Januarysightings09

A bitterly cold wind made viewing at Collard’s difficult this morning with the added problem that most of the duck were sheltering close in to the edge and weren’t visible from my distant view point. Therefore I only managed 35 Tufted Duck but had 2 Goosanders and 11 Goldeneye by way of compensation. Duck counting was order of the day at Stodmarsh where there were 1,850 Teal, 3 Pintail, 140 Mallard, 71 Gadwall, 2 Wigeon, 1 Shoveler, 3 Tufted Duck and 20 Pochard. Other birds seen there included one Bittern and a Water Pipit. On to Westbere where I failed to find Thursday’s Black-necked Grebe so had to count some more duck to keep me occupied. This produced 77 Tufted Duck, 9 Pochard , one Goldeneye and 6 Little Grebe, the latter obviously technically not a duck.

To add to Brendan's tally, there was a smart Mealy Redpoll showing well with a small flock of 4 Lesser Redpolls and 8 Siskins on the Lampen Wall side of the Alder Wood and 3 Woodcocks in the Alder Wood plus I had another fly infront of my car along the Ash Bypass on my way home. Other bits and pieces included, 12 Marsh Harriers, 1 Tawny Owl, 1 Little Owl, 1 Corn Bunting and 3 Little Grebes.

I made a few brief visits into the valley today, a quick look at Grove at dawn, Stodmarsh at lunchtime and Westbere late afternoon. Birds noted included c50 Greylag Geese, 5 Redshank, 6 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Spotted Redshank at Grove, 7 Marsh Harrier, c40 Black headed Gull, 5 Water Pipit, 1 Grey Heron, 5 Tufted Duck, 1 Kingfisher, 3 Stonechat and 2 Golden Plover. I met a birder at Stodmarsh who saw an interesting Grebe on the sheltered part of the main lake opposite the alder wood late morning. Although he only saw for a split second, he was confident that it was not a Little Grebe. At Stodmarsh, 2 Brambling were heard, 1 by John Cantelo, c15 Siskin, c5 Lesser Redpoll, 1 Goldcrest, 2 drake Pintail as well as the usual commoner Ducks. A quick stop at collards produced 5 Goldeneye, 3 drakes, 1 red head Smew in the eastern corner, 2 Buzzard seen near by, 1 Little Owl, c10 Yellowhammer and 1 Coal Tit. Westbere late afternoon was very quiet on the lake but the Black necked Grebe was found in the sheltered Bay just before the Island which was a pleasant surprise. A brief walk along the path towards the river produced c20 Redpoll in a single alder, a scan through them revealing a Mealy Redpoll which was soon flushed by a dog walker. Having never reached 100 species in January, this year has started well with 105 species making the year list.

Feeling somewhat under the weather myself today, I dragged myself over to the valley late afternoon for an hour. For a change I decided on visiting the site where we saw Crossbill on New years day. The weather was miserable but I managed to see 4 Mistle Thrush, 3 Great spotted Woodpecker, 28 Fieldfare, 2 Redpoll over, 1 Common Buzzard, 2 Goldcrest, 4 Long tailed Tit, 1 Treecreeper, 2 Jay and near Collards on the way out, 4 Yellowhammer and c18 Greenfinch. The masses of Jackdaws and Rooks could be heard in the distance making their way to roost.

I spent a few hours at Stodmarsh this morning and later in the day, a brief visit to Grove Ferry. Stodmarsh was very foggy early on so looking for the Grebe had to wait a while. Eventaually it decided to give in and the following were logged. Despite a good search for the Grebe, It could not be found, hopefully it will show to someone soon. Other birds included 10 Brambling feeding together on the floor at the start of the Lampern Wall, this is the largest flock together I have seen in the valley, also c130 Greylag Geese, 5 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Bullfinch, 6 Redwing, 2 Water Rail, c15 Long tailed Tit, 5 Treecreeper, 2 Great spotted Woodpecker, 2 Sparrowhawk and 1 Bittern in flight over the main lake. There were 4 Shelduck, 3 Pintail, 6 Marsh Harrier, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Curlew over the main lake calling, c1000 Lapwing, c300 Teal,18 Pochard, c30 black headed Gull, 2 Common Gull, 3 Golden Plover, 3 Water Pipit, 2 Goldcrest, 1 Green Woodpecker, c20 Siskin, c15 Lesser Redpoll, 3 Little Egret and 1 Little Owl near Collards, thanks Sue. A brief visit to Grove produced 2 Redshank, 1 Spotted Redshank, 2 Marsh Harrier, 2 Grey Heron, 5 Snipe, 1 Ring necked Parakeet, 5 Tufted Duck and 27 Golden Plover and c500 Lapwing.

