February sightings

Number of species seen so far this year = 118

29th February

Stodmarsh at dusk Wednesday evening 5 Bitterns flew high east over the Lampen Wall, between 6.10 and 6.20pm. In to roost were c8 Marsh Harriers and 1-2 ring-tail Hen Harriers.
(Derek Smith)

26th February

Stodmarsh at dusk I had 7 Bitterns circle the west of the reserve, then calling as they flew high east over the Lampen Wall. The first flew over at 6pm, and the last at just after 6.20pm. Also, in to roost were c15 Marsh Harriers and a single Hen Harrier.

(Derek Smith)

7 Ruff flew into the water meadows, late afternoon

(Janet Morgan)

25th February

At Grove Ferry toady were 7 Shelduck from the ramp as well as 3 Tufted Duck, 1 Pochard a few Teal and Lapwing and a Water Rail Calling. Due to excavation work, and, the digger still present it seemed to have kept most birds away although the first of 4 Bitterns seen today passed close over us at 6.50am and 12 Marsh Harriers were seen. Strangely, though, they were coming into the reserve from the east instead of, leaving to the east. A quick look in both Feast hide and Harrison’s Hide revealed little of note except a lone Little Grebe so, we Carried on to Marsh hide were, it seemed, most of the bird activity seemed to be. There were at least 400 Teal present with a similar number of Lapwings plus 9 Wigeon, 10 Canada Geese, 1 Little Egret, 9 Ruff, 3 Dunlin, 3 Black-tailed Godwits, 21+ Water Pipits and 1 Sparrowhawk. The five Tundra Bean Geese flew west past the hide at 8.00am and 4 Cetti’s Warblers were noted as were 6 Tufted Ducks and 3 Pochards. The second Bittern of the day flew over the footpath and landed on the reed edge directly in front of the hide while the third was flushed by a passing birder nearer to the hide on the south side of the path. The fourth bird, however, appeared to the left of the hide looking a little bedraggled and wet and stayed on show in virtually the same position for an hour and a half. A Redshank was feeding in front of the Bittern at one point while the only other additions to the note book were 3 Curlews flying past as we neared the Feast hide and 4 Common Buzzards over the ramp just before we left.

(Martyn Wilson & Alan Ashdown)

Soggy Bittern - Martyn Wilson ©

Marsh Harrier - Martyn Wilson ©

Shoveler - Martyn Wilson ©

22nd February

Just an hour or so at Westbere, 15 x G.C. Grebe on lake, 1 x Bittern flying over reeds 15.20, river side of lake by 2 x tented fishermen, 12 x Teal Flying, 1 x Marsh Harrier, Sparrow Hawk over woods by river, generally quiet.

(Jim Davies)

19th February

An hour at Westbere/Hersden lake late afternoon today. 1 Short-eared owl, 1 male Marsh harrier, 1 Snipe, 35 Teal, 3 Cettis and 2 Water rail. Also 50 Fieldfare, 4 Yellowhammer and 3 Reed bunting in to roost.

(Andy Malone)

18th February

A definite arrival of new birds into the valley post freeze, with 11 Shelduck, ( 6 Stodmarsh, and 5 at Grove), 7 Dunlin, 5 Ruff, 1 Redshank plus yesterday’s 2 Black-tailed Godwits. Other birds of note on the Grove-Stodmarsh circuit include 20+ Water Pipits, a Jack Snipe, and the un-ringed Glossy Ibis returning from wherever it took refuge from the freezing weather. ( the ringed bird was reported yesterday, so both birds may be still around). Duck numbers on Stodmarsh lake included 440 Teal, 7 Pintail, 110 Gadwall, 113 Mallard, 50 Tufted Duck and 10 Canadas . The many Pochard present were too busy feeding to allow themselves to be counted, so they missed out! The 5 Tundra Bean Geese did a tour of various sites. Steve and Alan had them at the Marsh Hide while Martin and I encountered them on the Stodmarsh lake and later at Cow Corner. At Collard’s there were 8 Goldeneye, 74 Tufted Duck, 27 Pochard and 5 Linnets which was a usful addition to the year list taking me to 108. My best start to the year and still missing Golden Plover and Tawny Owl. Must get up a bit earlier!

