's why they invented God! They didn't have DNA analysis - we now have. Evolution is, by definition, a never ending process, so what makes a race today might well constitute a species tomorrow?
How does any of this stuff manifest itself, as important in, our daily lives, the real world? We've just seen Donald Duck Trump sworn in as the President of the United States of America, humanity doesn't have much left to offer mother Earth, so what we do by way of maintaining data integrity will go to the wall as mankind continues to hit the self destruct button. Cheer up you long-haired twat! It's only birding - a game. Remember this, because it is very important, bird-watching is a recreational pastime, not a sport. The requirement for rules are null and void if watching birds is what you choose to do. If, however, competition is what you seek - (fuck off and play football) -  join in with the adrenaline junkies and take up twitching or, seek a more sedate route provided by the patch watch challenge scenario. None of this is important beyond personal satisfaction and fulfillment - every individual has that right to choose whatever course they like through life. If turning a simple hobby into a competition is where you derive maximum reward, away you go, along with many kindred spirits.

One of my patch highlights - this individual tagged along with the farmyard flock
for several weeks in early 2004

It could easily be that I'm the only one in the gang? I'm the odd man out, because I don't get it? It's not a situation that causes me any anguish - I'm very much my own man and happy in my own company. If this latest BOU decision is to be taken seriously, then Newlands Farm will have Taiga and Tundra Bean Geese on the list! My problem with all this highbrow nonsense is they already are!
My lists - I'll include whatever I like, I don't require a judge and jury (or a twat in a lab coat) to confirm that I enjoy watching birds!

I'd flushed a "Taiga" Bean Goose at Newlands as I walked to work in January 2008. It flew from
some stubble down towards St. Luke's, where Gadget was also to enjoy some time with this very
desirable patch denizen.