August Sightings

Sightings can be Emailed to:

Marc, Martyn & Brendan

                   Martyn Wilson - martyn@wilson5834.freeserve.co.uk                                                   Brendan Ryan -  brendan.ryan@yahoo.co.uk

                            Marc Heath    - Heathym007@aol.com                  

                      Number of species recorded in the valley this year so far = 167

                      Butterfly Sightings         

31st August

I decided this morning to pay a visit to Stodmarsh to see if I could hear any owls before I visited Grove. I left home at 4.30am and after a few minutes saw a Barn Owl sitting on a fence post along Highstead Lane, near Broomfield. A good start. I arrived at Stodmarsh and pulled into a convenient layby and listened in the darkness. At 4.50am a Little Owl called nearby and at 5am 2 Tawny Owls were calling on and off for a few minutes. Excellent, 3 species of Owl in 30 minutes. With luck on my side i made my way over to Grove arriving at 5.20am in the hope of some good birds. I made my way to the ramp and at 5.40am I picked up another Barn Owl near the river. The following other birds were noted until i left at 7.45am just as Brendan was turning up: 14 Bar headed Geese, 1 Barnacle Goose, 1 Hybrid Goose, 1 Wood Sandpiper, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Pochard, 77 Greylag Geese, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 4 Water Rail but again no sign of the Spotted Crake, 21 Canada Geese, 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Kestrel, 2 Green Sandpiper, 10 Snipe, 3 Sparrowhawk, 62 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Green Woodpecker, 25 Cormorant, 4 Stock Dove, 1 Pheasant, 2 Little Egret and growing numbers of Teal, Shoveler and Gadwall. Of interest whilst looking for the Spotted Crake i saw a very pale Warbler and initially thought it was juvenile Bearded Tit ( it was that pale )but the flight was wrong. After a few seconds wait it flew past me into the reedbed not top be seen again. It was in the area where the Spotted Crake has been so anyone visiting, it may be worth a look. Probably a bright Sedge Warbler but an interesting bird.

(Marc Heath)

30th August

A very brief visit to Grove Ferry after work was quite productive with 3 Whinchats and a single wheatear along with the usual Wood Sandpiper, a Greenshank, 3 Green Sandpipers, a Common Sandpiper and a Ruff. There was no sign of the Spotted Crake this evening.

(Brendan Ryan)

At grove ferry this afternoon and the following was noted, from the ramp, 100 + Greylag Geese, 8 Black headed Gulls, 3 Ruff, 3 Cormorants, Teal and Mallard. There were also 38 Canadian Geese, 2 Mute Swans, 1 Common Snipe, 4 Pied Wagtails, 250 + Lapwings, the 2 hybrid Geese were present, 1 Goldfinch, 2 Greenfinches and 1 Reed Bunting. 2 Grey Herons flew over. From the Harrisons drove hide, 35+ Greylags were noted, along with 220+ Lapwing, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Little Egret flew into the green hide pool Teal, Mallard and a large flock of Starlings on the dried mud. There was also 1 Wood Sandpiper at the back of the pool and 2 Wood Sandpipers on the front of the main pool. I stopped to see if i could catch a glimpse of the Spotted Crake on the baillons pool ,but with no luck. There were 2 adult and 2 juvenile Water Rails noted, 1 Reed Warbler, numerous Bearded Tits and a Wood Sandpiper was in the first part of the baillons pool. 2 Green Sandpipers flew over. There were 3 Marsh Harriers over the back of the green hide.

(Steve Ashton)

Birding at Grove today between 7.45am - 12.45pm in sunny but breezy conditions produced the following of note: I made 4 visits to the Baillon's pool totalling two and a half hours or more in the hope of seeing and photographing the Spotted Crake. Not a single sighting but a juvenile Water Rail and a few Bearded Tits helped me pass the time away. Other birds seen: 2 Marsh Harrier, 14 Bar headed Geese, 1 Barnacle Goose, 1 Hybrid Goose, 2 Ring necked Parakeet, 386 Greylag Geese, 8 Greenfinch, 2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Wood Sandpiper, 3 Yellow Wagtail, 3 Pochard, 2 Water Rail, 4 Kestrel, 1 Hobby, 30 Canada Geese, 1 Turtle Dove, 3 Cetti's Warbler, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, the highlight of the visit was probably a Spotted Flycatcher seen on the Northern side of the river near the Oxbow lake, 4 Goldfinch, 1 Great spotted Woodpecker, 3 Chiffchaff, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Hepatic Cuckoo, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Kingfisher and only a few Reed Warbler and Bearded Tit seen but this may have been because of the brisk wind. There was a notable movement all morning of Starlings flying North.

(Marc Heath)

29th August

Spotted Crake still at Grove Ferry this morning. Little else at Grove other than 4 Ruff, 3 Wigeon, Sparrowhawk, Swift, Hobby and three Whinchats from the Marsh Hide track.

(Geoff Burton) 

28th August

Grove Ferry from 4.55am til 1.30pm again starting in the Harrison's Drove hide shetering from early showers before being joined by Dylan and looking for Crake(s). Birds seen and heard today were, 25 Canada Geese, 14 Bar-headed Geese, 1 Barnacle Goose, 1 hybrid Goose and c300 Greylag Geese. Many Yellow Wagtails left roost, but not counted, 6 Ruff were among the 400+ Lapwings including the "golden" bird plus there were 7 Green Sandpipers and the juvenile Wood Sandpiper. The Spotted Crake showed fairly well on & off from 8.25-8.50 but, was not seen again by 1.25pm. There were 6 Marsh Harriers, 9 Snipe, 3 Golden Plover, 1 Little Egret and a showy juvenile Cetti's Warbler at the "Crake" pool. A trickle of hirrundines were moving north early am, then good numbers of all three moving west  throughout the morning also, 60+ Swifts west. A Common Buzzard was low to the north and disappered behind the hill, a Green Woodpecker flew SW over Baillon's and a female Sparrowhawk chased Greenfinches into ramp side bushes. From the ramp were 3 Wigeon (2 drakes), 1 Greenshank, 467 Teal, 3 Pochard and a female Garganey, while at 11.30 i located a large Egret flying west over Preston Marshes that, when scoped, turned out to be a Great-white Egret that appered to be dropping into the Seaton area, no further sign by the time we left. Also today were 1 Hobby, 2 Pied Wagtails, 9 Cormorants (main pool) and still a few Sedge and Reed Warblers and several Bearded Tits while Crake watching! Starling numbers seem to be on the increase now as well.