In ten years of recording in the valley, I have never recorded 100 species in January before, the best being 99 species in 2007. With this in mind I called in at Collards lake after work to try to catch up with the Smew that had been present a few days. The lake seemed very quiet and a scan of the far bank finally revealed the wanted red head Smew. I watched the bird for about 5 minutes in the far eastern corner where it seemed to stay. Other birds seen included 1 red head Goosander, 11 Goldeneye including 3 drakes, 1 displaying, , 26 Mute Swan, 21 Pochard, 5 Stock Dove, 8 Goldfinch, 5 Greenfinch, 1 Yellowhammer, 1 Grey Wagtail and 18 Tufted Duck. There were c2000 Lapwing over Stodmarsh, 1 Great spotted Woodpecker, 2 Green Woodpecker, c39 Fieldfare, 1 Marsh Harrier, c30 Wigeon, 5 Great crested Grebe, 2 displaying to each other and a few hundred Rook and Jackdaw in the area. As I left 2 Little Egret were in the field just south of Collards. I received a phone call from Richard Collins tonight telling me that he had seen the probable Pied billed Grebe around the 12/13th January at Seaton. It looks likely that there is a Pied billed in the area and hopefully it will be pinned down in the next few days.

Another early start at Stodmarsh entering the Reed Bed Hide just after 6.15am to see if the 'Grebe' had taken shelter there, I was joined by Marc Heath a little after 6.30 and we stayed in the hide until 8.30 when Marc had to return home, I then went to the Tower Hide to try for a better view of the lake. No sign today of the probable Pied-billed Grebe but the atrocious weather, with strong to gale force winds and horizontal rain making viewing nigh on impossible, un-aided by crap hides. If you sit down you can't put a scope in front of you and if you stand you have hunch over Quasimodo style and strain your back. If anyone can get into the valley over the coming week it's well worth a try, it needs to be re-found, Phil and I are both 99% sure it is a Pied-billed. Other birds seen in the rain today were, 10 Marsh harriers, 2 Shelduck, 1 Sparrowhawk, at least 1500 Teal, 2 Great-crested Grebes and 8 Common Snipe. There were 2 Hen Harriers (both ringtails) with one hunting the reedbed on and of all morning, 4+ Water Pipits ( a bit less than yesterdays 25+ at Marsh Hide), 2 Bearded Tits, 3 Pintail (2 drakes), 2 Green Woodpeckers and 1 Water Rail. There were, 4 Wigeon, 19 Pochard, 7 Shovelers, 35 Gadwall, 3 Tufted Ducks and 1 Grey Heron. On the way back at the Alder Wood there was a flock of 30+ Lesser Redpolls feeding on the Lampen Wall and amongst them was a single Mealy Redpoll standing out in his more monochromatic plumage of grey & white, slightly bigger bulkier apperance and large white wingbars unlike the lesser's thin buffy wingbars. Also in this area were, 2 Jays, 50+ Siskins, 1 Great-spotted Woodpecker, 8 Goldfinch, 7 Chaffinch and a mixed flock of Blue, Great & Long-tailed Tits. Hopefully the Grebe will be re-found!! Marc also had a Green Sandpiper and a Spotted Redshank in the flooded fields by Grove Ferry on his way home.

