January Sightings

29th January

Grove Ferry and Stodmarsh today from 6.20am until 12.30pm with evey lake/flood and dyke frozen over :- The 2 Bewick's Swans again from first light until 7.22 when they flew off east, 66 Mute Swans left roost, 1000+ Fieldfares south and 700+ Corvids east (450+ Jackdaws, 200+ Carrion Crows & 50+ Rooks) plus a small lock of 22 Rooks with 1 Jackdaw a bit later. 5 Marsh Harriers (2 males), 1 Sparrowhawk, 3 Curlews west and 3 Bitterns (1 Grove, 2 Stodmarsh with 1 showing well on reed edge on ice). We had 20 Golden Plovers, 2 Kestrels, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 11 Shelducks (2 Grove), 2 pairs of Stonechats, 2 Grey Herons, 1 Bearded Tit, 2 Little Egrets east, 5 Gadwall (Grove), 2 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Mistle Thrush, 1 Little Grebe, 5 Snipe 400+ Teal at Grove & 1411 Teal at Stodmarsh, 1 Peregrine falcon, 2 Skylarks and 2 Stock Doves. 77 Cormorants flew east. At Stodmarsh also 2 Goldcrests, a mixed flock of Siskin , Chaffinch Goldfinch & Redpolls inc 1 possible Mealy. A Common Buzzard from 11.00-11.10 drifting southwest, also 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Jay, 3 Bullfinches and 16 Long Tailed Tits. A Pair of Pintail + a drake at Grove and 1 Great Crested Grebe plus 3 adult & 3 2nd winter Common Gulls between the 2 sites.

(Martyn Wilson, Alan Ashdown & Pete Solly)

Collard's highlights today had 2 redhead Smew, 8 Goldeneye (1 drake), 128 Tufted Ducks, 33 Pintail, 48 Pochards, 1 Little Grebe, 2 Sparrowhawks and 1 Water Pipit.

(Brendan Ryan)

28th January

Birding at Grove Ferry today from 6.20 - 11.40am started with 2 Bewick's Swans until 7.11 when they flew out east. 6+ Marsh Harriers hunting the reedbeds (3 males), 2 Sparrowhawks (1 male), 14 Golden Plovers, 2 Shelducks, 3 Wigeon, 5 Tufted Ducks, 2 Bearded Tits, 1 Grey Heron, 8+ Reed Buntings, 2 Chaffinches, 8+ Snipe, a pair of Stonechats, 6 Meadow Pipits, 2 Redshanks, 3 Bullfinches (1 male), 1 Little Grebe, 1 Kingfisher, 2 Dunlin (new for the year), 1 Green Woodpecker, 37 Fieldfares out of roost and 80+ Woodpigeons. 74 Cormorants flew east early morning as well as 257 Jackdaws, 101 Carrion Crows & 50 Rooks. 128 Mute Swans flew out by 8.30. Just outside our recording area Norman McCanch saw a Jack Snipe and a Green Sandpiper in the dyke by Salvatori's yard, he also had a Water Pipit at Harrison's Drove hide mid morning.

(Martyn Wilson, Pete Solly, Alan Ashdown & Steve Ashton)

Highlightds today, Collard's 7 Goldeneye, 32 Pintail & 7 Red- Legged Partridge. Stodmarsh, 12 Marsh Harriers to roost, 9 Hen Harriers inc 6 males, they performed really well by the Lampen Wall. Also 1 Merlin, 3 Sparrow Hawks, 10 Corn Buntings and 2500 Fieldfares. I also heard a Curlew at Stodmarsh this morning and tonight.

(Brendan Ryan)

25th January

A rather dull 2 1/2 hours spent at Grove Ferry today from 9.30am untill midday, started with the first hour on the ramp. The pool was frozen and held 3 Mute Swans and 3 Greylag Geese, 2 female Marsh Harriers sat in trees behind the lake, and the only other birds that made my notebook were Magpies, Carrion Crows, 60+ Lapwings, 2 Jackdaws, 6 Reed Buntings, 1 Dunnock, 1 Robin and a male & female Stonechat in the reed beds around the rampscreens. The turf feilds hide was also frozen, with Mallard and Teal occupying the small area of water in the middle, a Grey Heron landed, as well as 1 Kingfisher, and a male Marsh Harrier was hunting the reed beds opposite.