(Brendan Ryan)

Glossy Ibis ©

17th February

A brief session late afternoon at Westbere hoping that the Egyptian Goose was still around. Sadly it wasn’t but there were plenty of geese in the water meadows including 19 Canadas and 162 Greylags. The five Tundra Bean Geese flew in late in the day and settled in the cereal fields between the water meadows and Cow Corner. Also noted in the vicinity were 1 Curlew, 5 Grey Herons and single Little Grebe and Kingfisher. All the ice had gone from the lake and so had the birds with only 135 Gadwall, I Pochard, 13 Tufted Duck, 14 Great-crested Grebes and 900+ Black-headed Gulls. Chiddy texted to tell of 2 Black-tailed Godwits at Grove but it was too late to do anything about it. In addition, Alan Ashdown saw and photographed a female Merlin by Marsh Hide.

(Brendan Ryan)

16th February

Sue Morton found an Egyptian Goose at Westbere today along the water meadows south of the river.

I enjoyed a pleasant walk round the 'circuit' this afternoon. Good numbers of Lapwing (c100) were on view from the Marsh Hide plus four Ruff, c50 Teal and a handful of Water Pipit. The Harrison Drove hide had a few dozen distant Teal, but little else. Returning along the river and looking back towads the Marsh Hide I had 18 Water Pipit (and a single Pied Wagtail) on the flooded area. A Water Rail gave excellent views as it negotiated a still frozen ditch as a Cetti's Warbler briefly sang. Reaching the Lampen Wall a ringtail Hen Harrier (3-4 Marsh Harriers had been seen earlier). Then, at 4:50, I had an extraordinary deja vu moment when a single Glossy Ibis came over and roosted below the 'Cormorant trees'.

(John Cantelo)

15th February

I spent a couple of hours this morning mainly going through c5000 Gulls looking for the adult Iceland Gull with no luck although for compensation I did see 9 Smew including 4 drakes, the most Smew I have seen in the valley at any one time. There were also 5 drake Goldeneye and the drake Mandarin was also still present.

(Marc Heath)

12th February

Iceland Gull- Brendan Ryan

A slight variation on a theme today starting at Fordwich and walking to Westbere. The river seemed to be much quieter than yesterday with a few Teal, Coot and Moorhen plus the odd Snipe and Water Rail. A single Grey Wagtail, Little Grebe, 2 Siskins and 3 Cetti’s Warblers were the only thing of note. I met Martyn who had come the other way from Hersden and we took position to view the gulls and duck on Westbere Lake. We were later joined by John Cantelo. Having decided from yesterday’s experience that looking at Gulls was too hard, I reverted to counting duck and notched up 53 Tufted Duck, 91 Pochard, 3 Goldeneye, one aythya hybrid plus 2 fly over redhead Goosander. Sadly that didn’t fill up too much time so it was back to the gulls. We were grilling a putative Yellow-legged Gull when John picked up an adult Iceland Gull, presumably the bird reported on Friday. It showed well for about an hour and was successfully twitched by Sue and Steve Ashton. This was a valley tick for all present and some poor record shots were obtained which would be better if I had the time, inclination or skills to play about on photoshop or indeed if I was a better photographer! We lost the Iceland amongst the increasing number of gulls but in an attempt to relocate it found a very nice no-nonsense adult Yellow-legged Gull. Plenty of other gulls raised questions about their identity and some further research is in order. To celebrate this gull fest, a Bittern got up and flew around at which point I departed and went to check out Littlebourne where highlights included 15 Snipe, a Jack Snipe, Woodcock and Green Sandpiper

(Brendan Ryan)