A brief afternoon visit to Collards in search of Smew was unproductive but in searching for them, I noted 2 red head Goosanders still present together and 1 Bittern flew west across the lake. I then called in at Stodmarsh for the last hour of the day and saw 9 Marsh Harrier, 1 ring tail Hen Harrier, 1 Kingfisher, 2 Bearded Tit, 1 Barn Owl hunting along the Lampern Wall, 18 Corn Bunting into roost, c100 Fieldfare, 4 Pintail and good numbers of Teal, Pochard, Shoveler with 4 Great crested Grebe also seen.

First stop of the day was at Cow Corner where there were four Ruff on the flooded water meadows but there were shooters on the opposite back. Not sure that they are allowed to shoot from the footpath but I will leave that to the KOSnetters to debate. Next stop was Collard’s where the duck were all spread out and hidden behind trees etc. So I decided only to count the best duck and ended up with 2 redhead Goosander, a redhead Smew and 7 Goldeneye. There were 3,110 Lapwing in the field above the lake and a Tree Sparrow calling from a nearby hedge was presumably one of the two that has been around since the end of last year. While at Collard’s I was able to year tick Marc Heath a now rare visitor these days. The rest of the day was a bit of a wild goose chase. I was near Stodmarsh village trying to tape lure Red-legged Partridge, (sad but true) when a flock of geese containing a small short necked bird flew towards the Marsh Hide. I set off in hot pursuit and walked from Stodmarsh to Grove and back before finally pinning down the flock near the Reed bed hide and managed to identify a Tundra Bean Goose and imm White-front. The rest of the day was spent trying to pin down Martyn’s mystery grebe but without success. Five additions to the year list taking me to 97, my best ever January total

A day at Stodmarsh was planned and on arriving at the car park just after 6.00am I found Alan waiting in the dark so I jumped in his car for a chat when a while later Marc Heath arrived after prowling the lanes since 5.30am and recording 5 Tawny Owls. We were then joined by Pete Solly then Steve Ray, Steve Ashton and finaly Phil Parker. As we made our way onto the reserve Steve, Steve, Alan and Pete headed to the Reed Bed Hide while Marc, Phil and I headed of towards the Marsh Hide. At undertrees farm there was a Barn Owl (the first of the year) and standing on the corner by Newborns Farm we watched the Harrier roost leave. There were 9 Marsh Harriers and 1 ringtail Hen Harrier while two more ringtials were seen from Reed Bed Hide by the others, a Jack Snipe was flushed as we walked to the hide and we located a Tundra Bean Goose and a juvenile White-fronted Goose leaving the reserve with 153 Greylags, 3 Common Snipe were also seen. A Green Sandpiper flew high over the Lampen Wall and from Marsh Hide there were upwards of 25 Water Pipits plus 20+ Meadow Pipits. Fieldfares and Redwings were passing over in small numbers and there were 9 Pheasants, a small flock of Long-tailed Tits and a Green Woodpecker seen. Marc left to twitch Goosanders at Collard's while Phil and I made our way round to the lake. The Alder wood had 2 Jays, several Chaffinch, Blue & Great Tits, 50-60 Siskins, 40+ Lesser Redpolls, 6 Goldfinch, 3 Woodcocks and a male Brambling (seen by Dave). We met up again with Pete, Steve, Steve and Alan along with Gadget in the Reed Bed Hide where they'd senn at least 2 Bitterns on four occasions. The lake held 1200+ Teal, 3 drake Pintail, 4 Wigeon, 42 Gadwall, 2 Great-crested Grebes and 18 Pochard. As Phil and I left for Collard's, Steve phoned to say Mr Ray had found a drake Smew on the lake. At Collard's we soon located the 2 redhead Goosanders plus 3 Canada Geese which were new year ticks for us both and the Little Owl was showing at Stodmarsh Court farm. Phil and I went back to Stodmarsh to try and see the Smew but, without any success but Phil did find a Grebe that he initially thought was a Red-necked but, although distant, showed all the salient features for adult winter Pied-Billed Grebe. So if anyone is in the Stodmarsh area over the next few days it may be worth a look. The bird was seen on the far side of the main lake.