(Steve Ashton)

Stodmarsh this evening: 6+ Marsh Harrier into roost, 3-4 m, 4 ring tail Hen Harrier into roost, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1000+ Fieldfare into roost and 12+ Goldcrest.
(Ian Harding)

23rd January

Birding at Stodmarsh, 1600-1700: 2 Bewick's Swans on the lake, 7+ Marsh Harrier into roost, 3 m 2 ring tail Hen Harrier into roost, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Barn Owl At 1655, 1000+ Fieldfare into roost and 16+ Goldcrest.
(Ian Harding)

22nd January

Grove Ferry today 6.15am - 12.40pm produced:- 16 Marsh Harriers, 7 males (12 in a loose flock high north east towards Reculver/Marshside at 7.45ish), 1 Bittern, 1 Kingfisher, 5 Little Egrets (north east), 1 Kestrel, 1 Sparrowhawk and a ringtail Hen Harrier at 8.45. 2 Bewick's Swans flew west at 12.13pm. 300+ Golden Plovers, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 9 Tufted Ducks (5 drakes), 4 Shelducks, 2 Ruff, 1 Common Gull, 24 Snipe, 1100+ Teal, 2 Bearded Tits, 2 Stonechats, 6 Gadwall, 5 Redshanks,  a mixed flock of Blue & Great Tits with 8+ Long Tailed Tits, 120 Wigeon passed over west, 2 Grey Herons, 1 Skylark, 1 Stock Dove, 1 Canada Goose and 2400+ Lapwings. Only 2 Fieldfares out of roost. There were 224 Cormorants east as well as 358 Jackdaws, 106 Carrion Crows & 10 Rooks. The Mute Swan count reached 165 out of roost today, surely a record?

(Martyn Wilson, Pete Solly & Alan Ashdown)

Collard's held 1 Black Necked Grebe still and the 6 Goldeneye (1 drake). Plus a flock of 10 Yellowhammers. Also large numbers of Wigeon & Tufted Ducks.

(Brendan Ryan)

21st January

Due to work committments I will be taking a slightly back seat in the running of the Stour Valley website but am delighted that Martyn Wilson has agreed to take on the role of inputting all the records that are sent in. (Marc Heath)

Martyn can be Emailed on: martyn@wilson5834.freeserve.co.uk

Grove Ferry today from 6.35 - 11.30am started with a Barn Owl over the road just as i was pulling up at 6.35. The rest of the morning from the ramp saw:- 7 Marsh Harriers, 2 Sparrowhawks, a superb male Hen Harrier over reed bed in front of green hide from 7.50-7.56 before flying over the houses towards Reculver,plus a ringtail east through 10.30-10.35, 2 Wigeon, 7 Shelducks, 3 Little Egrets (north), 4 Tufted Ducks, 43 Golden Plovers, 1 Ruff, 2 Grey Herons, 1 Stock Dove, 15 Snipe, 2 Pintail (west), 2 Cetti's Warblers, 8+ Reed Buntings, 2100+ Teal, 1+ Kingfisher, 2 Gadwall, 4 Shoveller, 1 Bittern, 10 Meadow Pipits, 2800+ Lapwings, 3 Redshanks, and 1 Peregrine Falcon (albeit distantly over Stodmarsh). 4 Mistle Thrushes were in the paddock, 77 Fieldfares left roost and 144 Cormorants flew east as did 42 Jackdaws, 88 Carrion Crows & 2 Rooks. 121 Mute Swans flew out this morning.

(Martyn Wilson, Alan Ashdown & Steve Ashton)

Birding briefly at Collard's produced:. 6 Goldeneye including one drake, 2 Pintail. the Black-necked Grebe is still present and viewable from the road. It was in exactly the same spot as last week on the left hand side of the lake as you look down from the road (i.e. western side).  

(Brendan Ryan)

A late afternoon visit to Stodmarsh 1515-1700: 180+ Cormorant, into roost, 14+ Marsh Harrier, inc 3+ m, into roost, 2 m 4 ring tail Hen Harrier, into roost, 2 Sparrowhawk and ,1200+ Fieldfare, into roost.
(Ian Harding)

16th January

Birding at Stodmarsh , 0700-1000: 10+ Marsh Harrier, out of roost, later 1 m 3 f displaying c0900. 2 m 1 ring tail Hen Harrier, out of roost, 6 Goldcrest, c100 Siskin, c10 Lesser Redpoll, 1+ Mealy Redpoll and 6+ Bullfinch.
(Ian Harding)