Iceland Gull-John Cantelo

On the lake at Stodmarsh this morning were 10 Bewick’s Swans (1 juvenile) leaving eastwards at 7.40am, 5 Tundra Bean Geese also leaving eastwards at 7.15am, 3 Smew including 1 drake as well as 1 adult Lesser Black-backed Gull, 19 Canada Geese, 6 Greylag Geese, 76 Teal, 25 Tufted Duck, 15 Pochard, 105 Shoveler, 89 Mallard and a pair of Pintail. Several parties of 2-500 Fieldfares were leaving roost from The Jungle with a conservative estimate of 7800 birds, a pair of Sparrowhawks flew down the Lampen Wall and 5 Marsh Harriers left roost. The only other bird of note was a drake Goldeneye on the river by the Water Meadows where I also relocated the 5 Tundra Bean Geese in the fields north of the river opposite the Water Meadows. Moving on to Westbere where i met up with Brendan adding only Woodcock and a drake Smew different to his report.

(Martyn Wilson)

Goldeneye & Iceland Gull with aythya hybrid - Martyn Wilson ©

11th February

I was out of the house this morning at 5.30am in freezing conditions where when I arrived in the valley the temperature was -11. I had a drive around the area noting 7 calling Tawny Owls and the first of 2 Grey Partridge was heard calling above Stodmarsh reserve at 5.40am, the other heard later near the boat house at Grove. I also noted 2 Woodcock whilst driving to Westbere where after a cup of coffee I wandered down to the Island where I met Martyn and soon Brendan too, just like the old days. The lake was pretty frozen over but a little water was still available to the Ducks and Gulls. 2 Goldeneye including 1 drake was noted along with 107 Tufted Duck, 1 Little Grebe, 1 Treecreeper, 1 Kingfisher, c50 Fieldfare out of roost, 64 Pochard, the hybrid Tufted Duck x Pochard, 2 Green Woodpecker and 18 Shoveler along with a good few hundred Gulls. We then decided on a walk along the river towards Fordwich and back towards Hersden where a Red necked Grebe had been reported yesterday. Birds we noted were 1 Siskin, 1 Jack Snipe seen briefly in flight, 3 Jay, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 drake Goldeneye, 1+ Crossbill heard flying south calling, 12 Pintail, 1 Bittern, 3 red head Smew on the river, 8 Little Grebe, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Great spotted Woodpecker, 1 Curlew, 2 Snipe, 7 Goosander including 3 males which gave us the opportunity to at least use the cameras today, 2 Water Rail, 2 Kingfisher and a few Tufted Duck, Gadwall and Mallard on the river. A pleasant but cold morning and no doubt Martyn and Brendan will update more later on.

(Marc Heath)

Inspired by Martin Garner’s excellent talk to the KOS meeting on Thursday I was desperate to out in the field and apply his approach to birding. As usual these days the action was centred on Westbere where Martin and Marc were already in situ when I arrived. I flushed a Jack Snipe from the frozen lake edge. The limited open water held the usual concentration of Aythya duck including last week’s hybrid. 2 Goldeneye were the only other duck of note. Much of the rest of the morning was spent walking the river between Fordwich and Hersden producing, 3 redhead Smew, 2 Goldeneye, 9 Little Grebes, 1 Great-cr Grebe, 2 Curlew, 1 Stonechat and at least 2 Kingfisher., Crossbills were heard flying over but weren’t seen. The river held plenty of teal, plus a few Wigeon, Tufted Duck and Pochard. Hersden lake produced 7 Goosander,12 Pintail and a Bittern. Returning to Westbere we spent some time looking at the gulls on the ice but couldn’t find anything special. I concluded the session looking for thrushes in the orchards near Grove but only found Fieldfare before a brief stop off at Stodmarsh to see if the Bean Geese were still there, which they weren’t.

(Brendan Ryan)

Goosanders - Marc Heath ©

10th February

A fine day at Dungeness with Gideon Beale was rounded off with a trip to Westbere, where the most notable birds were a red-head Goosander on the river, a drake Goldeneye on the lake and a large throng of gulls, the most splendid of which, found shortly before 4pm, was an adult Iceland Gull.