A brief 30 minute visit to the ramp at Grove before work was made before the weather closed in again. The most obvious birds were Lapwings with c1100 birds at Grove and over Stodmarsh. Also c350 Teal from the main pool and 2 Mute Swan, 23 Greylag Geese, 2 Wigeon, 2 ring tail Hen Harrier flew towards Sarre and 5 Marsh Harrier passed through. There were 2 Water Pipit, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Snipe, 6 Fieldfare, 2 Redwing, 5 Cormorant, 1 drake Shoveler, 4 Stock Dove, 1 Cetti’s Warbler, c80 Woodpigeon and a steady procession of mainly Herring Gulls west.

I made a visit to Collards after work to see if any winter duck remained or a Bittern could be seen. Luckily the rain had at last stopped so I spent an hour in the area. Not that much of note but the following were logged: 27 Tufted Duck, 3 Goldeneye including 1 drake, 4 Great crested Grebe, 5 Marsh Harrier, 57 Fieldfare, 31 Great black backed Gull, 1 Lesser black backed Gull, c200 Black headed Gull, c170 Coot and 1 Kestrel. There were 11 Pochard, 21 Goldfinch, 1 Great spotted Woodpecker, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Grey Heron, c15 Chaffinch, c800 Lapwing in the area, a few hundred Jackdaw and Rook into roost and at dusk 1 Sparrowhawk.

Not the best of conditions to say the least, c.1600 Teal viewed from the ramp at midday were noteworthy. 50 Lapwing ; a pair of Gadwall and 4 Wigeon in amongst the Teal. 1 Water Pipit and male and female Marsh Harriers from Harrisons hide.

As ever lately, most of the pools were frozen over when I made a brief lunchtime visit during lunch and again after work at Grove Ferry. Most birds seemed to be elsewhere but I managed a lunchtime 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Spotted Redshank flew into the Green hide pools, 1 Green woodpecker, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Grey Heron, 3 Little Egret, 1 Stonechat, 30 Snipe, c500 Lapwing and 1 Water Pipit. After work at Grove produced 8 Snipe, 4 Golden Plover, 1 Yellowhammer west, 4 Marsh Harrier, 1 Redshank heard, 1 Cetti's Warbler, c80 Greylag Geese, 7 Canada Geese, c90 Fieldfare, 8 Corn Bunting into roost, 1 Water Pipit, 2 Redwing and c500 Lapwing.

I made a couple of visits into the valley today taking in Collards early this morning and then a brief look at Westbere and Grove Ferry late this afternoon. Collards held 10 Canada Geese which flew over towards Stodmarsh lake, 1 Greylag Goose, 3 Goldeneye, 1 drake, 2 Pied Wagtail, 2 Marsh Harrier, 1 Grey Wagtail, 5 Mute Swan, c100 Wigeon, c240 Coot, 1 Yellowhammer, 1 Great crested Grebe, c30 Siskin, 21 Lapwing, 1 Green Woodpecker and 1 Kestrel. A quick look at Westbere which was quiet on the duck front produced 4 Mute Swan, 4 Great crested Grebe, 1 Bullfinch, 21 Tufted Duck, 2 Goldeneye, 1 Grey Heron, 6 Pochard, 4 Siskin feeding in an alder, 13 Long tailed Tit, 1 Treecreeper, 2 Great spotted Woodpecker, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Jay, 1 redpoll over calling and as I left 1 Firecrest showed briefly in brambles by the entrance. Then on to Grove which had 3 Marsh Harrier, 4 Mute Swan, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Water Pipit, 1 Spotted Redshank, 2 Pied Wagtail, 2 Water Rail, 1 Kingfisher, 2 Meadow Pipit, 4 Fieldfare, 2 Jay, 1 Linnet, 1 ring tail Hen Harrier and 5 Golden Plover. There were c500 Lapwing and c150 teal also present.

