February Sightings

Sightings can be Emailed to:

      Martyn Wilson - martynwilson@talktalk.net

  Brendan Ryan -  brendan.ryan@yahoo.co.uk

  Marc Heath - Heathym007@aol.com   

Stodmarsh NNr latest news here

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Grove Ferry river trips visit here. March 2010 launch date

27th February

A very damp and windy day at Grove Ferry with frequent squally showers but, warmer tempratures than of late. Alan drove to Stodmarsh and made the best of the day at Marsh hide while I went to the ramp where I was joined by Mark Chidwick just after 8.00am. Birds today were, 18 Shelduck, 5 Cetti's Warblers, 26 Gadwall, 2 Wigeon, 9 Tufted Ducks, 8 Marsh Harriers, 2 Hen Harriers (1 male), 2 Kingfishers, 18 Shovelers and and adult summer Mediterranean Gull that flew west with a large mixed flock of Gulls at 7.50am. Several Skylark were in song and there were 2 Grey Herons, at least 6 Bitterns (3 at Grove and 3+ from marsh hide), 3 Sparrohawks, 2 Pochards, 14 Common Snipe, 1 Dunlin, 1 Common Buzzard and 1 Stonechat. Also there were 5 Little Egrets at marsh hide while at Harrison's there were 18 Water Pipits and 11 Meadow Pipits also a couple of Water Rails heard but none seen.. At 10.50am the day was utterly ruined for Tim Gustell and me when one totally anal ****wit in a bright yellow coat decided to walk down the tracks left by the excavator, with his black Labrador right in front of green hide flushing everything that was there! Not even an appology when comfronted, perhaps Narural England could put tape across the opening of to prevent further infringement of the reedbed. Maybe some well placed signs to let the general public know that it is in fact a nature reserve and to keep their dogs, and themselves, under control and, also remind cyclists to dismount through the reserve. Amongst the usual wildfowl on Collard's there were 10 Goldeneye (4 drakes), the Little Owl was still at Sodmarsh Court Farm and there were 12 Canada Geese at Cow Corner.

(Martyn Wilson)

23rd February

I made a couple of visits to Grove Ferry today, both before and after uni. Birds noted were 10 Shelduck, 5 Pintail, 23 Greylag Geese, 32 Wigeon, 36 Gadwall, 7 Snipe, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Stonechat, 5 Tufted Duck, 8 Mute Swan, 5 Water Pipit from the main pool, 4 Sparrowhawk together displaying, 2 Marsh Harrier, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Bittern in flight which landed on the back pools, c100 Teal and c400 Lapwing. A quick look in the green hide later afternoon in heavy rain produced little but noted were 9 Tufted Duck, 3 Pochard, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 13 Wigeon, c100 Fieldfare, 3 Marsh Harrier and 1 male Hen Harrier flew towards Stodmarsh.

(Marc Heath)

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21st February

With another early start and to the sound of many pre-spring choristers, I met Marc Heath & Mark Chidwick at the gate made a start to a cold damp & wet birding day at Grove. Three Woodcocks were seen coming of the fields into their daytime roost in the paddocks. Birds noted from the ramp, the green hide and in between today were, 7 Marsh Harriers, 9 Corn Buntings, 11 Shelduk, 12 Tufted Ducks, 480 Teal, 20 Wigeon, 6 Linnets and 527 Lapwings. There were at least 4 Bitterns with 1 out north at 6.20 am, 1 out east at 6.27am and 2 showing at the green hide when flushed by a rather large Mink. The 2 adult Whooper Swans left the back pools at 7.28 with 4 Mute Swans close behind and the adult and subadult Bewicks shortly after, all headed towards Chislet. There were 2 Kingfishers, 1 Jay, 2 Snipe, 3 Sparrowhawks, 4 Water Rails, 1 adult male Hen Harrier, 3 Bearded Tits and 1 Pochard. Marc H left early but Dylan, Brendan, Tim plus Steve Ashton & Mike Gould all spent some time in the Grove area while Alan Ashdown watched at Stodmarsh. I finally caught up with the single Dunlin as it came to the Turf Fields pools (in front of the Feast hide) before heading back out shortly after plus a single Redshank made a couple of appearances as did a female Stonechat. A party of 8-10 Long-tailed Tits came past the hide with 2 Blue Tits in tow but again no Penduline. A single female Pintail was on the main pool as I left. Click on either picture below to see more of the male Hen Harrier pictures taken yesterday & today plus other Stour Valley bird photo's.