15th January

Started at Grove Ferry with a walk though to Stodmarsh through the marsh and back along the river from 6.20am - 1.15pm, birds recorded were:- 4 Bitterns (the first at 6.20), 1 Tawny Owl calling at 6.40, 7 Marsh Harriers (3 males), 3 Little Egrets east, 1 Sparrowhawk (male), 1 Barn Owl quartering the Oxbow at 7.50, 8 Shelducks, 6+ Cetti's Warblers, 1 Kestrel, 65 Golden Plovers, 4 Grey Herons, 5 Redshanks, 1 Peregrine Falcon, 8 Snipe, 4 Tufted Ducks, 14 Ruff, 2+ Kingfishers, 4 Meadow Pipits, 3 Stonechats, 3 Pintail west (1 drake), 2 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Water Pipit, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 12+ Long Tailed Tits, 7 Chaffinches, 1 Goldcrest, 15+ Siskins, 2 Mealy & 7+ Lesser Redpolls, 21 Pochards, 1350+ Teal, 2 Wigeon, 96 Black Headed Gulls, 320+ Fieldfares, 3000+ Lapwings, 3 Great Crested Grebes, 2 Chiffchaffs and 2 Bullfinches. 142 Cormorants, 170 Jackdaws, 29 Carrion Crows and 4 Rooks all east and 142 Mute Swans left roost. A brief look at collards on the way home produced 1 Red-necked Grebe and 1 Goldeneye but no sign of Black Necked Grebe or Goosander.  

(Martyn Wilson, Alan Ashdown & Steve Ashton)

47 Whitefronted Geese flew over Stodmarsh today, The Red-necked Grebe is still at Collard's with at least 3 Goldeneye. There were 2 Stonechats at Grove and a single Water Pipit between Grove and Stodmarsh. 

(Brendan Ryan)

14th January

Rare grebes have been few and far between in the valley in recent years , so to record 5 Grebe species in one day is a little special. There was a Slavonian Grebe at Stodmarsh early morning but this was very flighty and may have departed at 9.00. Barry Wright found a Red-necked Grebe on Collard's in the afternoon and while looking for that bird, I located a Black-necked Grebe. Little and Great Crested Grebes were recorded at Collard's and Stodmarsh respectively.   There was a good supporting cast of birds at Stodmarsh, with a Firecrest on the path just before the Alder Wood. It was present first thing and was still there late afternoon. A drake Goosander did a circuit of the lake but eventually flew off west. There was at least one Mealy Redpoll with about 60 siskins and 20 Lesser Redpolls. 2 Bitterns  and a Peregrine were seen and 200 Golden Plover flew west early in the morning. The oddest sight of the day was a group of 7 Ruff sitting on the water in the middle of the lake, looking like a group of Juv Sabine's Gull's! They stayed for at least 10 minutes.   Other birds at Collard's included 6 Pintail, 118 Tufted Duck, 5 Goldeneye and 91 Gadwall.

(Brendan Ryan)

Grove Ferry today from 6.40 - 11.00am:- 5 Marsh Harriers (3 male), 16 Ruff, 4 Shelducks, 1 ringtail Hen Harrier, 1 Kestrel, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Golden Plover, 7 Snipe, 3 Tufted Ducks, 3 Grey Herons, 2 Skylarks, 10 Meadow Pipits, 1 Stonechat, 2 Sparrowhawks, 3 Lesser Black Backed Gulls, 6 Redshanks, 1 Kingfisher, 2 Stock Doves, 4 Gadwall, 870+ Teal, 2800+ Lapwings, 2+ Bearded Tits, 1 Mistle Thrush and 26 Fieldfares. With 169 Cormorants east, 34 Jackdaws & 38 Carrion Crows eat and 116 Mute Swans out.   (Martyn Wilson, Pete Solly & Alan Ashdown) 

I had 3 1/2 hours today, from 12.30 until 4.00 p.m,trying to locate the Penduline Tit,reported for the last two days at stodmarsh, but to no avail.other species noted were, Chaffinch, Wren, Robins, Bluetits, Great Tits, Long Tailed Tits, Siskins, Lesser Redpolls, Great Spotted woodpeckers (2), Black Headed Gulls, Mallard, Teal, Shovelers, Cormorants, Carrion Crows, Marsh Harriers (3), Goldfinches, Goldcrests, Treecreepers (3), Fieldfares, a kingfisher,and a Bullfinch. a Firecrest was seen and heard by two birders,and also a Red necked Grebe was reported on collards lake this afternoon, but the light had faded by the time i passed the viewing point.

(Steve Ashton)

12th January

The Penduline Tit is still present at Stodmarsh and showed at 8.45am and 4pm from near the Boathouse along the Lampen Wall.

11th January

There was a female Penduline Tit seen at 3pm today at Stodmarsh from the Lampen Wall by the Boathouse for c15 mins.

