February Sightings

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                            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   

Photo Gallery

  Number of species recorded in the valley this year so far = 109

29th February

I popped out to Grove this morning for a quick walk round the'circuit'.   From the ramp there were 170+ Golden Plover, c200 Lapwing, 3 Black-tailed Godwit, 4 Redshank, 1 Spotted Redshank (heard), 10 Ruff and 7 Dunlin.  About a dozen Snipe were feeding out on the exposedmud and a single Green Sandpiper was reported.  Ducks were present in good numbers.  The Harrison Drove area looked superb, but was strangely deserted.  Some 50 Meadow Pipit dipped and dived as I crossed the wet fields, but there was only a single definite Water Pipit present.  However, the new shallow pools that now dot the meadows may well have dispersed the birds as several distant' probables' were seen.  At least 4 Marsh Harriers were present, but there were probably more since they seemed to be taking turns to fly round!   The larches had at least 8 Siskin, a couple of  Great-spotted Woodpeckers and the usual assemblage of tits & goldcrests.  Along theriver the was a single Little Egret and a ball park guess suggests at least 10 Cetti's were vocally proclaimng their presence.Like others, I was impressed by the amount of management work that had been carried out  since my last visit.  Just about every field was dotted with newly excavated shallow pools, ditches gently profiled,newly formed "crake pools" in the reedbed and some of the larger pools cleared and cleaned up.  Spring promises to be interesting!
(John Cantelo)

28th February

I had a few hours in and around the valley this afternoon. I first visited Grove Ferry where once again work was in progress. Natural England have cleared some of the reeds from the right hand pool so a good view can now be had, hopefully this will remain like this. Also more trees have been cut out in the reeds allowing good views all over the reserve. On the bird front I noted 3 Dunlin, c10 Snipe, 136 Golden Plover, 1 Pheasant, 10 Ruff, 3 Marsh Harrier, 1 Common Buzzard drifted over high towards Seaton, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Long tailed Tit, 1 Spotted Redshank and 1 Grey Heron. 1 Little Egret flew over, 1 Stonechat, 1 Bullfinch and 1 Goldcrest along the entrance track. I made a brief visit to check out the Gull roost at Westbere but only managed to find c300 Black headed Gulls and the odd Common Gull. 7 Canada Geese were on the main lake, c22 Tufted Duck, 4 Great crested Grebe, 1 Great spotted Woodpecker, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Chiffchaff and 2 Bullfinch.

(Marc Heath)

27th February

I had a brief drive past Grove Ferry last night and was rewarded with the first Long eared Owl of the year.

(Marc Heath)

A brief look at Collard's late morning produced 18 Goldeneye, 50 Tufted Duck, 5 Pochard, 66 Wigeon and a Marsh Harrier. At Cow Corner there were 4 Canada Geese and 10 Fieldfare with another 90 Fieldfares near Stodmarsh Court Farm

(Brendan Ryan)

24th February

I spent the morning at Grove in the company of Craig Sammels, an ex Thanet birder who now lives in Cambridge. A sad loss to Kents birdwatching comunity! A Ringed Plover was calling in the dark before light broke through but was not located after dawn broke. The 4 adult Bewick's Swans were again on the main pool and there were 71 Mute Swans, 1 Shelduck, 1 Hen Harrier, 6 Marsh Harriers, 2800 Lapwings 84 Golden Plovers,3 Cetti's Warblers and a couple each of Feildfare and Rewing over. There were, 5 Redshanks, 2 Black-tailed Godwits, 9 Ruff, 2 Little Egrets, 3 Pochards and 2 Tufted Ducks. A Water Pipit and 3 Pied Wagtails were at Harrison's and several Meadow Pipits in the new workings behind Harrison's. Also today were, 1 Little Grebe, 2 Stonechats, 3 Pintail. 6 Wigeon, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Jays and 18 Snipe.

(Martyn Wilson & Craig Sammels)

I had a lie in this morning and woke up at 5am! I made my way over to Stodmarsh to see if any Owls were calling and I managed 5 Tawny and 2 Little Owls. As the light started to appear I parked up in Trenley Park wood where in the past a Lesser spotted Woodpecker has been seen but on this occasion no joy but it was nice to appreciate the dawn chorus as it started. I went on to Stodmarsh where I noted 1 Grey Heron, c300 Jackdaw noisily passing over, 1 ring tail Hen Harrier, 5 Cetti's Warbler, 5 Canada Geese were on the main lake before departing towards Grove and 3 Marsh Harrier were seen. A few Ducks were on the lake including c40 Gadwall, c10 Great crested Grebe, 8 Pintail, c35 Pochard. 3 Water Rail called, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Jay, 15 Fieldfare and 1 Little Egret concluded my visit.