(Martyn Wilson)

I fancied a change from sitting in the hide waiting for the Penduline Tit to show, so I started the day at Westbere, which was largely frozen. On the small areas of open water there were 35 Tufted Duck, 9 Pochard and 15 Gt-cr Grebes. A brief stop at Collard’s where the only open water was obscured by the trees, however, I did manage to glimpse 10 Goldeneye including 5 drakes through the foliage. At Grove it was the usual story of Bitterns and lots of talk about shutter speeds and aperture settings

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20th February

A rather languid session at the Ferry today with most time spent in the green (David Feast) hide in the congenial company of Dylan Wrathal plus, Brendan, Tim Gutsell and Mark Chidwick at varying times. On arrival at 5.50am the was plenty of bird song including Blackbird, Song Thrush, Robin, Wren and, conspific marsh dwellers as Lapwing, Snipe and Greylag Goose!! From the ramp birds noted were, 1 Bittern 2 Cettis Warblers, several Teal, 400+ Lapwing, 9 Marsh Harriers, 1 adult male Hen Harrier, 8 Corn Buntings, 1 Grey Wagtail, 6 Shelduck, 29 Wigeon and 3 Linnets. Wild Swans could be heard calling intermitently from the back pools but there identity and number were not revealed until the much later than usual time of 7.50am and they were, 2 adult Whoopers and 1 adult and 1 sub-adult Bewick's heading out toward chislet marshes. Also 1 Little Egret and a couple of Water Rails were heard. From the hide where the pool was frozen over with just 2 Mute Swans at the back edge in their own ice free portion. Teal, Lapwing and Marsh Harriers were encountered from the hide plus several sightings of at least 2 Bitterns, 1 Sparrowhawk, the (or another) male Hen Harrier and a lone male Bullfinch in a bush near the river plus 1 or 2 Bearded Tits. Tim and Mark had another Bittern and a ringtail Hen harrier on the wanderings plus, 14 Shelduck on Stodmarsh lake, a good number here and a pair of Sparrowhawks. No sign of the Penduline Tit that Walmer Wildlifes' Steve Rayneart along with Steve Ashton had seen yesterday but, a close showy Water Rail kept us amused and a Little Owl called from over by the farm near the lone Oak.

(Martyn Wilson)

In addition to the birds recorded at Grove by Martyn, at Collard’s there were 28 Tufted Duck, 450 Wigeon and 11 Goldeneye plus a Bittern. I returned to Grove in the afternoon where Marc’s Dunlin from earlier in the week had reappeared in front of the Green Hide and there were 58 Wigeon and 5 Pintail from the ramp.

18th February

In contrast to yesterday's sunshine, I was dropped off at Grove Ferry at 11am in cloudy and rainy conditions where I spent a few hours on the reserve. The new hide had been erected by the dipping pond and the digger had been busy in that area making a small pool. Baillons pool had also been opened up, good to see some work taking place. It would be nice to see the right hand pool opened up as well as the digger is in to give better views as this is still almost unviewable (Natural England, take note). Anyway, birds noted today were 3 Marsh Harrier, 6 Wigeon, 7 Pintail, 16 Black headed Gull, 7 Shelduck, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Common Gull, 3 Cetti's Warbler, 23 Gadwall and 15 Tufted Duck. There were 2 Stonechat from the hide with a nice male posing on the Kingfisher post, also 2 Water Rail, 3 Pochard, 2 Snipe, 10 Mute Swan, 1 Dunlin distantly from the green hide, 1 Water Pipit, 24 Greylag Geese, 1 Canada Goose, 1 Skylark, 1 Bittern landed in the reeds close to the hide but remained hidden, 1 Grey Heron, c200 Teal and a few Fieldfare flying over the reserve.