(Dave Mairs)

I arrived at Westbere Lakes this morning at 7.20am where I wandered up to the Island through the snow and ice. It was quite apparent that there had been a thaw in the night as there was quite a bit more open water than there has been in the last few days, although a lot remains frozen still. I stayed c45 minutes and recorded 4 red head Goosander flying west over the lake towards Fordwich, 4 Siskin, 1 Redpoll, 2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 1 red head Smew but no sign of the drake, 1 Goldcrest and 135 Tufted Duck. There were 136 Pochard, the hybrid Tufted Duck x Pochard, 41 Gadwall, 2 Little Grebe, 2 Goldeneye, c1000 Gulls and around the entrance were a few Blue, Great and Long tailed Tits. I had a very brief walk at lunchtime back at Westbere where I walked up to the river and back. Birds noted were 2 Siskin, 1 Water Rail, 1 Grey Heron and 1 Bittern flushed from the riverside bank. There were a lot more Gulls on the frozen part of the lake with c3000 birds loafing about. Also 1 Sparrowhawk seen.

(Marc Heath)

Goldeneye - Marc Heath ©

9th February

Today i spent a little while at Westbere lake unsucessfully trying to find the reported drake Smew, however quite a few other birds were seen. The trees around the lake held Blackbird, Robin, Chaffinch, Great Tit, Blue Tit, a flock of 30+ Long-tailed Tit and 2 Jay. The lake had a very large number of Black-headed, Common and Herring Gulls on the ice. While in and around the areas of open water there were: Tufted Duck, Pochard, Shoveler, Teal, Mallard, Gadwall, Wigeon, 4 Pintail, 2 Goldeneye (both drakes), 2 red head Smew, 2 Great-creasted Grebe and 3 Little Grebe. Also 2 Marsh Harrier flew over the lake, as did a Bittern which then landed at the edge of the reeds by the boats and showed well.
(Adam Faiers )

I made another pre work visit to Westbere Lakes in the hope that the weather may have pushed a few more species into the valley. I arrived at 7.15am and made my way to the Island where I noted 2 Smew including 1 drake. They were a little closer this morning and showed well through the scope. As ever this prompted the camera into some early morning action with at least some better results than yesterday. Other birds noted were 128 Pochard, 2 Jay, 4 Pintail, 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Siskin, 2 Redpoll, 120 Tufted Duck, the hybrid Tufted Duck x Pochard was still present, 2 Wigeon, 52 Teal, 52 Gadwall, 2 drake Goldeneye, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Grey Heron and 1 Green Woodpecker. There were 3 Canada Geese, c50 Mallard and good numbers again of Black headed, Common and Herring Gulls in the area. With news of a Red necked Grebe yesterday in the valley I met Sue after work and we took a walk down at Westbere and walked out to Hersden lake. Despite a search of the genearal area we did not locate the Grebe but for compensation we did see 2 red head Smew on the river, 15 Goosander, 3 on the river including 2 males and 1 red head and 12 on Hersden lake which included 7 males and 5 red heads. This is the most I have seen of this species in the valley and may well be the most that have been seen at any one time? Other birds noted were 1 Bittern in flight, 10 Pintail, 2 Kingfisher, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Great spotted Woodpecker, 1 Green Woodpecker and c100 Fieldfare.