(Marc Heath)

I started at Cow Corner early afternoon, where there were 6 Canada Geese along with 114 Greylags. A small group of about 40 Fieldfares there and another  group of 120 birds in the orchards above Stodmarsh suggests that they might be on the move. Next call was at Collard's where there were 16 Goldeneye including 9 drakes. Also there were 46 Wigeon, 68 Tufted Duck and a flock of 450 Wood Pigeons. On to Stodmarsh were there was little passerine activity but good numbers of duck including 126 Tufted Duck, 54 Shoveler, 83 Gadwall, 6 Pintail, 52 Pochard and 8 Gt-cr Grebes. Finally at Grove the 2 Black-tailed Godwits were still present along with 960 Lapwings, 102 Golden Plover single Ruff and Redshank and 5 Shelduck. I walked to Harrison's Drove for the first time in months and saw 3 Stonechats but was staggered about the work that Natural England had done in the area of Ballion's pool. We have not been deperately complementary on this site about the lack of habitat management at Grove but this was really impressive. Well done Natural England.

(Brendan Ryan)

23rd February

A brief visit to Grove late morning produced 2 Black-tailed Godwits, 66 Golden Plover, 6 Redshank, 9 Ruff, 480 Lapwing and a single Shelduck. At Collard's there were 15 Goldeneye including 8 drakes but only 21 Tufted Duck and 24 Wigeon.

(Brendan Ryan)

After a couple of weeks away it was nice to get back to normality,seeing so many birds is just to much (not), and bird the valley. I met Marc and Alan in the layby near the boathouse at 5.30am to listen for Partridge and sure enough just before 6.00 one Grey Partridge started calling. Marc as usual had been out since about midnight and had recorded 3 Tawny & 4 Little Owls already. Then it was on to the ramp and the two hides at Grove. My biggest suprise was the amount of work that has been carried out on the reserve, after years of moaning and hard work doing any kind of observing, perhaps we might now get some decent views of plenty of birds. At the reserve today were 4 Bewick's Swans, 109 Mute Swans, 4 Shelducks, 1 Curlew, 5 Marsh Harriers, 1 Hen Harrier, 2 Kingfihers and 8 Pied Wagtails. There were, 2 Stonechats, 3 Redshanks, 5 Tuff, 75 Golden Plovers, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Green Woodpeckers and 2 Tufted Ducks. Also today were, 15 Snipe, 1 Little Grebe, 1 Little Egret, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Water pipit, 3 Grey Herons, 2 Black-tailed Godwits, a Peregrine, a Kestrel and several singing Skylarks as well as light passageof Fieldfare and Redwing and a few Meadow Pipits. As Alan and I were leaving Brendan was just arriving and he too was amazed at the work that had been done at the reserve.

(Martyn Wilson, Marc Heath & Alan Ashdown)

22nd February

An adult Kittiwake was present in the gull roost at Westbere this evening, whilst earlier a Black-tailed Godwit flew over the main lake at Westbere and 19 Grey Herons were together on the water meadows south of Westbere looking like they might be local breeders. A few other bits included 4 Lesser Redpolls, 5 Siskins, 2 Chiffchaffs, c20 Cetti’s Warblers, 4 Water Rails and a Treecreeper. There were 5 Goldeneye on Fordwich Lakes yesterday.

(Tim Hodge)

I had a few hours wandering around the valley this afternoon. First stop was Cow corner which held 111 Greylag Geese, 6 Canada Geese, 2 Mistle Thrush, 2 Redwing, 1 Fieldfare and 1 Grey Heron. Onwards to check out Collards which had 11 Goldeneye ( 4 drakes), 14 Wigeon, 27 Coot, 16 Tufted Duck and 11 Stock Dove. Stodmarsh was next on the list and bumping into Alan Ashdown on the way who had earlier seen c20 Siskin, 5 Marsh Harrier, 2 Treecreeper and 1 Kingfisher, we also noted 13 Pintail, 47 Shoveler, 38 Pochard, 37 Tufted Duck, 11 Great crested Grebe, 141 Black headed Gulls on the main lake, 2 Marsh Harrier, 1 Sparrowhawk and 1 Shelduck. The last visit was an hour at the ramp at Grove Ferry where work continues to happen and the place is starting to look very good. Birds noted here were 42 Greylag Geese, 1 Marsh Harrier, 4 Pied Wagtail, 1 Little Egret, 2 Grey Heron, c230 Golden Plover, a few Reed Buntings in song, 10 Gadwall, 1 Kingfisher, c600 Lapwing, 21 Shoveler and 8 Ruff.