(Peter Heathcote, David Johnson and Robert Brooks)

10th January

Birds seen in the Westbere area included:- 4 Little Grebes, 5 Great Crested Grebes, 20 Cormorants, 4 Herons, 26 Mute Swans, 113 Greylags, 2 Canada Geese, 46 Gadwall, 32 Teal, 22 Mallard, 6 Shovelers, 6 Pochards, 110 Tufted Ducks, 1 Water Rail, 10 Moorhens, 570 Coots, c250 Golden Plovers, c1,000 Black-headed Gulls, 11 Common Gulls, 4 Herring Gulls, 17 GBB Gulls, 1 Pheasant, 12 Woodpigeons, 4 Collered Doves, 1 GS Woodpecker, 5 Wrens, 3 Dunnocks, 6 Robins, 7 Blackbirds, 17 Redwings, 21 Longtailed Tits, 1 Goldcrest, 6 Blue Tits, 5 Great Tits, 4 Jays, 4 Magpies, 30 Jackdaws, 20 Rooks, 24 Crows, 3 Starlings, 8 House Sparrows, 3 Chaffinches, 1 Goldfinch, 2 Bullfinches.   It was a very overcast day with quite a strong SW wind which kept the numbers of small birds down.  We did not hear a single Cetti's, nor did we see a Kingfisher.  The number of Great Crested Grebes has dropped dramatically, whilst the number of Coots continues to rise.  To-day (12th) there has been a single female Goldeneye.

(Sue Morton)  

8th January

From 6.50 until 11.45am at Grove today produced:- 1 Little Egret (north), 5 Marsh Harriers, 183 Golden Plovers, 3 Tufted Ducks (male & 2 females), 2 Kestrels, 3 Grey Herons, 1 ringtail Hen Harrier, 31 Snipe, 12 Ruff, 2 Skylarks, 2 Common Gulls (ad & 1/w), 2 Pochards, 4 Redshanks, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 1 male Sparrowhawk, 1 Little Grebe, 2500+ Lapwings, 1 Water Rail, 5 Gadwall, 800+ Teal, 28 Black Headed Gulls, 230+ Greylag Geese, 2 Lesser Black Backed Gulls, 12+ Reed Buntings and 19 Fieldfares. There was 131 Cormorants east as well as 215 Jackdaws, 24 Carrion Crows & 29 Rooks all east. A record? 131 Mute Swans left roost to pasture.  

(Martyn Wilson, Pete Solly, Alan Ashdown & Steve Ashton)

7th January

Grove Ferry today in dull, grey, misty conditions from 7.00 - 11.00am started with a Bittern at 7.05, 118 Mute Swans left roost as did 20 Fieldfares. Also recorded were:- 14 Ruff, 6 Marsh Harriers, 2 ringtail Hen Harriers, 2 Shelducks, 1 Cetti's, 4 Grey Herons, 120 Golden Plovers, 1 Pied Wagtail, 1 Lesser Black Backed Gull, 3 Pochards, 1 Black Tailed Godwit, 6 Long Tailed Tits, 1 Kingfisher, 17 Snipe, 700+ Teal, 3 Shovelers, 2 Gadwall, 17 Black Headed Gulls, 1800+ Lapwings, 7 Reed Buntings, 1 male Kestrel, 120+ Greylag Geese, 1 Common Gull and 1 male Sparrowhawk while heading back to the car. Also today 19 Cormorants east, 4 Jackdaws, 4 Rooks & 21 Crows east.  

(Martyn Wilson, Pete Solly & Alan Ashdown)

Still dusk conditions at Stodmarsh produced a somewhat muted Marsh Harrier roost – anything from 10 to 15 could have been present though they were never as sociably interactive as they can be behind the perched Cormorants. Hen Harriers were in better numbers again with 3 greys and 3 ringtails scattering Fieldfare flocks from the willow tops on the eastern side.

(Peter Hadrill)

6th January

Just recovered from the 10 + mile slog on new years day, i had 2  hours on the ramp at Grove Ferry from 7.15 am until 9.00 am.the following birds were noted. 74 Mute Swans, 1000+ Lapwings, 150+ Golden Plovers, 14 Common Snipe, 6 Ruff, 2 Redshanks, 9 Black Headed Gulls, 60+ Greylag Geese, 8 Gadwall, Teal, Mallard, 4 Marsh Harriers, (1 male), 2 Kestrels, (male and female) 1 fly by male Sparrowhawk, giving a good view, 3 Magpies, 2 Wren, 1 Dunnock, 1 Reed Bunting, 5 Blue Tits, 25 Jackdaws and 40+ Carrion Crows. There were only 5 Cormorants noted.