(Marc Heath)

15th February

I arrived at a very cold Grove Ferry this morning at 5.50am, with the car reading -2 degrees. No sound of any Owls but 5 Woodcock were noted as I walked alng the entrance track to the ramp. I spent some time on the ramp with a quick visit to the Green hide. Birds noted were 1 Bittern, 3 Grey Heron, 4 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Barn Owl showed near the river at 6.35am for a few minutes, 3 Water Rail, c270 Cormrant out, 8 Marsh Harrier, 3 Hen Harrier including 2 males, 3 Green Woodpecker, 4 Mute Swan, 5 Corn Bunting, 10 Wigeon, 1 Great spotted Woodpecker, c250 Lapwing and c70 Teal. The Green (Feast) hide was relatively bird less with the exception of 2 Snipe that a Sparrowhawk flushed. I met Norman McCanch in the hide who had just seen the 2 adult Whooper Swans flying out with 4 Bewick's Swans. Other bits today were 1 Water Pipit, 1 Yellowhammer and a last look at the ramp on the way out revealed the first Dunlin of the year on the ice with the Teal and Lapwing.

(Marc Heath)

14th February

I arrived at Grove Ferry this morning to the sound of a Long-eared Owl calling from within the Paddock and was soon joined by Mark Chids and Marc Heath but, the Owl had stopped calling. Walking the entrance path 2 Woodcocks flew past and a 3rd was later seen flying south over the river and landing in the Paddock (11.30ish). Also today there were, 5 Shelducks, 12 Marsh Harriers, 2 Hen Harriers (adult & imm males), 10 Snipe, 680 Teal, 4 Bitterns, 5 Water Rails and 378 Lapwings. There were, 5 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Little Egrets, 4 Corn Buntings, 1 Great-spotted Woodpecker (drumming), 2 Stonechats and a couple of Bearded Tits were heard. A little time spent in the green (David Feast) hide but, no sign today of the female Penduline Tit, not by 10.00am anyway. Interesting fact today was, while Mark, Marc myself and one other chap were sat in "the David Feast hide" from 7.20-10.00am, a pager message informed us of a female scaup that was showing well at 7.25am???? where? the four of us had met no other birders and niether of us had made the report as, there was NO Scaup!! very odd. Other birds noted were, 3 Sparrowhawks, 17 Meadow Pipits, 11 Tufted Ducks, 4 Pochards, 4 Wigeon, 46 Gadwall and, at 8.20, as Marc was leaving he had a Bewick's Swan out towrds Chislet. There was 1 Redshank, 2 Pied Wagtails, 1 Grey Heron, several Fieldfares in the surrounding fields and, at Harrison's Drove hide ther were 20 Water Pipits. A stop at Collard's on the way home revealed the adult female Scaup still present, 4 drake Pintails no ducks?, 11 Goldeneye (3 drakes), 112 Pochard, 49 Tufted Ducks, 1 redhead Goosander plus Wigeon, Shoveler, Gadwall and Teal. After a quick text, Sue Morton came and successfully twitched the Scaup, her first in the valley since 1985. There were two Common Buzzards very high above the radio mast participating a little bit of courtship display.

(Martyn Wilson)

13th February

Not much of a report today as, the intention was to sit it out in the Green hide (now known as the 'David Feast' hide) in hope of catching a glimpse! of the Penduline Tit. A few bits noted were, 2 Pintail, 8 Shelduck, 5 Marsh Harriers, 1 male Hen Harrier and plenty of Teal from the ramp. No sign of any wild Swans so on to the hide where Phil, Marc and I joined a slightly lame Mark Chidders to tarry until Remiz pendulinus show time. From the hide we noted 9 Tufted Ducks 4 Pochards,1 Snipe, 2 Bitterns, a small flock of Long-tailed Tits and at 9.30am the female Penduline Tit showed up. She was seen well, if not a little distantly, along the dyke that runs in front of the hide until 10.00am and not seen again by the time Tim G and I left at 11.30am. There was a single Redshank on the mud, several more Teal and a Sparrowhawk flew under the hide windows just a couple of feet from where we were all perched, giving the ducks a bit of consternation.