(Marc Heath)

20th February

I was dropped off at Grove Ferry again for a few hours at 9.30am. The valley was carpeted in thick fog and it was going to be down to the ears today to get any birds. The workforce could be heard by the ramp so I decided to walk the river before visiting Harrisons and then the Green hide. The following was heard and a few seen: 2 Great spotted Woodpecker, 1 Green Woodpecker, 5 Greenfinch, 5 Great Tit, 8 Cetti's Warbler, 4 Bullfinch, 4 Wren, 1 Grey Heron, 3 Water Rail and c200 Teal. 2 Little Owls were heard calling from behind Harrisons in the direction of the black barn at 10.21am, 4 Bearded Tit, 1 Pheasant, 2 Stonechat, 1 Pied Wagtail, 7 Meadow Pipit, 3 Redshank, 1 Green Sandpiper from Harrisons apparently limping, 3 Tufted Duck, 2 Gadwall, 2 Marsh Harrier, 1 ring tail Hen Harrier flew out of the fog over the Green hide, 1 Kingfisher and 1 Snipe.

(Marc Heath)

18th February

With the school break this week, I was dropped off at Grove Ferry for 3 hours and left to wander in brilliant sunshine. The work party of 9 people were busy building the observation pool next to the ramp and all of Grove was still frozen over. Bird numbers were obviously down but I managed to log the following: c25 Snipe, 1 Jay, 4 Marsh Harrier including some excellent displaying acrobatics, c10 Meadow Pipit, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Little Owl basking in the sunshine, 9 Ruff and 4 Skylark in song. 3 Mistle Thrush were seen, 2 Sparrowhawk, 1 Stonechat, 1 Redshank, 1 Shelduck, 1 Kestrel, 1 Pied Wagtail, 1 Spotted Redshank was again on the main pool, 1 Dunlin, 2 Bullfinch, c300 Lapwing, c120 Golden Plover, Reed Buntings were in fine song around the reserve and the usual mix of Blue and Long tailed Tits were encountered along the walk. 1 Goldcrest was heard and panic was caused by a presumed Saker Falcon ( ID appreciated ) with jesses on which passed through on its way towards Pegwell. I met Phil Smith on the ramp and he had seen 1 Firecrest near the Tower hide at Stodmarsh and 1 Bittern from the Reedbed hide.

(Marc Heath)

17th February

Perfect conditions for winter birding, cold, sunny with no wind,. It was great to be back out in the valley after a cuple of weeks away. I started early at the ramp where Marc was already in position. The Bewick's could be heard from thier hidden pool but it wasn't until around 8 o/c that 7 adults emerged and flew off towards Sarre. The Corn Bunting roost continues to increase as the winter progresses and at least 100 departed and flew off west.The main lagoon was frozen so there wasn't a great deal to see apart from 6 Ruff, 5 Golden Plover and a single Stonechat. A single Hen Harrier and 3 Marsh Harriers past through from the Stodmarsh roost. Next call was Collard's which was completely ice free. Highlight was 15 Goldeneye including 6 drakes. Other ducks included 78 Tufted duck, 106 shoveler, 33 Pochard, and 7 Pintail. Wigeon numbers were well down with less than 50 present. 2 Marsh Harriers and 9 Gt-cr Grebes were also present. The main lake at Stodmarsh was mostly frozen, giving a good opportunity to count the duck loafing on the ice. These included 900 Teal, 270 Mallard, 4 Pintail, 7 Pochard and 5 Shelduck. There were also 6 Gt-cr Grebes, 3 Marsh Harriers and a Sparrow Hawk. Final stop was at Cow Corner where there were 5 Canada Geese, 77 Greylags and a single Marsh Harrier

(Brendan Ryan)