(Martyn Wilson, Alan Ashdown & Steve Ashton)

27th August

Grove Ferry from 4.55am til 1.30pm started much as normal with the 14 feral Bar-headed Geese on the main pool, this time staying long enough into daylight to note 9 adults and 5 juveniles (sad eh?). The rest of the day saw, 3 Grey Herons, 6 Green Sandpipers, 2 Common Sandpipers, 4 Ruff and a juvenile Hobby at5.40 and again at midday.There were 5 Pochards, 3 Marsh Harriers, several Bearded Tits, 2 Kestrels, 2 Tufted Ducks, 2 Garganey and a Greenshank calling in the semi-darkness early am. We only counted 80 Yellow Wagtails out of roost today, not as far round this morn, but several were in the cow fields.There were 2 Pied Wagtails, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 1 juvenile Wood Sandpiper, 1 Little Egret and 1+ Ring-necked Parakeet was heard. A Spotted Redshank flew over Baillon's pool (thanks Brendan) and dropped into green hide pool, a Little Owl was in a Hawthorn on the river bank and 2 Jays were in the lone oak. Many Common Whitethroats were about, 121+ House Martins were over the White House, 40 Golden Plover flew over and around the reserve before departing to the east and the juvenile Spotted Crake showed for a bit in the left hand end of Baillon's pool. There were 260+ Lapwings, 7 Snipe 200+ Greylag Geese and 2 hybrids. A juvenile Cuckoo flew from the Harrison's hide area towards the Oxbow and 4 Whichats flew over Baillon's towards Stodmarsh. A trickle of Swallows still moving west and a few Reed and Sedge Warblers are still about. The pleasant company of Seasalter's Mike Gould was also enjoyed.

In addition to the above Brendan Ryan had 8 Winchats in fields near Marsh Hide.

(Martyn Wilson, Alan Ashdown & Steve Ashton)

Driving through France the previous day Martyn had texted me about flocks of winchats at Grove. Having missed the one spring bird this was a species that I wanted to catch up with for my valley year list. When I met up with Martyn, he hadn't seen any today, so I set off to check the fields between Grove and Stodmarsh and eventually found 8 near the Marsh Hide. This takes my year list to 157 beating my previous best year in 2004. Ohter birds seen today at Grove included 7 Ruff, one Ringed Plover, one Spotted Redshank, One Wood Sandpipier , 3 Swifts and the Spotted Crake

(Brendan Ryan)

26th August

Grove Ferry from 4.45am until 1.30pm, there were the usual 14 Bar-headed Geese with 2 Barnacle Geese and later in the morning 280+ Greylags flew in as did 47 Canada Geese, there were also 5 Canada hybrids! Also today were, 2 Greenshanks, 8 Green Sandpipers, 5 Ruff, 4 Garganey and 1 juvenile Wood Sandpiper. An impessive 142+ Yellow Wagtails that left their reedbed roost and there was a trickle of Swallows and Sand Martins moving west, in small flocks of between 8 & 20. Only 4 House Martins were noted! There were 7 Pochard, 2 Tufted Ducks, 20 Snipe, 2 Water Rails, 4 Marsh Harriers, 2 Kestrels, 1 Little Egret and 1 summer plumaged Golden Plover. The Tawny Owl was heard from across the river around 5.00am, the "golden" Lapwing was present with 550+ normal Lapwings an d 4 Stock Doves were present. I bumped into Steve Ashton at around 11.00am, nice to see he is still about, and spent a long while looking for the Spotted Crake, but, without sucsess. Common Whitethroats were plentiful as were Sedge Warblers, a few Reed Warblers were seen and 2 Lesser Whitethroats. 5 Pintail flew into the back pools at 7.50am (first of the autumn), 2 Jays were noisily squabbling on the river bank, a Bullfinch was heard, 3 Ring-necked Parakkeet (adult female & 2 juveniles) were seen and a Green Woodpecker. There were 7 Whinchat's (1 male) in fields alongside Harrison's Drove, 3 Sparrowhawks put in an appearance, 5 Wigeon (2 drakes) came in at 11.30am and 18 Black-headed Gulls, a Common Sandpiper and the resident female Ruddy Duck was still viewable from the ramp.

(Martyn Wilson, Marc Heath & Pete Solly)

After a couple of hours last night,in the company of Dylan, and 5 hours today, except 1/2 hour dodging a shower in the harrisons hide, (5 goldfinches noted) and another 1/2 hour locating 3 whinchat's after a tip off from Martyn Wilson, i staked out the Ballions pool, in hope of locating the Spotted Crake. At 3.15 pm i was duly rewarded with my first clear views of this secretive bird. it soon drew a crowd, and we watched it skulking along the far edge of the pool, for about 15 minutes. although it kept disappearing into the reeds, at times it stood in the open, allowing good viewing, although not long enough for any clear pics. Also noted in the pool was 1 adult and 2 juvenile Water Rails, 2 Green Sandpipers, 1 Wood Sandpiper, along with numerous Bearded Tits, Sedge and Reed Warblers.