(Steve Ashton)

A Group of 5 visited Stodmarsh today (4 from Cowden; 1 from Minster). A great day in the sunshine with the following birds seen. Grove Ferry 9-12:  6 Ruff, 6 Redshank,  a dozen or so Snipe,  6 Long Tailed Tits, Marsh Harrier now and then, Bittern – a few short flights over the reeds to the NW of the viewpoint and one opposite Turf Fields Hide. Dusk at Stodmarsh: 300 - 400 Fieldfares collecting for roosting.  Both Hen and Marsh Harriers showing well  Approx 130 Cormorant collecting for roost.

(Mark Young)

There were 2 Ring-necked Parakeets flying over the car park at Grove Ferry today, Also 2 Bitterns from the green hide and a male Hen Harrier.

(Chris Abrams)

2nd January

Grove Ferry today from 6.50am till 12.30pm started with the 2 Bewick's Swans again on the main flood until 7.26 when they flew out eastwards towards ash levels, then 2 Whooper Swans came out of the right hand pool flew east past the ramp turned & flew back west passing close to the ramp heading down the valley towards Stodmarsh/Collards! 81 Mute Swans left to pasture, there were 5 Marsh Harriers, 2 Water Rails, 3 Redshanks, 1 Pheasant, 4 Bearded Tits, 27+ Snipe, 7 Redwings, 264 Golden Plovers, 2 Shelducks, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Cetti's Warbler. Feeding on the ramp were 8 Reed Buntings, 1 female Chaffinch & a Dunnock. A Peregrine Falcon flew through at 9.20, 1 Pied Wagtail, 3 Common Gulls, 24 Black Headed Gulls, a pair of Kingfishers, 2 Stonechats, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Tufted Duck, 350+ Teal, 1800+ Lapwings, 1 Little Egret, 3 Ruff, 2 Kestrels, 1 Pintail, 1 Bittern and 24 Fieldfares. With 120 Jackdaws east, 11 Carrion Crows east and 8 Rooks east but only 5 Cormorants east.  

(Martyn Wilson)

1st January - (Happy New Year)

A determined effort to record as many species as possible in the Stour Valley in one day on foot, from 6.20am till 3.15pm starting at Grove Ferry, taking in Stodmarsh and Collards Lake and back to Grove and despite constant rain and drizzle we recordeed 82 species.   The day started brilliantly with Marc finding a Tawny Owl in trees above the road on Grove Hill at 6.23, then the 2 Bewick's Swans leaving a back pool at 7.42, 120 Mute Swans flew out to pasture, 135 Cormorants east,130 Jackdaws east and 34 Carrion Crows east. The rest of the days counts were as follows:- 1 Black Tailed Godwit, 3 Golden Plovers, 1 Ruff, 3 Green Sandpipers, 1 Redshank, and at least 17 Snipe, 2 Kestrels, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 ringtail Hen Harrier, and a massive count of 16 Marsh Harriers, only 1 Great Crested Grebe (at Collards) and 1 Goldeneye (Collards), 1 Bittern, 4 Grey Herons, 2 Shelducks, 7 Pintail, plus many  Teal, Shoveler, Mallard Pochard, Gadwall and Tufted Ducks,plus 1300+ Wigeon. 1 Little Egret, several Pheasants, 3+ Water Rails, Moorhens and Coots. Gulls included passage of Herring Gulls with the odd Lesser Black Backed and 1 Greater Black Backed as well as many Black Headed and 5 Common Gulls on the various lakes. At least 2 Kingfishers seen, 1 Stock Dove, 3 Collared Doves and 100+ Woodpigeons,2 male & 1 female Bullfinch seen + others heard, several Chaffinches, Siskins, Lesser Redpolls and Goldfinches and a few Greenfinches along with many Blue Tits, 12+ Long Tailed Tits and Several Great Tits. 1 Jay, 14+ Reed Buintings, 8 Magpies, 1 Chiffchaff, Several Goldcrests and a small number of Bearded Tits, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 4 Stonechats, 334 Fieldfares, plus a few Redwings and Song Thrushes, 1 Mistle Thrush,1 Water Pipit, 1 Pied Wagtail, 1 Dunnock, 1 Wren, 3 Skylarks and 6 Meadow Pipits, 5 Cetti's Warblers, 6 Robins, 1000 Lapwings, 1 Linnet, 1 Treecreeper, a couple of House Sparrows, several thousand Starlings and 200+ Greylag Geese. Last two species of the day were 1 Little Grebe on the river and 2 flyby Rooks at 3.00pm.  

(Marc Heath, Martyn Wilson, John Cantelo, Alan Ashdown & Steve Ashton)