16th February

The morning started off with me sitting in the car at 4.30am listening for Long eared Owls but with no joy. I did manage 6 Tawny and 4 Little Owls for my efforts elsewhere in the valley. 2 Grey Partridge were again calling on the corner by the boathouse at Grove. Arriving at the ramp in semi darkeness I was soon joined by Phil and between us we noted the following: 5 Shelduck, 2 Water Rail, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 3 Grey Heron, 29 Fieldfare, 2 Redwing, 131 Mute Swans flew towards Sarre and at 7.40am the 11 adult Bewick's Swans left their roost. 1 ring tail Hen Harrier passed through, 6 Marsh Harrier, 5 Meadow Pipit, 21 Corn Bunting, 6 Pied Wagtail, 11 Greylag Geese, 10 Ruff, 4 Yellowhammer passed over the ramp and 10 Wigeon flew into the main pool. 2 Ring necked Parakeet were by the river, 4 Tufted Duck, 4 Shoveler, 2 Bearded Tit and a few hundred Lapwing and c80 Golden Plover. We then drove down to Stodmarsh were we added 2 Treecreeper, 2 Marsh Harrier, 15 Pintail on the main lake, a few Great crested Grebe were displaying and in the alder wood only 1 Siskin was noted. I made a second visit to Grove Ferry early afternoon, not that much different to earlier with the exception of 1 Spotted Redshank and 2 Redshank from the main pool.

(Marc Heath & Phil Parker)

15th February

I spent an hour at Grove Ferry tonight after work checking the ramp and the Green hide. Work was in progress around the reserve which made the bird life a little hard to find. c200 Golden Plover were on the main pool along with a few hundred Lapwings and the usual Ducks. From the Green hide c40 Teal were feeding along with some Gadwall and Mallard, 1 Little Grebe, 1 Marsh Harrier passed over, 2 Snipe and 1 Green Woodpecker.

(Marc Heath)

11th February

I made a visit to Grove Ferry after work, specifically to visit the Green hide to practice with the camera. On arrival lots of work was in progress, the new observation pool was busily being constructed, more trees have been cut down in the reedbed, the 'Baillons' pool has had the reeds moved from the near bank making for a clear view and some small crake pools have been made where they used to be, excellent news. If these areas are maintained and not left to over grow again this will make for some super birding, hopefully. Arriving at the Green hide for an hour the following were observed: 2 Marsh Harrier, 1 Little Grebe, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Little Egret, c55 Corn Bunting into roost, 4 Snipe, a few Fieldfare, c20 Teal, a few Coots, Mallard, Lapwing and a couple of Bearded Tit heard in the brilliant sunshine.

(Marc Heath)

10th February

In contrast to yesterday when Owls were plentiful, they were hard to find this morning. In good but somewhat colder conditions I only heard 2 Tawny and 2 Little Owls. I stopped in the layby by the boathouse where a few weeks ago I thought I heard Grey Partridge. Luckily this time there was no traffic and it was pleasing to add 2 calling Grey Partridge to the year list. I moved on to Grove and was soon joined by Alan for a couple of hours before I left for home. Birds encountered this morning were 7 Marsh Harrier, 1 ring tail Hen Harrier, c30 Fieldfare, 33 Greylag Geese, 49 Corn Bunting out of roost, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 6 Little Egret, 5 Redwing and 1 Kingfisher. There was at least 7 Bewick's Swans out with 97 Mute Swan and in my urgency to scan for the wandering Whooper Swan I suspect the other 4 Bewick's were in this flock but I did not see them. 1 Sparrowhawk drifted over, 1 Water Rail, c50 Golden Plover on the main pool, 2 Goldfinch, 1 Redshank, 7 Ruff, 2 Bullfinch, 1 Green Woodpecker, c300 Lapwing and the usual Blue and Great Tits accompanied by Reed Bunting, Chaffinch, Greenfinch and the ever alert Magpies. Alan continued for most of the morning and added 1 Common Buzzard over the ramp at 11.55am, 2 Water Pipit and 2 Little Grebe from the Green hide

(Marc Heath & Alan Ashdown)

"A late afternoon walk round the circuit at Stodmarsh produced all the 'usual suspects' including 2 Chiffchaffs & 4 Water Pipits.  Reaching the Lampen Wall a little later than expected, I had 5+ Marsh Harriers, 2 Hen Harriers (one ringtail and an adult male) and a Barn Owl."
(John Cantelo)