(Marc Heath)

Smew - Marc Heath ©

Visited Westbere today, 5x views Kingfishers, Water Rail, 3 x Snipe, Tufted Duck & Teal, Curlew, 3 x Bullfinch.
(Jim Davies)

8th February

A quick visit to Westbere this morning - a drake Smew, 1 Woodcock and over 4000 gulls.
(Andy Malone)

After receiving an email from Andy letting me know of a drake Smew on Westbere Lakes I made the effort to try and get down lunchtime to see it. I have seen a few red head Smew over the years but this would be the first drake in the valley. I wandered down to the island and luckily I bumped into Francis Solly who put me onto the drake Smew, what a stunner. It was very distant but as usual I rattled off a few distant shots. Normally shots like this would not be published but as it was my first photographed drake in the valley I thought I should at least put a record shot on. I'm surprised it even came out as the photo was taken at c200 yards. Hopefully you can make it out in front of the trees! Other bits noted were 2 Goldeneye including 1 drake, c100 each of Pochard, Gadwall and Tufted Duck. There were c3000 Herring Gulls with good numbers of Common and Black headed Gull. Other bits included 1 Marsh Harrier with a few Blue, Great and Long tailed Tits. I did not leave work until 4.30pm but with slightly lighter evenings I made a visit to Grove where I walked up to the ramp, a good decision as my first birds I saw were c70 Corn Buntings flying around prior to going to roost, a welcome year tick. Not long after 7 Goosander were seen including 2 males flying east in groups of 4 and 3 and a quick walk around the Grove end produced up to 5 Woodcock and 1 Marsh Harrier. A quick but very worthwhile visit.

(Marc Heath)

There was a Red necked Grebe seen by Francis Solly at Hersden Lake today.

Smew - Marc Heath ©

7th February

I received a text mid morning from Sue Morton telling me that the drake Mandarin was still present on an almost frozon over Westbere lake. In freezing conditions after work I made an hour visit where I met Sue and later Brendan and we birded from the Island. Birds I noted were 1 drake Mandarin which allowed me to continue my theme of 'record' shots for the week, although through a scope the bird showed well briefly before going back into cover. Also noted were c110 Tufted Duck, 1 red head Smew, 1 Siskin, 1 Redpoll, 3 Water Rail, 1 Little Egret, c143 Pochard, 2 Mute Swan, 1 Greylag Goose, c130 Gadwall, c20 Wigeon, 1 Jay, c30 Fieldfare and 2 Goldeneye including 1 drake. There were c50 Mallard, 1 Little Grebe, 1 Marsh Harrier and 2 Goldcrest. My search for a Bittern still goes on, maybe the weekend will deliver one.

(Marc Heath)

Good time management meant that I was able to squeeze in a late afternoon visit to Stodmarsh while travelling between meetings. I was hoping it was third time lucky for the 5 Tundra Bean Geese. I met Adam in the car park who reported the birds still present on the main lake and so it proved to be and they were duly added to the year list. Woodcock have clearly arrived in good numbers in the cold weather as I had one fly over Stodmarsh village and another flew over the car park while I was talking to Adam. The geese proved so easy that I had time to call in at Westbere where the amount of open water had much reduced from the weekend. Duck numbers were much the same, with a redhead Smew, 2 redhead Goldeneye, the aythya hybrid, the drake Mandarin, 167 Gadwall, 182 Pochard and 172 Tufted Duck. Also of note, 3 Little Grebes and a single Little Egret.

(Brendan Ryan)

Today I walked the whole of the Stodmarsh / Grove Ferry circuit starting in a snowy Stodmarsh car park. I made my way to the Reed Bed Hide from which not a bird could be seen, so I made my way round to check the main lake, flushing two Woodcock from the Alder Wood on my way. There were 2 Water Rails at the edge of the lake, which was mostly frozen, and in the centre a flock of Lapwing were roosting. The only patch of open water held mostly Mallard, Teal, and Shovler, but also five Pintail and a Shelduck; while in one of the dykes behind me 60 Coot and a Little Grebe shared a 6' square patch of unfrozen water. As I was about to head back to the Alder Wood a group of Canada and Greylag Geese landed on the lake and they were closely followed by 5 Tundra Bean Geese. The nature trail and Alder Wood held 2 Water Rails, showing very well and a large mixed Tit flock which had two Chiffchaffs and a Goldcrest tagging along. There were also good numbers of Blackbird, Song Thrush, Wren, Robin, Chaffinch and Goldfinch. I then walked up to the Marsh Hide, flushing two Woodcock and 3 Snipe on my way and 2 Cetti's were heard. From the Marsh Hide there was a flock of Lapwing, 2 Snipe, a Ruff and a small group of Greylag Geese. A ringtail Hen Harrier was hunting over the reeds as were 3 Marsh Harriers. A Common Buzzard could be seen high over Grove and then a Peregrine flew through before landing at the back of the marsh. I then walked to the Grove part of the circuit which was virtually birdless with just 2 Mute Swans, and 4 Bearded Tits form the Feast Hide. The walk back along the river is more worrthwhile however, as there were a few small flocks of Fieldfare flying over, and on the river with a group of Teal were 7 Goosanders (2 Drakes, 5 redheads). Back at the lake all of the ducks and geese were still present, joined by a Grey Heron trying to hunt in the limited open water. Then back at the car, whilst I was talking to Brendan, another Woodcock flew up and over head. The only disappointment of the day is that I did not see a single Bittern.
(Adam Faiers)