(Steve Ashton)

25th August

I arrived at Grove at 4.50am this morning and was surprised at how light it was, the stars were shining in the sky and it had an autumn feel about it. I walked the reserve until 8am and had the following sightings: The most obvious arrival was the water which now filled most of the pools, the main ramp pool looking healthy and the Green hide was full of water. Even Harrisons hide had alot in it. I had a good look for the Spotted Crake seen yesterday but the water level must have put the bird off for it failed to show along with any Water Rail but they were heard in the reedbed. Other sightings: 14 Bar headed Geese crept out this morning not calling with 2 smaller Geese with them, 7 Green Sandpiper, 5 Cetti's Warbler, 91 Greylag Geese, 4 Tufted Duck, 4 Grey Heron, 52 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Kingfisher, 5 Whitethroat, 1 Great spotted Woodpecker, 3 Marsh Harrier, 7 Cormorant, 1 Kestrel, 5 Pochard, 1 Little Egret, 3 Swallow, 8 Goldfinch, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Willow Warbler, 1 Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff, 6 Ruff, 7 Golden Plover, 5 Snipe, 1 Common Sandpiper, 3 Pied Wagtail, 3 Greenfinch, 1 Garganey and still good numbers of Reed and Sedge Warbler being seen with Bearded Tits remaining very vocal.

(Marc Heath)

24th August

Birded Grove from 9-11am in fairly constant rain. I walked straight to the pools beyond the Green Hide hoping for Spotted Crake. Spent 20 minutes watching the largest pool thinking that while I was standing there a Crake was probably sitting out in the open on some other pool. I was right. When I walked a few yards further up the track to look at the last pool on the right (Ballion's Pool? - I wasn't living in the UK when this bird was seen so don't know for sure which pool this is) there it was, a juvenille Spotted Crake in the middle of the pool. I watched it for 10 minutes until it finally went into the reeds and didn't come out. The supporting cast of waders, which were mostly tucked away at the edges of various difficult to see pools, included 4 Green Sandpiper, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Wood Sandpiper, 4 Snipe, 2 Ruff, though second-best sighting of the morning has to be a Water Vole just a few yards from me feeding uncorcernedly in the channel running along the edge of Harrison's Drove.

(Jim Bloor)

23rd August

I arrived at Grove this morning at 4.45am in almost complete blackness, a few Green Sandpipers and Lapwings could be heard in the darkness. I walked the reserve until 7.30am and noted the following birds: 2 Grey Heron, 3 Cetti's Warbler, 14 Bar headed Geese were present early on and then left with 1 hybrid Goose and 1 Barnacle Goose towards Seaton, other birds: 1 other Barnacle Goose, 8 Garganey, 7 Ruff, 111 Greylag Geese, 7 Green Sandpiper, 5 Water Rail, 1 Greenshank, 13 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Marsh Harrier, 3 Pochard, 5 Tufted Duck, 5 Cormorant, 2 Kestrel, 2 Green Woodpecker, 2 Great spotted Woodpecker, 5 Linnet, 2 Jay, 1 Wood Sandpiper, 1 Little Egret, 1 Black tailed Godwit, 9 Snipe, 15 Golden Plover including a number still in summer plumage, 11 Swallow south, the entrance track was quite productive with 2 Whitethroat, 2 Bullfinch heard, 1 Blackcap, 1 Ring necked parakeet heard, 2 Lesser Whitethroat and 2 Greenfinch. There were still a few Reed and Sedge Warbler heard and seen along with a few Bearded Tit.

(Marc Heath)

22nd August

I made a brief visit to Grove this morning between 10am – 11.30am in glorious sunshine stopping at the ramp, the Green hide and Baillon’s pool. The following birds were noted: 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 4 Swallow, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Great spotted Woodpecker, 6 summer plumaged Golden Plover, 3 Ruff, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 juvenile Marsh Harrier, 20 Canada Geese, c250 Greylag Geese, c300 Lapwing, 7 Linnet, 4 Green Sandpiper, 1 Wood Sandpiper, 7 Snipe, 1 Sparrowhawk, 5 Pochard, 2 Pied Wagtail, 1 Bullfinch heard, 4 Turtle Dove, 1 Blackcap, 1 Whitethroat and a few Reed Warblers and Bearded Tits. The water level continues to drop but the Baillon’s pool looks good for a Spotted Crake at the moment, maybe next time!

(Marc Heath)

20th August

(18.10 - 20.00hrs)   Nothing much to get excited about. The pool in front of the "Green Hide" held an impressive 21 Green Sandpipers, 5 Ruff, 7 Common Snipe and a lone Common Sandpiper. Yellow Wagtail numbers were in excess of  65 birds as they gathered on the muddy fringes prior to going to roost and a superb juvenile Wood Sandpiper was quietly feeding on the Baillon's Pool. I also caught up with the strangely coloured Lapwing, that Martyn had encountered on the 12th August, I'm not sure if it is leucistic or not?

(Dylan Wrathal)

Now starting at 5.00am as darkness lingers that little bit longer now, and finishing at midday just as the heavens opended. The 14 Bar-headed Geese arrived just after we did with the accompnying two Canada Geese that are not at all small. There were 36 Canada Geese, 1 Canada/Greylag hybrid, 1 Barnacle Goose and 225 Greylag Geese. There was a single Ruddy Duck, 13 Green Sandpipers, 1 Wood Sandpiper, 6 Ruff, 1 Black-tailed Godwit and 2 Common Sandpipers. 5 Pochard from Green Hide plus 7 more flying around over the back pools, 22 Yellow Wagtails, 2 juvenile Water Rails and a juvenile Water Rails wing! 12 Common Terns flew east at 6.07 plus two more 5mins later. The 5 Garganey were showing well from the ramp mid morning (2 eclipse drakes) and hirrundines were represented good numbers of Sand Martin and House Martins plus 30+ Swallows. There were 4 Tufted Ducks, 1 Kestrel, 4 Marsh Harriers, 1 Little Egret, 3 Turtle Doves, 2 Pied Wagtails and 2 Little-ringed Plovers. A single Sparrowhawk flushed everything revealing two summer plumaged Golden Plovers and only a small number of Reed and Sedge Warblers were seen. There were several Whitethroats along the river and the first Grey Wagtail of the Autumn was on the riverbank below the Parakeet tree.

