April Sightings

April Sightings

Reed Bunting - Martyn Wilson ©

Sightings are seen by the following birders unless stated:

Brendan Ryan, Marc Heath, Norman McCanch, John Cantelo,

Martyn Wilson, Dave Dowell, Derek Smith.

30th April

Some good coverage of the valley today with some good quality birds seen. Birds seen from Grove Ferry were 5 Marsh Harrier, 2 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 1 Hobby, 2 Common Tern, 5 Cuckoo, 3 Redshank, 1 Ruddy Duck, 2 Greenshank, 1 Wigeon, 2 Little Egret, 1 Little Ringed Plover, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Wheatear, 2 Nightingale and good numbers of Sedge Warbler and a few Cetti's Warbler. Swift numbers remained good with 60+ birds seen over Grove throughout the morning with a few Sand Martins and House Martins.There were 21+ Hobby reported mid afternoon from Grove/ Stodmarsh and a Red Kite was reported South over Stodmarsh late morning/ early afternoon. A look at Collards produced a surprise in the form of 3 Little Gull late morning and at 3.15pm 10 Hobby, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Marsh Harrier and 3 Common Tern were seen from Collards.

29th April

The following species were seen at Grove Ferry today. 17 Hobby, 3 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Ruff, 2 Little Ringed Plover and 10 Swift. Also seen today were 3 Nightingale, many Chiffchaff, Blackcaps, Whitethroats, Reed Warbler, Sedge Warbler. At least 12 Garden Warblers singing between the car park and the river, with about 6 or 7 in the short walk from the tower hide to the river. 6 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Sparrowhawks, 5 Marsh harriers soaring together near Lampen Wall, 13 Hobbys together seen hunting quite low from the Lampen Wall, with numbers building up as the morning went on. 2 Cuckoos, 4 Common Terns, 5 G C Grebes, 1 Yellow Wagtail Viewing from the ridge overlooking Collards/Stodmarsh 12:30 - 1:30 pm, Numbers of Hobbys exceeded 20 birds seen across the valley, very hard to be exact. Several Yellow Wagtails passed over.

28th April

The highlight today was when a White Stork was seen circling at 6.30pm over the ramp at Grove Ferry before heading high East.

27th April

The most obvious feature today was the movement of Swifts, 70+ birds were counted at Grove Ferry this morning but they seemed to be moving through so the real figure may have been alot more. Other Birds seen today included 3 Cuckoo, 2 Sparrowhawk, 5 Marsh Harrier, 1 Kestrel, 5 Ruddy Duck, 7 Pochard, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Shelduck, 10 Shoveler, 15 Gadwall, 2 Redshank, 1 Common Tern, 26 Teal, 4 Whitethroat, 5 Blackcap, 4 Nightingale, 8 Cetti's Warbler, good numbers of Sedge Warbler, 3 Skylark, 2 Bullfinch, 2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker and 2 Hobby. 2 Whinchats, 2 Little Ringed Plovers, 2 Wheatears, 15 Yellow Wagtails, 24 Swifts. 3 Hobby were seen from Collards lake in the early afternoon and 1 little Egret, 210 sandmartins were seen from Grove in the evening with 14 Common terns and a hobby seen from Stodmarsh.

26th April

I popped into Stodmarsh for a brief visit tonight only working the car park down to the reedbed hide and saw the following species: 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Common Tern, 4 Swift, 1 Water Rail heard, A few Bearded Tits heard, 1 Nightingale, 2 Blackcap, 2 Whitethroat, 2 Chiffchaff, 3 Bullfinch, 1 Garden Warbler and 1 Cetti's Warbler.

25th April

The following species were seen today at Stodmarsh: 8 Great Crested Grebe, 75 Cormorant roosting in the dead trees, 3 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Shelduck, 9 Shoveler, 2 male 1 female Marsh Harrier, 8 Common Tern, 2 Cuckoo, 6 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Sedge Warbler, 6 Reed Warbler, 2 Blackcap and 3 Chiffchaff.