Mandarin - Marc Heath ©

6th February

I managed to grab an hour around lunchtime today at Westbere Lakes and luckily the roads were ice free. I birded along the northern side of the lake down towards the Island. The lake in parts still had some ice covering but the majority of the lake is now open again meaning a more challenging look for the birds. I did manage a few year ticks today with sightings of 1 Black necked Grebe, 4 Goosander, 1 drake and 3 red heads and 2 Lesser Redpoll were feeding high up in an alder. Other birds noted were 136 Tufted Duck, 1 Little Grebe, 90 Shoveler, 70 Pochard, 1 Woodcock was flushed from the Island, 3 Goldeneye including 2 drakes, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Great spotted Woodpecker and 4 Great crested Grebe. There were c50 Gadwall, c15 Wigeon, 1 red head Smew, 1 Marsh Harrier, c1500 Herring Gulls and a quick drive around the outskirts of the valley whilst on the way to Canterbury produced a flock of Fieldfare in the orchards, 2 Grey Heron and 1 Little Owl at Stodmarsh Court Farm.

(Marc Heath)

Goosanders - Marc Heath ©

5th February

Meeting McChidders in the 6 inch deep snow in Stodmarsh carpark at 6.40 this morning we made our way to the LakeTower Hide to watch Harrier, and anything else, out of roost hearing a Tawny Owl as we left while a Woodcock flew over us near the Alder Wood. The lake was almost completley frozen over and yesterdays drowned Fox (see Steve Ashton’s Blog here) was just visible below a thin covering of ice. Several Water Rails and Cetti’s Warblers were making their presence known and at least 2000 Feildfares passed over head while 10 Marsh Harriers left roost along with 1 ringtail Hen Harrier. There were 86 shoveler, 85 Teal, 3 Tufted Duck, several Mallard and 3 Great Black-backed Gulls in and around the small bit of open water, 22 Canada Geese flew south over the lake and a single Ruff landed on the ice with 112 Lapwing. We decided to leave Stodmarsh and return to Westbere where the bulk of the activity had been yesterday passing high numbers of Blackbirds along the roadside enroute. At Westbere there were 3 Water Rails, 22 Pintail, 1 darke Mandarin, 3 redhead Smew and 3 Little Grebes. Among the concentration of Duck (Brendan made the counts!) there Tufted Duck, Pochard, the aythya hybrid (tuftedxpochard) Gadwall, 66 Wigeon and 3 Goldeneye including 2 drakes. Also on the lake were 7 Great-crested Grebes, 10 Greylag Geese and 14 Canada Geese. A Woodcock flew over the lake towards Fordwich and a Marsh Harrier passed over. There were a lot less Gulls today with no sign of yesterdays 1st winter Caspian. A phone call from Brendan, who was on the other side of the lake, informed us of a Black-necked Grebe not far from us which saw soon after while other birds making the note book included, 4 Curlew, 3 Dunlin, 1 Shelduck, 40 flyover Skylarks, 2 Kingfishers and as we were heading back to the cars a redhead Goosander flew over.