(Martyn Wilson & Alan Ashdown)

As this Lapwing's white parts are still white and it's just the normally green parts that are golden/brown, is it leucistic or some other colour variant?

19th August

Birding at Grove Ferry today from 4.50am until 12.15pm, there were 14 Bar-headed Geese from the ramp with two small race Canada Geese! with them, they flew west towards Stodmarsh at 5.37am. At 5.43 2 hybrid Greylag/Canada Geese flew towards Stodmarsh with a singe Barnacle Goose and a Hobby was hunting along Harrison's Drove at 5.39 and again at 10.10am. There was 1 Ruddy Duck, 2 Common Sandpipers, 14 Green Sandpipers, 5 Pochards, 3 Cetti's Warblers and a Little Egret. Four juvenile Marsh Harriers were seen as well as an adult female and an adult male, there were 34 Yellow Wagtails, 1 Kestrel, 39 Canada Geese, 5 Garganey and 4 Ruff (2 with red flags). A few Bearded Tits and Reed Warblers were seen and heard as was 1 or 2 Green Woodpeckers. There were 6 Tufted Ducks, 9 Snipe, 8 Swallows, 3 Grey Herons and 2 juvenile Water Rails. A sizeable House Martin flock was feeding over the reserve with 5 Swifts for company plus 1 or 2 Swallows. Linnets and Reed Buntings were along Harrison's Drove, but no sign of any Whinchats! A single Black-tailed Godwit was outside Green Hide and from the ramp were, 3 Little-ringed Plovers, 1 Pied Wagtail, 2 Stock Doves, 400+ Lapwings and a single Golden Plover. Several Sedge Warblers put in a show, but sadly none with pale crown stipe and streaky backs? One Common Tern flew towards Stodmarsh, a Common Buzzard driffted high over at 9.40, two Turtle Doves were flying over the reedbed and, a female Montagu's Harrier was watched from the ramp flying west along the tree line above Sarre Penn and Chislet Marshes from 11.05 til 11.15 when it was lost to view behind the trees behind the houses on the hill. Was this the Shuart bird??

(Martyn Wilson, Alan Ashdown & Pete Solly)

18th August

Grove Ferry today 4.45 til 8.00am, 15 Green Sandpipers, 1 Wood Sandpiper, 3 Garganey, 4 Ruff, 16 Bar-headed Geese, 10 Yellow Wagtails, 1 Whinchat, 1 Lesser Whitethroat. 2 Common Sandpipers, 1 Corn Bunting, 1 Ringed Plover and 1 Little-ringed Plover.

(Marc Heath)

16th August

I arrived at Grove this morning at 4.30am and walked the reserve until 7.20am. The mornings are starting to get darker now and some time was spent on the ramp in darkness just listening to the birds. Birds noted included: 36 Canada Geese, 1 Hobby at 5.28am, 2 Grey Heron, 3 Ruff, 13 Green Sandpiper, 8 Tufted Duck, 3 Garganey, 16 Bar headed Geese flew towards Stodmarsh early am, 1 Grasshopper Warbler seen well near the White house at 5.55am, c130 Greylag Geese, 9 Cormorant, 10 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Kestrel, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Sparrowhawk, 6 Pochard, 3 Greenshank, 1 Common Sandpiper, 5 Ring necked Parakeet, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Little Egret, 1 Ringed Plover, 1 Ruddy Duck, 1 Kingfisher, good numbers of Reed and Sedge Warbler showing and c120 Lapwings from the Green hide.

(Marc Heath)

The Spotted Crake was seen briefly just after i had left in the dyke near Harrisons hide and Chris Gibbard saw the Crake at 8.30pm.

15th August

I popped in to Grove this morning between 9am - midday in the hope that there might be a few migrants around, namely a Whinchat as i needed this species for my valley year list. With luck on my side i found 3 Whinchat on bushes together in fields near Harrisons hide, this took my valley year list to 153 species. Other birds seen: 3 Green Woodpecker, 7 Marsh Harrier, 1 Great spotted Woodpecker, 1 Ring necked Parakeet heard, 3 Turtle Dove, 3 Greenfinch, 4 Whitethroat, 1 Wigeon, 27 Black headed Gull, 7 Cormorant, 2 Grey Heron, 3 Common Sandpiper, 1 Greenshank, 1 juvenile Little ringed Plover, 11 Green Sandpiper, 27 Canada Geese, 18 Greylag Geese, 16 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Pied Wagtail, 5 Pochard, 3 Mute Swan, 4 Water Rail but again no sign of the Spotted Crake despite a good look, 2 Kestrel, 1 Tawny Owl called briefly at 11.00am in the Orchard near the White house, 1 Chiffchaff and good numbers of juvenile Bearded Tits. Reed and Sedge Warbler continue to be quite numerous with the odd Sand and House Martin going through. David Feast had a Common Buzzard at Grove prior to my arrival.