A brief -0900-1230-excursion into Stour valley territory, took me to the Marsh hide at Stodmarsh, dodging most of the inclement conditions. Highlights (for me!) were 15 Siskins ground feeding at 10m distance on footpath through the alders; 4 Water Pipits at the Marsh Hide pool and 4 female and 1 male Marsh Harrier and a male Hen Harrier in that area.

Took heed of the weatherman, and didn’t venture into the field until late morning after the rain had cleared. First stop was to replenish the seed supply at the bunting site. Numbers had dropped since last week and there were no yellowhammers left but Reed Buntings numbered about 100. Viewing conditions at Collard’s are difficult at the best of times but the wind made things even more difficult. I was however able to Count 29 Pochard, 86 Tufted Duck and five Goldeneye. There were 1,300 lapwings a 2 Golden Plover in the adjacent fields but I couldn’t re-locate Martyn’s Yellow-legged Gull. I stopped in later in the afternoon to have a second look at Collard’s. There was a shooting party in the vicinity which had disturbed the duck, however I was able to locate 2 redhead Smew. Next off to Grove in search of year ticks, adding Redshank, Little Egret and Shelduck. I went on to add a further three wader species to the year list, connecting with 2 Spotted Redshank that Steve Ashton had put me onto, then I managed to flush a Jack Snipe from a boggy field between Stodmarsh and Grove and finally in a brief stop at Cow Corner a Green Sandpiper flew over bringing the year list to a respectable 92

Meeting Sreve Ray at the entrance at 7.00am we made are way to a windswept ramp where there was a single drake Pintail and several Teal and Lapwings. Nice to see birds instaed of ice. We then moved on to Harrison's Drove hide as the rain was threatening and from here we saw 6+ Marsh Harriers, 120+ Fieldfares, 5 Water Pipits, 2 Hen Harriers (male & ringtail), 3 Pied Wagtails, a male Stonechat and a Little Egret. The Green Hide was quiet except for 1 Kingfisher and some Teal and Mallards. A look from the ramp on the way out added 2 Shelduck (first for the year), 3 Redshank, 1 Cettis Warbler, a pair of Wigeon and 57 Golden Plovers plus. On to Westbere which despite holding several hundred Gulls none were watchable as they seemed very skitish and took flight to unseen places. At Collard's there were 2 Common Buzzards (1 a smart pale juvenile with a white central tail feather/s), 3 duck Goldeneye (Brendan added 2 drakes), a second winter Yellow-legged Gull, 1 Sparrowhawk, 3 Marsh Harriers, 1 Kestrel, 1 Mistle Thrush and up to 100 Reed Buntings in the set-aside. We also met Brendan here. At the tyre corner near Stodmarsh farm there were 14 Yellowhammers, 1 Goldcrest and a Little Owl. Back to Grove for the final hour or so which, didn't add anything new apart from Brendan ticking off Shelduck, Redshank and Little Egret. The last hour was spent in Green Hide where Steve Ashton & Alan Ashdown had taken up residence and were a new year tick for me, having not seen them since Dec 30th, and the best photo opportunities of the day were to be had. A female Stonechat was seen on the way out by the paddock.

(Martyn Wilson & Steve Ray)

Between 11 & 12.30am today I spotted: 1 Bittern, 1 male Smew, 3 female Goldeneye and a pair of Bullfinches amongst all the usual species.

In the Collard’s/Hersden area today there were 2 Bitterns, plus 4 Goldeneye (one drake), 77 Tufted Duck, 3 Pintail, 34 Pochard, one Little Grebe, 2 Peregrines, one Curlew. One area of set aside was again productive for buntings with at least 120 Reed Buntings, 8 Yellowhammers and a Tree Sparrow. Visits to the Marsh hide added Water Pipit to the year list, while the Firecrest that had been at Fordwich was still present. I didn’t have time to check yesterday’s main Woodcock site but managed to flush three birds from various including one from a field near the Marsh Hide. Clearly there are lots of Woodcock around but there were none today at our traditional Woodcock stakeout site near Stodmarsh