(Martyn Wilson)

Westbere was the place to be again with a large expanse of open water remaining while the rest of the valley is frozen over. Good numbers of duck included 3 redhead Smew, 2 drake Goldeneye, 12 Pintail, 170 Tufted Duck, 156 Pochard plus quite a few wigeon, teal and Gadwall. The Tufted Duck x Pochard hybrid was still present as was yesterday’s drake Mandarin. While counting the duck, I stumbled across a Black-necked Grebe. Martyn, Chiddy and Sue were summoned and duly connected. Also seen were the resident flock of 14 Canada Geese, 2 Little Grebes and a single Redpoll. I returned to the valley in the afternoon to have another attempt to see the Bean Geese at Stodmarsh. I arrived at 3.00pm and stayed until 4.30pm but the geese failed to appear. Several flocks of Greylags flew over from the Seaton direction and included 21 Canada and 16 Barnacle Geese. Duck roosting on the ice included 460 Mallard, 7 Pintail, 510 Teal, 3 Tufted Duck, a single Shelduck and several Wigeon and Gadwall. 86 Lapwing were also roosting on the ice until they were put up by a Peregrine. On the harrier front there were about 10 Marsh and a single ringtail Hen Harrier.

(Brendan Ryan)

4th February

Some of the 4,600 Herring Gulls and one Caspian Gull at Westbere this morning

The day started back at Westbere, re-examining the drake Scaup from the previous day. The peaked crown should have sounded alarm bells yesterday but now it was raising the possibility of Lesser Scaup. However, I had only seen it asleep. Sadly as soon as it awoke it revealed bill pattern that was not right for either species of Scaup. There was a broad black tip to the bill with a clear white sub-terminal band, not too unlike the bill of Ring-necked Duck. Clearly it was a hybrid. A quick search of the literature when I eventually got home 9 hours later confirmed Tufted Duck/Pochard hybrid. Nevertheless, a good looking and interesting bird. There remained good numbers of Tufted Duck and Pochard, no doubt displaced from the frozen lakes at Collard’s and Stodmarsh. A Curlew flew over calling, a useful addition to the year list. Sue later had 6 on the Westbere water meadows although they couldn’t be found early afternoon. Although Stodmarsh lake was frozen, there were good numbers of dabbing duck on the ice including 530 Mallard, 460 Wigeon, 570 Teal and 3 drake Pintail. I wandered around the fields at Newborns Farm hoping to find the Ibis, but without success but I did flush 36 Snipe. A second trip to Westbere added yesterday’s redhead Smew plus a drake Mandarin. Amongst the 4,600 Herring Gulls was a single Lesser-black backed Gull andMartyn managed to pick out a first winter gull showing all the right characteristic for Caspian. The final call of the day was back to Stodmarsh late afternoon to look for the Bean Geese but without success.

(Brendan Ryan)

Grove- Stodmarsh 12.20-4.30

10 Mute Swan, 5 Tundra Bean Geese - east towards Grove at 3.50, 20+ Greylag, 20+ Canada, 110 Wigeon, 30+ Gadwall, 550+ Teal, 900+ Mallard, 40+ Shoveler, 2 Pheasant, 2 Little Grebe, 50+ Cormorant – west, 3 Grey Heron, 10 Marsh Harrier, 16 Water Rail, 70 Coot, 60+ Lapwing, 2 Dunlin, 1 Ruff, 4 Snipe, 1 Green Woodpecker, 3 GSW, 25 Meadow Pipit, 20+ Water Pipit, 4 Pied Wagtail, 700+ Fieldfare, 1+ Redwing – call, 12+ Cetti's Warbler, 6, Goldcrest, 3+ Bearded Tit – calls, 30+ Long-tailed Tit, 2 Treecreeper, 3 Jay, 120 Jackdaw, 2000+ Starling, 3 Bullfinch

(Craig Sammels)