(Marc Heath)

14th August

After being stuck in the Green hide yesterday morning for hours it was nice to actually have a walk around the reserve, albeit in cloudy conditions. The following birds were seen between 4.45 – 7.30am: 15 Bar headed Geese seen at 5.09 flying towards Stodmarsh, 1 Wood Sandpiper, 12 Green Sandpiper, 20 Canada Geese, 3 Water Rail, no sign of the Spotted Crake in the dyke but I only gave it 15 minutes, 5 Ruff, 7 Tufted Duck, 5 Garganey, 78 Greylag Geese, 1 Greenshank, 32 Yellow Wagtail ( they seemed to be all over the place this morning ), 2 Curlew, 1 Whimbrel, 2 Green Woodpecker, 3 Grey Heron, 16 Cormorant, 4 Snipe, 1 Little Egret, 1 Golden Plover heard, 5 Pochard, 1 Great spotted Woodpecker heard, 5 Mute Swan, 4 Ringed Plover, 1 Redshank, 1 Common Tern, 2 Cetti’s Warbler, quite a few Bearded Tit seen and heard and a few Reed and Sedge Warbler around the reserve. Mallard, Shoveler and Gadwall numbers continue to rise and there were c150 Lapwing present.

(Marc Heath)

13th August

A very wet time birding at Grove Ferry today with nearly six hours stuck in the green hide sheltering from the rain. Arrived at 4.45 with no rain but it started at 5.20 and only let up for an hour or two from 10.30, i left at 1.20pm. Marc managed to connect with the Spotted Crake, albeit briefly, at 6.20, and the bulk of the birds seen were from green hide. Birds logged today were, 1 Spotted Crake, 10 Canada Geese, 16 Green Sandpipers, 8 Snipe, 2 Common Sandpipers 6 Pochard and the 15 Bar-headed Geese flew toward Stodmarsh right on cue just before 6.00. There were 16+ Yellow Wgatails, 2 Wood Sandpipers, 1 Little Egret, 3 Grey Herons, 3 juvenile Shelducks and 6 Ruff (the ringed & ringed and flagged birds still present). The male Kingfisher spent a lot of time on the posts outside the hide, and if the weather had been nicer would have made some excellent photo's, there were 3 Black-tailed Godwits (1 in summer plumage), 6 Marsh Harriers (4 juveniles), a female Sparrowhawk and 8+ Water Rails. A Golden Plover was overhead calling and a Greenshank was at the now wet pool at Harrison's hide. There was an eclipse drake Pintail, 2 Turtle Dove and 1 Kestrel and of note there was a party of 12 Swifts. A quick look from the ramp before leaving revealed, 4 Ringed Plovers, 3 Little-ringed Plovers, a female Wheatear, 1 Ruddy Duck and a juvenile Redshank. A few hirrundines were moving through, Reed and Sedge Warblers were fairly quiet with only 6 or so Bearded Tits and a Green Woodpecker heard.

(Martyn Wilson, Marc Heath & Chris Gibbard)

12th August

Birding Grove today from 4.30am until 1.00pm in usettled conditions with frequent heavy showers and strong northerly winds. I also took a walk to Stodmarsh, only to find none off the promised mud, save for a couple of thin strips on the back edge of the lake! After a couple of weeks of trying I finally came across a Spotted Crake in the dyke that runs parallel with the Harrison's drove, looking north by the two barred fence just before the junction with Harrison's drove comming from the green hide. Brendan came down and connected with it as well. Other birds today were:-  6 Pochards, 10 Green Sandpipers plus two more at Stodmarsh, 11 Snipe, 200 Lapwings 5 Grey Herons, 5 Water Rails plus 3 at Stodmarsh and a Hobby around green hide at 5.20. There were 5 Garganey seen landing in the back, unacessable< pools when flushed by a Marsh Harrier. There were 6 Marsh Harriers (4 juveniles), 2 juvenile Shelducks and 11 Yellow Wagtails. The 16 Bar-headed Geese flew towards Stodmarsh at 5.50 and there were 9 Tufted Ducks, 14 Stock Doves, 3 Little Egrets, and 2 Pied Wagtails but no sign of the chick Ringed Plover or parent, although Brendan heard one flying around. There were several Bearded Tits a few Swallow, House and Sand Martins and a few Reed and Sedge Warblers.  There were 2 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Ruddy Duck, 6 Ruff (2 ringed one of which was also flagged) plus two at Stodmarsh and a Kingfisher at Grove and two more at Stodmarsh. Stodmarsh also had 17 Common Sandpipers, 2 Great crested Grebes, 1 Treecreeper and 1 Common Tern plus there was a Common Sandpiper at Grove. One Cetti's Warbler was heard and a female Wigeon was from the ramp. There was also a very golden looking Lapwing from the ramp, presumed leucistic?.

(Martyn Wilson)

The morning started as it often has in recent weeks with a message from (early bird) Martyn with his latest discovery at Grove Ferry. Today it was a long awaited Spotted Crake. I was soon with Martyn looking up a narrow ditch by Harrison's Drove and after a short wait the bird duly showed as it flew up the ditch and then stalked along the bank. A welcome addition to the year list. I didn't linger long as conditions looked good for sea watching at Reculver and there were already reports of a good skua movment. I returned to the valley later to check out the lagoon at Hersden. Although it was low tide, there was no mud showing and 2 Common Terns were the only birds of note. I spent some time checking out the waste ground around the Industrial estate where there were 20 Whitethroats and a smart looking Lesser Whitethroat

(Brendan Ryan)

11th August

I made my way down to Grove Ferry again this morning arriving at 4.45am and walked the reserve until 7.15am. The following birds were seen on my travels: 3 Grey Heron, 12 Snipe, 9 Green Sandpiper, 1 Black tailed Godwit, 10 Canada Geese, 62 Greylag Geese, 3 Garganey, 5 Tufted Duck, 1 Wood Sandpiper, 2 juvenile Shelduck, 12 Cormorant, 3 Green Woodpecker, 4 Water Rail, 2 Marsh Harrier, 1 Common Tern, 4 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 adult Ringed Plover but no sign of the chick. I spent 20 minutes trying to locate the bird but it did not show although it might have been present in the short vegetation as this is where the adult bird seemed to be standing near. Hopefully it will be seen again over the weekend. Other birds: 2 Little Egret, 1 Greenshank, 5 Pochard, 2 Pied Wagtail, 3 Linnet, 3 Stock Dove, 1 Kestrel and better numbers today of Reed / Sedge Warbler with a few juvenile Bearded Tits Seen.