A brief look from the ramp at Grove this morning revealled a 'white-out' with everything frozen leaving a barren wasteland, so I made my way to Harrison's where I stayed until 8.00am. Marsh Harriers leaving roost struggled but eventually reached 11 plus there were 4 Hen Harriers (1 male & 3 ringtails), and apart from dispersing Fieldfares, 2 Cetti's Warbler calling , 1 Kestrel and the usual corvid movement, not much was had. Because of the enforced removal, by Natural England, of the feeding station meant no passerines were seen (and in such harsh weather!). I moved on to Fordwich to walk the river to Westbere and in the ditch by the road at the start were, 1 Snipe, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Little Egret and a Wren. There were several Goldfinch, Chaffinch, Blue and Great Tits in the first few hundred yards and a bird flushed from the path aproaching the lakes was a drake Teal and not the expected Woodcock. A Mediterranean Gull flew over calling but I failed to relocate it at Westbere where there were again several thousand Gulls but, after 2 hours of searcking and Gulls dropping in constantly, the only 'yellow-legged' Gulls I could find were Common and Lesser Black-backed. Only three of the later. Ther was 1 redhaed Smew, 1 redhead Goldeneye, 9 Wigeon and similar numbers of Tufted and Pochard as Brendan had yesterday plus 1 Teal and 2 Great-crested Grebes. Also at Westbere a Cetti's Warbler, 1 Jay, 1 Great-spotted Woodpecker, 5 Golcrests and a Bittern. A Bullfinch was calling near the Marsh Tit site as I left. At Collard's there were 12+ Yellohammers, 1 Jay, 1 Great-spotted Woodpecker, 1 Little Owl (enjoying the sun), and a single Chiffchaff. I saw 1 drake Goldeneye on the lake and on the ice were hundreds of Gulls and another few thousand on Hersden lake ice, all to far to possitively identify any scarcities. A brief look at Stodmarsh revealed no sign of yesterdays drake Mandarin but, 300+ Teal on the ince plus many Mallards. Two Marsh Harriers were quartering the reeds and 12+ Long-tailed Tits were along the nature trail plus a Green Woodpecker.

An early start with the temperature -6°. I walked the river from Fordwich to Westbere where a small stretch of water was ice free. The 2 Redhead Smew were still present along with 49 Pochard, 138 Tufted Duck, 3 Wigeon, 930 Coot, 2 Great cr Grebes and 4 Little grebes plus another 2 on the river. 60 Fieldfare left a roost in the sallows. Other birds of note included single Chiffchaff and Treecreeper, 40 Siskins and 3 Redpolls. A Woodcock was flushed from the path, the first of an amazing 24 that I recorded at various points in the valley during the day. Next stop was Collard’s where again a small area of water remained unfrozen, holding 5 Goldeneye, inc 3 drakes, 5 Pintail, 82 Tufted Duck, 19 Pochard, 400 Teal and 630 Coot. 4 Curlew flew over, and there were 80 Reed Buntings, 20 Yellowhammers and 2 Grey Wagtails in the area. A brief stop at Grove to check on the Waxwing situation added 4 Grey Partridge, a Stonechat and another 2 Curlews to the day list. I joined Martyn at Westbere for the afternoon gull session but saw nothing of note apart from a single Goldeneye and another Grey Wagtail. Finally we spent the last hour of daylight on the Lampen Wall where the highlight was a drake Mandarin and 2 ringtail Hen Harriers. Managed 78 species for the day.

In addition to Brendan's list I had a 3rd/winter Caspian Gull and an adult Yellow-legged Gull at Westbere this afternoon but, due to some disturbance could not be relocated. There were at least 3000 Gulls present, mostly Black-headed and Herring with, 6 adult Lesser Black-backed and a dozen adult Great Black-backs. Plus variuos aged Gulls from juvenile -fourth winter.

Hi-saw a Bittern fly a loop over the river and come back in the area east of the last lake-the lake nearest to Westbre . Also saw flock of Siskin and Goldfinches along the river nearer Fordwich. A birder saw 2 Smew he said on the lake(unfrozen bit).-this was from 0830-1030am today.