24th April

I paid a visit to Stodmarsh this morning before dawn. The dawn chorus was amazing with birds battling to be heard above each other. The following species were seen: 2 Nightingale, 3 Chiffchaff, 1 Whitethroat, 2 Blackcap, 3 Garden Warbler, 3 Cuckoo, 1 Tawny Owl heard, 4 Shelduck, 10 Shoveler, 8 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Little Egret, 1 Green Woodpecker and numerous Sedge Warbler and Cetti's Warbler. 1 Turtle Dove and 1 Greenshank also seen and the Green winged Teal was still in the flooded field 100 metres SW of the oxbow lake. The following species were logged at Grove Ferry: 1 Garganey, 5 Whimbrel, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 3 Ruff, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Wheatear, 1 Curlew and 8 Swifts were a first for the year. There were 3 Wigeon at Collards. A Little Tern was also seen at Grove today.

23rd April

An excellent morning's birding at Grove Ferry and Stodmarsh with the following species seen. From the ramp at Grove: 3 Sedge Warbler, 37 Teal, 2 Redshank, 2 Pintail, 2 Lesser Black Backed Gulls, 11 Gadwall, 18 Shoveler, 3 Ruddy Duck, 14 Tufted Duck, 3 Ruff, 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Pochard. From the Green Hide: 3 Ruddy Duck, 7 Tufted Duck, 10 Pochard, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Common Tern and 1 Water Rail and Bearded Tits heard. From Harrisons Drove Hide: 11 Shoveler, 1 Gadwall, 1 Kestrel, 1 Green Woodpecker and 2 Curlew briefly. From the Marsh Hide: 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Little Egret, 8 Teal, 1 Shoveler, 1 Little Grebe and 2 Shelduck. Other birds seen in the Grove area included 14 Sedge Warbler, 3 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Reed Warbler, 3 Blackcap, 3 Nightingale, 2 Whitethroat and 1 Sparrowhawk. Onwards around Stodmarsh with the following species seen: 17 Cetti's Warbler, 17 Sedge Warbler, 4 Reed Warbler, 3 Water Rail, 6 Chiffchaff, 3 Blackcap, 2 Common Tern, 11 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Marsh Harrier, 2 Hobby, 1 Garden Warbler, 2 Nightingale, 1 Greenshank, 2 Redshank and I managed to relocate one of the Green winged Teals in a flooded field 100 metres SW of the oxbow lake with 5 other teal. 1 drake Garganey from the oxbow lake concluded a very pleasant morning's birding.

22nd April

Some good coverage today by the local birders at Grove Ferry with the following species seen. From the ramp 2 Ruff, 1 Greenshank, 3 Redshank, 3 Snipe, 1 Little Egret, 1 male and 1 female Marsh Harrier, 34 Teal, 32 Shoveler, 2 Ruddy Duck, 2 Pintail, 4 Tufted Duck, 1 Pochard, 18 Gadwall, 3 Shelduck, 2 Common Tern, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull. From Harrisons Drove Hide 2 Shoveler, 10 Teal, 1 Kestrel, 2 Redshank and 1 drake Garganey from the oxbow lake. A walk along the river produced 2 Nightingale, 4 Blackcap, 4 Chiffchaff and 1 Jay. General birds seen around the reserve included 3 Reed Warbler, 6 Cetti's Warbler, 3 Swallows, many House/Sand Martins hawking over the pools and reed beds,1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Mistle Thrush, several Bearded Tits heard and 1 Waterail.

2 Merlins were reported from Stodmarsh along with 4 Hobby.

21st April

A walk around Grove tonight produced the following: 1 Common Tern, 3 Ruddy Duck, 2 Ruff, 1 Little Egret, 4 Redshank, 300+ Hirundines (mainly Sand Martins with a few Swallows), 3 Yellow Wagtail, 4 Sedge Warbler, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Marsh Harrier, 6 Skylark and a few Tufted Duck, Teal, Shoveler and Gadwall. The Green winged Teal was reported from the Marsh Hide again early afternoon along with 1 Hobby at Grove and there was also a Red Footed Falcon reported from the logbook at Grove Ferry.