9th February

For once this year, I arrived in the valley at 4.45am with the weather conditions on my side which made for some good Owl listening. I noted an impressive 10 Tawny Owls with 4 Little Owls as a supporting cast. Arriving back at Grove Ferry at 6.15am I was joined a little later by Pete and then Phil. We stayed for a while before the machines got working in the reeds. Birds noted were 11 Bewick's Swan's again from the main pool, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Water Rail, 7 Fieldfare, 5 Redwing, 6 Shelduck, 2 Pintail, 18 Corn Bunting, 86 Mute Swans, 4 Marsh Harrier, 1 Little Egret, 1 Kingfisher and the usual array of Ducks and Lapwing from the main pool. Pete moved onto Harrisons and Phil and I went to Stodmarsh where we met Alan and Steve and noted c4 Treecreeper, 4 Siskin, 2 Lesser Redpoll, 3 Great spotted Woodpecker, 2 Marsh Harrier and 1 Bullfinch. Spring appeared to have arrived with singing Robin's, Blue and Great Tits and Long tailed Tits busily chasing each other. Reed Buntings were announcing themselves and a good number of Black headed Gulls were on the main lake. Prior to my arrival Alan had seen 4 Shelduck, 5 Marsh Harrier and 1 Tawny Owl calling at dawn from the car park at Stodmarsh.

(Marc Heath, Phil Parker, Pete Solly, Alan Ashdown & Steve Ashton)

7th February

A brief visit to Grove Ferry after work in for once, sunny conditions was not that productive. Work was being carried out on the new observation pool and a few reeds were burning in the distance. Some more trees have been cut down from the main pool which will hopefully allow better viewing conditions, just hope that the right hand pool is made viewable so the birds can be seen. c50 Corn Bunting were seen and tried to land in their usual tree which was now not there. Other birds included 2 Marsh Harrier, 1 Little Egret, c100 Golden Plover, c15 Pied Wagtail, c400 Fiedfare, 15 Mute Swan, 2 Ruff, 2 Cetti's Warbler, c350 Lapwing and 1 Bullfinch.

(Marc Heath)

6th February

Very quiet at Grove ferry this morning, with the area around the Turf field hide resembling a building site. Birds of note were Green Woodpecker, 1 Marsh Harrier, a few Golden Plover, 5 Tufted Duck, 2 Long-tailed Tits, a pair of Common Snipe, and that was about it. The landscape has certainly changed since I last visited the reserve on the weekend!
(Steve Ashton & Mike Gould)

3rd February

I only had a couple of hours this morning at Grove and spent some time hiding from the strong winds from the ramp before retiring to the Green hide to shelter. 5 Marsh Harrier were seen around the reserve along with 1 ring tail Hen Harrier. The 11 adult Bewick's swans were present again from the main pool before leaving in small groups at 7.30am. Other birds noted included 1 Bittern seen in flight flying towards the river, 2 Ruff, 2 drake Wigeon, 2 Tufted Duck, 1 Stonechat, a few Fieldfare out of roost plus the usual Teal, Lapwings, Shoveler and Gadwall. 2 Shelduck were seen along with a handful of Golden Plover and c40 Mute Swans flew out of the back pools.

(Marc Heath)

Birds seen at Stodmarsh this morning other than the commoner species included 3 Pintail, 6 Shelduck, 3 Bullfinch, 2 Lesser Redpoll, c7 Siskin and 5 Marsh Harrier.

(Alan Ashdown)

2nd February

A rather quiet morning in the valley spent in the company of Phil and Pete. After a few weeks of looking for Barn Owls at dusk, one bird managed to find me. I has just set up the tripod on the ramp and looked around the screen to see a Barn Owl hunting over the reedbed. Luckily Phil was walking down the track and was able to see the bird before it dissapeared towards Hersden. Other birds logged this morning until 10.30am included 11 adult Bewick's Swans until 7.50am, 4 Ruff, 1 Water Rail, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 5 Marsh Harrier, 101 Mute Swans, 2 Stonechat and 1 Sparrowhawk. There was 2 Pochard, 1 Tufted Duck, 2 Water Pipit, 2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Bullfinch, c30 Golden Plover and c400 Lapwing.

(Marc Heath, Phil Parker & Pete Solly)