3rd February

I made a visit to Westbere Lakes for a change this morning before work, arriving at 7.20am where most of the lake was frozen over, just a few pockets of open water. I spent 45 minutes birding the area and had a very pleasant time with some good quality valley birds seen. Scanning through the tight group of ducks near the railway crossing end I found a drake Scaup, a new bird for the year and a very good valley bird to get. I only saw for a few seconds before a Lesser black backed Gull flew in and scared everthing away. I text the locals who at various points of the day managed to connect with the Scaup. Other birds noted were 1 red head Smew which showed well, the only day I didn't take my camera with me, typical! There were 4 Fieldfare, 1 Green Woodpecker, 6 Great crested Grebe, c40 Tufted Duck, c60 Pochard, 6 Cormorant, 23 Wigeon, 1 Redwing, 3 Siskin, c40 Gadwall, 1 Water Rail and 1 Little Grebe. There were 3 Long tailed Tit, 1 Jay, 4 Goldeneye including 2 drakes, 1 Greylag Geese, 2 Canada Geese, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Great spotted Woodpecker, 2 Mute Swan and as I was leaving 3 Curlew, new for the year flew west towards Fordwich at height.

(Marc Heath)

Sue Morton and Mark Chidwick also had the first Mediterranean Gull of the year this afternoon at Westbere Lakes.

Late afternoon at Westbere, the drake Scaup was still present along with 209 Tufted Duck, 109 Pochard and 2 Goldeneye

(Brendan Ryan)

2nd February

A picture of the 5 Tundra Bean Geese, leaving the main lake at Stodmarsh this afternoon.

(Steve Ashton)

I made a visit over to Stodmarsh mid afternoon and spent a couple of hours wandering up to the Marsh hide, meeting Steve Aston on the way as he stalked a Glossy Ibis, only one seen today. I had a quick look on the way to the reserve for the Firecrest again but with no luck although it was not completely wasted as I flushed a Woodcock. 1 Common Buzzard was also heard and 1 Goldcrest was seen along with a few Blue, Great and Long tailed Tits. A drive past Stodmarsh Court Farm produced 1 Little Owl which after finding a good position allowed for some pleasing shots.

At Stodmarsh it was bitterly cold and so cold that I did not get the notebook out once to write anything down. Birds noted were 3 Bullfinch, 1 Great spotted Woodpecker, 3 Goldcrest, 1 Treecreeper, 3 Marsh Harrier, 1 Peregrine, 1 Glossy Ibis, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Dunlin, 1 Grey Heron and 1 ring tail Hen Harrier showed reasonably well from the Marsh hide allowing for a few more shots to be taken.

A quick look in the Reedbed hide on the way back had us receiving news from Pete Laslett and John Hollyer that 5 Tundra Bean Geese had flown over and landed on the lake. We quickly made our exit and not long after were watching the Bean Geese on the main lake. We took a few shots into the light and soon after they took off and flew high east towards Grove Ferry and eventually lost to view. There were good numbers of Shoveler on the lake with Pochard, Tufted Duck, Wigeon, Gadwall and Mallard noted. 14 Canada Geese were also noted on the nearly frozen over main lake.

(Marc Heath)

1st February

I had a quick 30 minute drive through the valley at lunchtime today in gloroius sunshine but freezing conditions. I had hoped to find one of the wintering Firecrests but despite a look in the general area at Stodmarsh I could not find any. There were 4 Goldcrests in the area along with 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Jay, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great spotted Woodpecker and further along near Stodmarsh Court Farm I found the Little Owl but every branchwas in front of it so not worth an attempt with the camera. Driving back through to work there were 8 Lapwing in a field and at Grove a further 70 Lapwing.

(Marc Heath)

This afternoon at Stodmarsh: 5 Tundra Bean Geese, feeding together in the field alongside the path to the Reedbed Hide. (No Greylags with them.) Sorry no pics. Also several yellowhammers along entrance track. Best regards.

(Bill Wallace)