20th April

A brief but pleasant walk to the ramp at Grove Ferry tonight after work. Birds seen included 3 Marsh Harriers, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Little Egret, 2 Redshank, 2 Cetti's Warblers and a few Swallows and Sand Martins flying North.

19th April

A walk around Grove Ferry tonight produced 2 Whimbrel, 140 Sand Martin, 2 Grey Partridge, 10 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Little Egret and 2 Ruff.

18th April

The Green winged Teal was reported from the ramp at Grove Ferry again in the morning.

17th April

Some good quality birds to be seen today in lovely sunshine again at Grove and Stodmarsh. The highlight today was 1 or possibly 2 Hobby that were seen at Stodmarsh and from the ramp at Grove. The 2 Green Winged Teals were seen again throughout the day from the ramp and the Marsh Hide. Other birds seen today included 5 Marsh Harriers, 4 drake Garganey, 1 Blue Headed Wagtail, 1 Little Ringed Plover, 1 Whitethroat and a few Nightingale and Sedge Warbler. 112 Mute Swans were at Hersden lake and at Collards, 1 Common Tern, 50 Sand Martins, 1 Goldeneye and 4 Wigeon.

16th April

A brilliant morning's birding at Grove and Stodmarsh in glorious sunshine and plenty of birds to be seen. 3 Cuckoo, 10+ Cetti's Warbler, 10+ Chiffchaff, Good numbers of Sedge Warbler, 9 Nightingale, 5 Blackcap, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Green Winged Teal from the ramp all morning and 1 Green Winged Teal reported from near the Oxbow Lake, 2 drake Garganey, 3 Pintail, 3 Avocet, 8 Tufted Duck, 12 Redshank, 1 Little Egret, 2 Sparrowhawk, 4 Marsh Harrier and a few Gadwall, Shoveler and Teal. A steady passage of Hirundines all morning passed through Grove.

15th April

The following birds were reported from Grove / Stodmarsh today. The Green Winged Teal was still present from the ramp and from the Marsh Hide 5 drake Garganey, 3 Ruff, 1 Green Sandpiper and 1 Whimbrel flew over. A Whitethroat was seen from the car park at Stodmarsh.

14th April

A damp and wet day in the valley but a few birds to be seen at Grove including 4 Pintail, 6 Ruddy Duck, 4 Swallows and a Willow Warbler and the Green Winged Teal was reported from the ramp late morning and From the Marsh Hide there were 3 Little Grebe, 4 Ruff and a Reed Warbler.

13th April

The Green Winged Teal was reported from the Marsh Hide again.

12th April

Birds seen at Grove today included 1 Spotted Crake, 2 Green Winged Teals ( 1 from the ramp and 1 from the Marsh Hide), 1 Common Tern, 2 pairs of Marsh Harrier, 1 Ring Tail Hen Harrier, 1 Sparrowhawk, 9 Pochard, 7 Tufted Duck, 7 Ruddy Duck, 3 Pintail, 7 Ruff, 4 Garganey, 1 Little Grebe, 1 Little Egret, 1 Cuckoo, 1 House Martin, 1 Nightingale and good numbers of Sedge Warblers now singing.

Little Grebe - Martyn Wilson ©

11th April

The Green Winged Teal was again showing from the Marsh Hide.

10th April

The birding highlight today was when 2 Green Winged Teals were seen at Grove / Stodmarsh, 1 from the Marsh Hide and 1 from the ramp. Other birds seen at Grove included 3 drake Garganey, 2 pairs of Pintail, 12 Tufted Duck, 7 Ruddy Duck, 8 Shelduck, 2 Little Grebe, 1 Little Egret, 2 pairs of Marsh Harrier, 1 Sparrowhawk, 5 Ruff, 1 Nightingale, 4 Sedge Warbler, 2 Yellow Wagtail including 1 Blue Head, 1 Wheatear and a passage of 60 Greenfinches North West.

9th April

Birds seen at Grove today included the drake Green Winged Teal from the Marsh Hide again in the morning, 2 pairs of Marsh Harrier, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 drake Garganey, 2 Ruff, 11 Black Tailed Godwit, 1 Little Grebe, 3 Little Egret, 1 male Wheatear, 4 Swallows and a few Cetti's Warbler's.