(Martyn Wilson)

12th February

I had a couple of hours at Grove Ferry before work this morning. There were a few visiting birders and no doubt, the reserve will get its fair share over the weekend if the Penduline Tit hangs around. I spent most of the time in the Green (Feast) hide and was joined a little later by John Cantelo. Birds seen were 4 Marsh Harrier, 1 ring tail Hen Harrier, c40 Wigeon towards Stodmarsh, 4 Pintail, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 8 Tufted Duck, 3 Pochard, 3 Water Rail, 12 Mute Swan, 1 Bittern in flight, 2 Grey Heron and c150 Teal. The female Penduline Tit was reported again from the Feast hide at 1.20pm per the RBA pagers.

(Marc Heath)

11th February

The day started off well when the school was forced to shut due to the heavy snow so I decided to try to make it over to Grove to see if the Penduline Tit would show again. I finally arrived after a few slides having noted c8000 Fieldfare feeding at Chislet. I made my way to the Feast hide in ankle deep snow and as I opened the door at 10.45am, Steve Ashton had just found the female Penduline Tit which was showing well on reed mace to the left hand side of the hide. It showed well for c4 minutes before dropping down and out of site and despite a good search of the areas for an hour or so, we could not relocate it. I managed some better shots today of the Penduline Tit which was pleasing as did Steve Ashton, those excellent photos of the bird can be viewed at http://www.eastkentwildlifepics.co.uk/ . Other birds seen here were 1 Bittern in flight, 2 ring tail Hen Harrier, 4 Marsh Harrier, 1 Snipe, 1 Kestrel, a steady passage of Fieldfare and a few Gadwall, Teal, Tufted Duck and Mallard.

(Marc Heath)

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10th February

After 'Super Tuesday', today turned out to be 'Wonderful Wednesday', except for the weather. I received a text of Sue Morton at 11.30am to say that she had just had good views of the Penduline Tit from the Feast hide at Grove Ferry. I made a visit after work to Grove Ferry and met Steve Ashton in the hide and we was later joined by Chris and Anne Hindle. The weather was mostly against us with heavy snow/hale showers in between bits of blue sky and sunshine. Luckily after explaining to Chris where I had seen it yesterday, it wasn't long before he found it and eventually we all had good views of the bird as it happily fed on the reed mace. It showed well on and off between 3 - 4.10pm and was seen to have a ring on its right leg. This was a new Kent tick for Steve and we both tried for photographs but it remained hidden most of the time and when in the open, the snow decided to arrive heavily, nonetheless, a cracking bird and good views by all were had. Other birds from here were 11 Tufted Duck, 3 Pochard, 1 Redshank, 1 Bittern in flight, 2 Hen Harrier including 1 adult male, 2 Long tailed Tits, 1 Water Rail, 3 Marsh Harrier, 1 Snipe and a few Mallard, Gadwall, Teal and Shoveler. It would seem from the photos that the Penduline Tit is in fact a female, any suggestions welcomed.

(Marc Heath)