Arrived at Grove Ferry at 7.40 a.m. A frozen waste. Fieldfares leaving the paddock roost, Cetti's Warbler ticking in the reeds and often showing quite well. No wildfowl at Grove but Mallard and Teal on the river and a party of 11 White-fronted Geese flew in from south and headed west towards Stodmarsh. Along the river, one Water Pipit strutting about on the ice on the flooded fields, a Woodcock flushed near the path (Lapwing and Snipe only other waders seen), four Lesser Redpolls in riverside trees. On reaching the Lampen Wall, Kingfishers heard within the flooded wooded area. A female Sparrowhawk flew along the wall. On the main lake, hundreds of Teal and Mallard and a few Shoveler and a flock of Greylag Geese. A pair of Bearded Tits feeding quietly at the southern end of the wall. In the alder wood, a Treecreeper, Goldcrest and c30 Siskins. By Newdowns Farm, a flock of c150 Fieldfares flew into the tall trees but only three Redwings amongst them. Very quiet between here and Grove Ferry. As I reached Harrison Drove, a Curlew was heard from the direction of Grove Ferry and a cock Stonechat was near the New Green David Feast Turf Field Hide. Next stop Westbere where there was an area of open water upon which there were two redhead Smew, a redhead Goldeneye and other ducks (including Wigeon, Gadwall, Pochard and Tufted Duck). A single Little Grebe was on the river and a Bittern showed well as it flew around the lake before pitching into the reeds. A male Sparrowhawk and Goldcrest was also seen here. Lastly to Collards which was almost completely frozen save for a small area too close to the trees to see properly. There were 12+ Yellowhammers near the piles of tyres and a Little Owl close to the road on the opposite side. A total of 70 species. Left at 2.20 p.m.

A few hours in the valley today produced at Grove Ferry, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 22 Marsh Harriers, 2 ringtail Hen Harriers, 6 Corn Buntings, 2 Water Pipits, 2 Bullfinch and a male Stonechat. Also at Grove today, 1 Redshank, several Snipe and a flock of 19 Linnets that flew past the ramp and over the Paddock. At Westbere the lake is 95% frozen and not many Gulls to look through but 3 duck Goldeneye still there. I didn't look for the Black-necked Grebe but did see 1 Little Grebe. Collard's was also nearly all frozen with several hundred Teal standing on the margins and several Gulls in the middle of the ice, 5 Godeneye (3 drakes) diving in the small open area plus many Wigeon as well as several POchard and Tufted Duck and 2 drake Pintail. A Little Eggret was with the cows on the south side of the road.

Happy New Year!!!! The start of the new year had some of the Valley regulars making an appearance in anticipation of continuing the good run of birds that 2008 had brought. Marc, Martyn, Phil, Sue and visiting birder Steve from Horley in Sussex were present at the ramp at first light and spend most of the day visiting various sites within the boundary. Despite the dull conditions, we managed 77 species which included some good quality birds. 3 ring tail Hen Harrier's passed through Grove early on along with the usual Marsh Harrier brigade, a Woodcock was flushed along Baillon's pool and 2 Water Pipits showed from Harrisons hide. Walking back along the river 2 Waxwing were seen distantly dropping down near the ramp but were not relocated. A single Waxwing was seen well in the afternoon on the feeder tree and later at 3pm Mark Chidwick had 11 Waxwing in the paddock. Other birds seen included 1 Spotted Redshank, 1 Merlin, the Black necked Grebe at Westbere, well done Phil! and 2 Goldeneye. A visit to the Collards area produced 2 Crossbill, 1 Coal Tit and 1 Common Buzzard. Collards itself had 2 Goldeneye and a few thousand Gulls loafing around on the ice. Some common birds were missed including Pheasant, Siskin, Redpoll and Redwing to name a few but a good day was had by all. Lets hope the quality continues. Many thanks to Steve for joining us .