8th April

The Green Winged Teal was seen again late morning and throughout the afternoon from the Marsh Hide at Grove / Stodmarsh.

7th April

A rather windy morning at Grove today, I suspect the birds were sheltering to as not many could be heard singing. The following were seen: 4 Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcap, 10 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Swallow, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Kestrel, 2 Green Woodpecker, 4 drake Garganey (3 from the oxbow and 1 from the ramp) 9 Tufted Duck, 3 Pintail, 1 Wigeon, 3 Shelduck, 1 Little Ringed Plover from the Marsh Hide, 36 Gadwall, 97 Shoveler, 80 Teal, 3 Redshank and 2 Ruff. There was no sign of the Green winged Teal this morning from the Marsh Hide or from the ramp.

6th April

The drake Green Winged Teal is still present this morning showing from the Marsh Hide.

5th April

A lovely walk around Grove and Stodmarsh for a few hours in pleasant sunshine today.The highlight was when the Green Winged Teal was refound at the Marsh Hide and showed very well at times throughout the late morning / early afternoon. Other birds seen today included 4 Blackcap, 11 Chiffchaff, 15 Cetti's Warbler, 4 Yellow Wagtail, 4 Sedge Warbler, 8 Black Tailed Godwit, 3 Pintail, 3 Ruddy Duck, 112 Teal, 123 Shoveler, 34 Gadwall, 4 Tufted Duck, 7 Pochard, 1 Little Egret, 4 Redshank, 4 Shelduck, 2 Ruff, 3 Garganey - 2 drakes from the Marsh Hide and 1 drake from the Oxbow lake, 2 Marsh Harrier, 1 Sparrowhawk, 4 Kestrel, 2 Swallow, 6 Skylark and the Stodmarsh main lake held 10 Great Crested Grebe.

Photo courtesy of Planetthanet.org

3rd April

A drake Green Winged Teal was reported at 6pm tonight viewable from the ramp at Grove, other birds seen today at Grove were 1 Peregrine, 4 Marsh Harrier, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Kestrel, 1 Little Egret, 2 Redshank, 4 Sedge Warbler, 1 Swallow, 1 Sand Martin, 4 Garganey, 3 Pintail, 62 Teal, 65 Shoveler, 20 Gadwall, 3 Ruddy Duck and 37 Mute Swans. Stodmarsh produced 110 Teal, 11 Great Crested Grebe and 1 Ruff. Collards held 3 Goldeneye inc one drake, 74 Tufted duck, 31 Pochard, 2 drake Garganey, 7 Wigeon, 6 Great Crested Grebe and 1 Little Egret. Hersden lake produced 1 drake Garganey, 81 Mute Swan, 7 Great Crested Grebe. Westbere produced 9 Cetti's Warbler and 3 pairs of Great Crested Grebe. In the Grove/Stodmarsh/Collards area today the total count of singing warblers was 18 Chiffchaff, 8 Willow Warbler, 36 Cetti's Warbler and 4 Blackcap.

2nd April

A Kite species was reported North over Grove this morning at 9.35am and other birds seen at Grove today included 4 Garganey, 2 Marsh Harrier, 1 Ring Tail Hen Harrier, 1 Sparrowhawk, 3 Water Pipit, 1 Whinchat, 5 Redshank, 2 Sedge Warbler and a Little Ringed Plover was reported from the Marsh Hide.There were 10 Garganey including 7 drakes reported from Collards.

1st April

There were a good number of birders around Grove this morning despite the fog which at times made viewing a challenge, however the following birds were seen:

119 Shoveler, 128 Teal, 4 Ruddy Duck, 2 Pintail, 29 Gadwall, 3 Garganey, 9 Tufted Duck, 12 Pochard, 2 Shelduck, 5 Redshank, 4 Water Rail, 1 Great Crested Grebe, 6 Snipe, 1 Bittern, 2 Marsh Harrier, 1 Water Pipit, 13 Meadow Pipit, 6 Skylark, 5 Chiffchaff, 9 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Sedge Warbler, 13 Bearded Tits, 4 Swallow and 1 Sand Martin.