9th February

Being 'Super Tuesday', I arrived at Grove Ferry this morning at 7.40am in anticipation that some good birds would be around. I watched from the ramp for an hour and noted 8 Pintail, 2 Grey Heron, 5 Marsh Harrier, c140 Greylag Geese, 79 Wigeon, 55 Gadwall, 8 Shelduck, 19 Shoveler, 13 Snipe, 1 Peregrine, 1 Stonechat, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Cetti's Warbler and 1 Redshank. A visit to the Green (Feast) hide was quite productive with close views of Teal, Shoveler, Gadwall, 8Tufted Duck, 5 Pochard and 1 Redshank. At 9.30am I noted some reed mace being blown on the easterly wind past the hide just the other side of the dyke. I scanned the area but could not see alot through the reeds and after a minute or so, a male Penduline Tit flew in front of the hide and landed in the reeds to the left of the hide. I again scanned the area and eventually located the bird feeding low down. I had good but brief views before it flew deeper into the reedbed, Super Tuesday strikes again!! Other birds noted here were 2 Ring tail Hen Harrier, 1 Kingfisher and 1 Bittern in flight. I made a visit to Stodmarsh after Uni seeing 2 Little Owls in their usual places. Noted here were 4 Marsh Harrier, 1 Bittern, c10 Siskin and 2 Lesser Redpoll in the alder wood, 5 Goldfinch, 7 Bearded Tit and 2 Water Rail. A break in the weather and the sun shining, I made my way over to Grove to try out my new lens in good light. I sat in the Feast hide and was joined by Martyn Wilson where we looked for the Penduline but with no luck. However, we did see some reed mace being blown in a small area at the back of the pool but could not locate anything. 1 Bittern was seen again and as we left hundreds of Fieldfare were in the fields along the entrance track.

(Marc Heath)

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8th February

I had a brief 45 minute session at the ramp today after work, thats as long as I could last due to the freezing temperatures. Not much noted except one nutter getting cold on the ramp but I did manage 4 Marsh Harrier, 6 Shelduck, 79 Greylag Geese, 21 Mute Swan, 3 Sparrowhawk, 4 Snipe, 2 Redshank in with c500 Lapwing, 7 Pintail, 1 Bittern flew from near the Green hide and landed on the back pool, 1 Kestrel, c30 Shoveler and Wigeon, c300 Teal, 3 Tufted Duck, 1 Pochard and a growing number of Gadwall in the last few days. There were a few hundred Fieldfare going to roost and 1 Weasel was seen on the ramp before vanishing down a hole with its dinner.

(Marc Heath)

7th February

Spent much of the morning around Westbere, where the highlight was 2 Goldcrests, the first I had seen this year. Other sightings included 1 Bittern, 18 Wigeon, 14 Gt-cr Grebes, 15 Pochard, 33 Tufted Duck, 4 Cetti’s Warblers and a mixed flock of about 20 Siskins/Redpolls. Elsewhere, there were 175 Greylags at Cow Corner and 2 Stonechat and a Peregrine at Stodmarsh

6th February

Arriving at Grove Ferry just after 6.00am to the sound of 1 Tawny Owl calling somewhere along the river and the song of Robins and Blackbirds giving the feel that spring was just around the corner. Marc Heath had been touring the lanes in the early hours recording 5 Tawny Owls and 1 Little Owl before joining Mark C and myself and, at 7.20, Phil P on the ramp for dawn. Alan and Steve A were at Marsh Hide and between us we noted, 1 Woodcock on the entrance to Grove, 5 Shelducks, 11 Pintails (main pool), 6 Tufted Ducks, 15 Shoveler, 63 Gadwall, 31 Wigeon, and several Teal. A male Hen Harrier put in a brief appearance followed by a ringtail while Alan & Steve had had the same male plus a further 3 ringtails. There were 8 Marsh harriers, 2 adult Whooper Swans out at 7.10am, 900+ Lapwings, 1 Redshank, a smaller number than of late of Fieldfares, 2 Curlew (or as Marc may prefer, kerr-loo), 1 Peregrine, 6 Cetti’s Warblers, 2 Snipe, 1 Sparrowhawk and 1 flyover Golden Plover. There were 11 Bearded Tits, 1 Stonechat, 17  Water Pipits at Harrison’s and there were 3 Bitterns at Grove while Steve & Alan had 4 Bitterns at Stodmarsh. Marc’s musical side came out as he announced “you can’t see this” as an MC Hammer flew over, that appeared to be just a black dot to us lesser mortals, calling yellowHammer time. Other bits and bobs at Stodmarsh included 3 Little Egrets, 1 Green Sandpiper, several Chaffinches and, in the Siskin/Redpoll flock there were 6 Goldfinches,  30 Lesser Redpolls, 18 Siskins and 1+ Mealy Redpoll. A flock of 16 Long-tailed Tits also had 9 Blue and 4 Great Tits with them and there were 4 Yellowhammers beside the houses at the Stodmarsh entrance gate. At Collard’s lake where I had seen the Scaup in brilliant sunshine with Geoff Burton yesterday afternoon, there were 10 Great-crested Grebes, 10 Godeneye including 3 displaying drakes, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Bittern, a singing male Linnet and 3 Ring-necked Parakeets. After an hour of scanning Marc left for home and within 2 minutes of his departure the redhead Smew showed along the back edge and, finally after an hour and a quarter of frustration, the adult winter female Scaup showed in the far right hand corner allowing Phil to add it to his year list.