(Marc Heath)

10th August

The last few mornings must have caught up with me as I did not arrive at Grove until 4.55am, it was still quite dark but the moon shone up the reserve nicely. I made my way to all the hotspots in turn (anywhere there is water really) and saw the following birds before I left for breakfast at 7.30am: 1 Hobby near the Green hide at 5.02am, 14 Bar headed Geese made there usual way down the valley early morning, 17 Green Sandpiper, 9 Snipe, 1 Wood Sandpiper, 3 Garganey, 5 Water Rail, c40 Shoveler, 1 juvenile Great crested Grebe, 4 Marsh Harrier, 5 Little Egret, 1 Pied Wagtail, 15 Greylag Geese, the Ringed Plover chick gladly made it into another day and was well observed by the adult bird, 17 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Kestrel, 6 Pochard, 8 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Peregrine causing chaos amongst the c150 Lapwings, 1 Kingfisher briefly from the Green hide on the post, 2 Curlew towards Stodmarsh, 4 Goldfinch, 3 Green Woodpecker, 1 Shelduck, 4 Linnet, 3 Whitethroat, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, a few Sedge / Reed Warbler attempting to sing in blustery conditions and 5 Beaded Tit concluded a pleasant visit.

(Marc Heath)

9th August

I arrived at Grove this morning at 4.30am and walked the reserve until 7.30am. The following birds were seen: 3 Grey Heron, 19 Green Sandpiper, 3 Ringed Plover including the small chick which continues to remain unknown to the Marsh Harriers, 8 Water Rail, 2 Common Sandpiper, 5 Garganey, 1 juvenile Great crested Grebe, 7 Tufted Duck, 39 Greylag Geese, 16 Bar headed Geese flew noisily over the ramp towards Seaton at 5.36am, c300 Lapwing, 15 Cormorant, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Stock Dove, 3 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Dunlin, 1 Common Tern, 9 Little Egret, 1 Turtle Dove, 2 Whitethroat, 3 Greenfinch, 4 Blue Tit, 2 Green Woodpecker, 2 Marsh Harrier, a reasonable showing of Reed / Sedge Warbler and only a few Bearded Tit heard this morning.

(Marc Heath)

8th August

6pm- 9.20pm Spent the evening doing the Grove Ferry/ Stodmarsh circuit, starting nicely with a smart Wood Sandpiper from the ramp. 4 Green Sandpipers, c. 450 Lapwings and 2 Little Egrets were also present.  From Green Hide, a further 6 Green Sandpipers, 13 Snipe with 2 more flying over, and juv. Water Rail and more Lapwing, Pochards and Teal, 3 Yellow Yagtails and a Greenshank completed the picture at the Grove end. From the Stour pathway, 3 Bullfinch, 2 Turtle dove and a Green Woodpecker were nice.  On the raft at Stodmarsh 2 Common Sandpiper were resting, with 3 Greenshank and 3 Green Sandpipers on the exposed mud at the back.  There were also 3 Avocets resting in amongst the ducks at the back, a species I was not expecting to see, which started actively feeding after a short while, with 9 Ruff and 2 Wood Sandpipers also moving out. Quite a wader-fest! I continued over the bridge and back to the path to Grove, where by the time I reached it, the pools around Green Hide were really a bit too dark for a proper look for Crakes etc.

(Dan Chaney)

I was awake early this morning and made a visit to Grove Ferry arriving at 4.45am. I had a good walk around the reserve until 7.15am and noted the following birds: 2 Grey Heron, 17 Green Sandpiper, 1 Wood Sandpiper, 9 Snipe, 3 Hobby over the Green hide area at 5.12am, 5 Water Rail but no sign of any Spotted Crakes as yet, 2 Cetti’s Warbler, it was pleasing to see 3 Ringed Plover from Harrisons hide including the young chick which continued to run around like a cotton wool ball, 2 Ruff, 10 Canada Geese, 16 Bar headed Geese flew over towards Stodmarsh at 5.35am, 2 Marsh Harrier, 67 Greylag Geese, 4 Garganey, 7 Yellow Wagtail, 3 Dunlin, 8 Tufted Duck, 1 juv Great crested Grebe, 2 Green Woodpecker, 7 Cormorant, 6 Pochard, 3 Pied Wagtail, 1 Ruddy Duck, a few Reed / Sedge Warbler seen and stunning views of the Kingfisher on the post from the Green hide. There was no sign of the Cattle Egret but 10 Little Egrets were seen in the various pools.

(Marc Heath)  

7th August

Birds reported today at Grove Ferry (RBA pager messege): The Cattle Egret again today from the Green hide 8.45 - 9.20am before flying off. Other birds seen: 2 Wood Sandpiper, 4 Green Sandpiper and 14 Little Egrets.

6th August

Birding at Grove between 4.30am & 12.30pm today there were, 19 Green Sandpipers, 2 Wood Sandpipers, 1 Ruff, 19 Little Egrets, 11 Snipe and a Hobby hunting around the green hide at 4.53. There was a juvenile Greenshank outside green hide and later from the ramp, a few Cetti's Warblers were calling and several Reed Warblers were in the trees along Harrison's Drove and a couple of Blackcap and Chiffchaffs were at the White House. There were 6 Pochards, 10 Marsh Harriers (3 males & 7 juveniles), 2 Common Terns, 8 Water Rails, 1 Kingfisher, 2 adult Dunlin and 3 Garganey. The Ringed Plover and chick were still at Harrison's pool and the juvenile Great-crested Grebe was seen from the ramp. There were 9 Tufted Ducks, 3 Golden Plovers, 5 Yellow Wagtails, 10 Canada Geese, 1 Great spotted Woodpecker and a steady passage of Swallows moving west with a few House & Sand Martins for company. A lone Ruddy Duck slept on the dried mud at the ramp and there were 4 juvenile Pied Wagtails, 17 Black-headed Gulls, 1 Jay and several juvenile Linnets. Two Spotted Redshanks flew in at 10.00am, one 0r two Ring-necked Parakeets were heard and a Sparrowhawk flew into the paddock scattering several Woodpigeons. I counted 120 Lapwings until a female Peregrine came through at 12.20 revealing at least 1200 of these green Plovers, also 2 Kestrels were seen.

(Martyn Wilson, Marc Heath & Alan Ashdown)

Knowing that Martyn and Marc would have Grove well covered, I decided to look at some other sites in the valley this morning. I started at Hersden where there was a reasonable selection of waders including 2 Spotted Redshank ( later seen at Grove), 4 Green Sandpipers, one Common Sandpiper, 3 Ruff, one Redshank, One Dunlin  and 57 Lapwing. Also there were a Garganey, 10 Teal, 50 Gadwall, 5 Water Rails, 14 Moorhen, 2 Kingfishers, 236 Black-headed Gulls and 15 Common Terns. In the waste ground near the industrial estate there were 18 Whitethroats, 3 Willow Warblers and a Turtle Dove. A brief look at Collard's revealed nothing worthing of an entry in the notebook and so it was quickly on to Stodmarsh. Here the wood was crawling with warblers, mainly Chiffchaff and family parties of Reed Warblers I arrived at the main lagoon to find lots of muddy margins around the main lagoon. 6 Ruff were present, along with 2 Green Sandpipers and 2 Common Sandpipiers. The biggest surprise was finding the Cattle Egret at the bottom of the cormorant tree. Has this where its been for the last 2 days?

(Brendan Ryan)

5th August

No sign of the Cattle Egret at Grove today but there were 20 Little Egrets. No sign of any Spotted Crakes yet  and 3+hours was spent looking at Baillon's pool today in the hope of seeing a glimpse of one! If Grove dries up any more we may as well give up!. Other birds seen at Grove today were, 2 Wood Sandpipers, 20 Green Sandpipers, 4 Hobbies, 8+ Water Rails, 11Marsh Harriers including eight juveniles and 4 Garganey. There were 2 Common Terns, 7 Pochards, a male Kingfisher, 4 Dunlin (3 adults and a juvenile) and many Sedge Warblers. Sadly no sign of the pale Warbler reported over the past two days. A few Reed Warblers were showing and one or two Cetti's made themselves known by their call. Several Bearded Tits were skimming the reed tops as well as feeding at the bottom of the reeds on the mud. There were 2 Turtle Doves, 4 Bar-headed Geese, 1 Curlew, 2 Common Sandpipers and 9 Tufted Ducks. There were 3 Ringed Plovers ( 2 from ramp and a female with a fluffy chick at Harrison's). Along the river were a family party of 9 Long-tailed Tits, 1 Chiffchaff and 2 Garden Warblers.

(Martyn Wilson, Pete Solly, Brendan Ryan & Dylan Wrathall)

4th August

I made my third trip of the day to Grove tonight between 7.45 - 9.00pm, (I am on holiday for a few weeks if you are wondering) in the hope of connecting with the possible Aquatic Warbler. Conditions were much better with lighter winds but for all my efforts i was only rewarded with a number of Sedge Warblers. Other birds noted were 20 Little Egrets out of the pool near the river at dusk, c10 Green Sandpiper around the reserve, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Greenshank heard and a few snipe.

(Marc Heath)

Took a trip out to Grove Ferry this morning, 0845 - 1130. Water levels are now very low, but I found about 12 Green Sandpipers, 2 Common sandpipers, 2 Greenshank and about 20 Snipe on the various pools. At least three juvenile marsh harriers added some interest ,along with 10 Canada gooes and 78 Greylags. Of particular note was single female Ringed Plover brooding a solitary downy chick in the desert wastes of the Harrisons Drove pool. I watched them for about 20 minutes, during which time the little ball of fluff was very active, running about well away from mum and frequently stopping to peck at something in the dust ( This may have been small flies). What chance this little family has, who knows? But it made me feel quite humble watching mum attentively looking out for junior, both of them coping with the consequences of climate change for which they, at least, are not responsible

(Norman McCanch)

Popped into Grove on way to and back from work. Marc was already there when I arrived in the morning and directed me to the Cattle Egret on its usual pool along Harrison's Grove. It was accompanied by 17 Little Egrets. A wood sandpiper flew over and was probably the one that was in front of the Green Hide earlier and on the Ballion's pool in the evening. Also seen on the various pools were 20 Green Sandpipers, 2 Common Sandpipers, 2 Ringed Plovers, 3 Dunlin, one Greenshank, 2 Ruff and a Golden Plover. Four Garganey landed on the pool in front of the ramp but dissappeared over the back after a short while. 4 Marsh Harriers were in the air together, the most I have seen together for a number of weeks. Lighter winds over the weekend will hopefully help pin down the reported Aquatic Warbler but I would be just as happy to encounter a Whinchat ( for the flagging year list)

(Brendan Ryan)

Birding at Grove this morning between 4.45 – 8am produced the following sightings: 2 Grey Heron, 8 Green Sandpiper, 1 Hobby at 4.55 hawking over the Green hide, 3 Common Tern, 2 Cetti’s Warbler, 3 Water Rail, 9 Snipe, 27 Cormorant. I had just left the Green hide and was walking past the Baillons pool when a group of Egrets flew past from the East including the Cattle Egret. It landed in the pools near the river where it fed with 13 Little Egrets, (Brendan had 17) It was still present there when I departed at 8am. Other birds seen: 1 Green Woodpecker heard, 1 Kestrel, 1 Wood Sandpiper, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Stock Dove, 4 Marsh Harrier, 1 Willow Warbler heard near the White house, 1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Greenshank, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Golden Plover, 1 Ruff, 1 Ruddy Duck, c70 Greylag Geese and good numbers of juvenile Bearded Tit seen with a few Reed and Sedge Warbler as well.