At Collard’s this morning as well as the Smew, Goldeneye and Scaup, documented by Martyn, there were 104 Pochard, 4 Canada Geese and a Green Sandpiper

(Brendan Ryan)

4th February

In a cloudy morning with drizzle, I arrived at Grove Ferry at 7.30am and like yesterday, as I walked down the entrance track the 2 adult Whooper Swans flew from one of the pools in the company of 1 sub adult Bewick’s Swan towards Chislet Marshes. I met Sue Morton at the ramp who needed Whooper Swan for the Valley, which she got. Other birds seen at the ramp included 1 Green Woodpecker, 15 Mute Swan, 9 Shoveler, 6 Shelduck, 2 Wigeon, 12 Greylag Geese and 1 Grey Heron. There were 10 Gadwall on the main pool with c40 flying high towards Stodmarsh, also 2 Marsh Harrier, 2 Cetti’s Warbler, 4 Tufted Duck, 1 Stonechat, c400 Lapwing, c170 Teal and as I passed through Upstreet on the way to work, 1 male Hen Harrier flew over towards Chislet.

(Marc Heath)

3rd February

On a mild morning, I arrived at Grove Ferry at 7.30am and made my way to the ramp for a quick look before work. I was halfway there when the 2 adult Whooper Swans appeared and were watched as they flew towards Chislet Marshes. At the ramp which was ice free, the following were noted. 1 Green Woodpecker, 6 Shelduck, 2 Golden Plover in with c500 Lapwing, 7 Mute Swan, c180 Teal, 14 Gadwall, 2 Marsh Harrier and 2 Cetti’s Warbler. 3 Hen Harrier passed through including 1 adult male, 1 Water Rail, 3 Tufted Duck, 2 Shoveler, 2 Snipe, 1 Ring necked Parakeet heard and a few Fieldfare passing over.

(Marc Heath)

 2nd February

I arrived at Grove Ferry this morning just after 7.30am to see what could be found on 'Super Tuesday', the day that most birds are found in the valley! I spent an hour or so on the ramp in the drizzle and noted 8 Marsh Harrier, 1 Green Woodpecker, 27 Greylag Geese, 3 Hen Harrier including 1 adult male, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Grey Heron, 2 Water Rail, 17 Mute Swan, 2 Curlew landed on the fields behind the back pools and 1 Bittern was seen in flight over the main pool before presumably, landing near the river and 2 Linnet flew over. There were c150 Lapwing around with the odd group of Fieldfare moving through. A trip to Collards after uni this afternoon, again in rain was quite productive, the best bird being an adult winter female Scaup which after c30 minutes of sleeping, finally showed well for a few minutes. A text to Martyn Wilson alerting him of the Scaup and not long after I met up with him, and after a frustrating search for the bird in windy conditions, we had brief views of the bird before we tried to find some shelter. Other birds here were 8 Goldeneye including 2 drakes, 81 Pochard, c20 Tufted Duck, c300 Wigeon and the usual Shoveler, Gadwall and Teal. 1 Bittern was seen in flight, 77 Greylag Geese, 1 Canada Goose, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Peregrine and 1 Marsh Harrier. As I drove back through Grove, a few thousand Fieldfares were going to roost.

(Marc Heath)