I made a brief second visit between 11 - midday to see what was around. I met Norman McCanch at the ramp and he had seen and heard a 'pale' warbler near the Baillons pool. Maybe this was yesterday's bird that Dylan had seen, With the weekend just around the corner maybe this bird might in fact be the hopeful Aquatic Warbler. I spent the next 30 mins scanning the area only seeing Reed and Sedge Warblers but it was still quite windy. Other birds seen: 2 Common Sandpiper, 2 Green Sandpiper, 1 Marsh Harrier and c10 Little Egrets distantly as i left the reserve.

(Marc Heath)

3rd August

I recieved an Email from Dylan this morning alerting me to a possible Aquatic Warbler that was seen from the Baillons pool. That was enough for me to be tempted to take a look. I arrived at 11.00 in less than ideal conditions, frequent showers and a strong wind. I spent a while scanning the area with no luck but with more people possibly having a look in the next few days, who knows. Other birds seen until midday included: 7 Snipe, 6 Green Sandpiper, 1 Ringed Plover, 2 Grey Heron, c20 Black headed Gull present, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Turtle Dove, 1 Little Egret, 8 Pied Wagtail, 3 Water Rail, 2 Lesser black backed Gull, 1 Greenshank, 2 Marsh Harrier, 1 Wood Sandpiper, 1 Black tailed Godwit, 7 Pochard, c25 Sand Martin present, 2 Mute Swan, 1 Bittern at 11.41 in flight, 1 Common Tern and occasional sightings of Reed and Sedge Warblers with the odd Bearded Tit heard and seen.

(Marc Heath)

I had a quick session down at Grove this morning. Nothing outstanding to report, but I did get very brief views of what was possibly an Aquatic Warbler on the Baillon's Pool. I was standing at the obvious point for viewing the pool, where the reeds are low enough to see the far bank when this bright yellow/buff warbler appeared in the reeds opposite. I am sure that I could see a crown stripe, but the back pattern was not visible. It flew towards me after a few seconds and was lost in the reeds besides the path. I didn't see it again. I had seen several juv Sedge Warblers this morning, none were as vivid as this bird! I am not going to claim it, but if you are going to Grove it might be worth keeping your eyes open.  

(Dylan Wrathall)

2nd August

I arrived at Grove this morning at 4.30am in the hope that there may have been a rare wader on the pools or even a Spotted Crake but neither could be found despite a good search. I had a pleasant walk around the reserve until 7.00am and saw or heard the following birds: 17 Green Sandpiper (11 from the Green hide), 7 Pochard, 2 Water Rail, 2 Cetti’s Warbler, 2 Mute Swan, 9 Snipe, 2 Hobby (1 at 4.51am over the Green hide), 2 Grey Heron, 1 Bittern at 5.07am, There were 9 Little Egrets feeding in the pool near the river but again no sign of the Cattle Egret, though probably still around as Brendan had it last night. Other birds seen included 29 Cormorant, 5 Marsh Harrier including 3 juvenile’s, 4 Common Tern, 1 Black tailed Godwit, 1 Ringed Plover looking lost from Harrisons’ Drove hide in the desert, 9 Greylag Geese, 1 Ruff, 1 Dunlin, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great spotted Woodpecker, 1 Tufted Duck and a few vocal Reed / Sedge Warbler with the occasional Bearded Tit ‘pinging’ over the reeds.

(Marc Heath)

1st August

Blustery conditions made viewing even more frustrating, adding to the problems of dried out pools and wet pools so overgrown that viewing is very restricted. Nevertheless birding was quite productive this evening with a marked increase in sandpiper numbers. A single Wood Sandpiper was on the Ballion's pool and another 4 flew over calling. The pools in the vicinity of the green hide are all showing lots of mud and had small groups of Green Sanpipers. The final total was 38 birds, a big increase on counts in the last few days. Other waders were represented by single Common Sandpiper, Ringed Plover, Ruff, Greenshank and Black-tailed Godwit. The Cattle Egret was located in the pool on Harrison's Drove along with 11 Little Egrets. Later it was in front of the Green hide where I managed to get some shots in fading light. The edges on Ballion's Pool are looking perfect for Spotted Crake at the moment. Its just a shame that most of the best habitat is obscured by reeds. I spent sometime scanning the margins but only saw Water Rails but any day now!

(Brendan Ryan)

Birding at Grove today between 4.45 - 7.15am in overcast conditions produced: 4 Hobby at 4.59am hawking over the ramp area, 3 Robin, 1 Grey Heron, 4 Cetti's Warbler, 4 Wren, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Bullfinch, 5 Magpie, 8 Little Egret but no sign of the Cattle Egret, 4 Black tailed Godwit, 3 Marsh Harrier including 2 juvenile's, 7 Pochard, 2 Mute Swan, a surprise was when a flock of 15 Bar headed Geese flew in noisily and landed in the back pools before departing at 7.02am in the Seaton direction, also 18 Green Sandpiper, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Ruff, 11 Snipe, 18 Cormorant, 3 Water Rail, 2 Common Tern, 1 Wood Sandpiper, 22 Lapwing, 1 Dunlin, 1 Jay, 1 Yellow Wagtail, c10 Bearded Tit, 4 Lesser black backed Gull, 2 Greenshank, 4 Stock Dove, 2 Common Sandpiper, 1 Kingfisher and a few vocal Reed and Sedge Warbler were noted. Only a lone Swift was seen and a couple of House Martins passing through.

(Marc Heath)