July Sightings

Sightings can be Emailed to:

      Martyn Wilson -  martynwilson@talktalk.net  

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

  Marc Heath - Heathym007@aol.com   

For more photographs of birds in the Stour Valley click here

For more of Marc Heath's Photographs, please click here

31st July

I made a 5am start at Grove Ferry this morning and again birded the Grove end of the reserve until 8.30am. Birds noted were 1 Water Rail, 11 Greylag Geese, 5 Green Woodpecker, 13 Green Sandpiper, 1 Shelduck, 6 Little Egret, 1 Common Sandpiper, 6 Cetti's Warbler, 4 Grey Heron, 1 Whimbrel early on from the main pool, 1 Little Grebe, 1 juvenile Great crested Grebe, 2 Turtle Dove, 2 Great spotted Woodpecker, 3 Common Tern and 5 Marsh Harrier including 3 juvenile. There were 3 Black tailed Godwit, 2 Ruff, 1 Greenshank, 2 Willow Warbler, 3 Chiffchaff, 50 Black headed Gull, 2 Common Gull, 3 Bearded Tit, 1 Blackcap, good numbers of juvenile Reed and Sedge Warblers seen with juvenile Whitethroats plentiful along the entrance track to the ramp.

(Marc Heath)

28th July

With some better weather forecast, I decided on a visit to Grove again this morning to see what was about. I arrived at 5.45am and birded the Grove end till 8.30am before going home for breakfast. The undoubted highlight was a superb Stone Curlew that flew west at 6.20am following a Cormorant. I originally picked it out flying over the Feast hide and managed a few record shots of the occasion before it was lost to view over Stodmarsh. This was a new valley tick for me and only the second record of the species I know of in the valley recording area, patch watching at its best! Other bits of quality were 6 Crossbill flying north calling at 6.40am and 1 Whimbrel east. Other bits noted after the excitement were 16 Green Sandpiper, 2 Little ringed Plover, 4 Marsh Harrier, 7 Black tailed Godwit, 2 Tufted Duck, 3 Common Sandpiper, 4 Common Tern, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Grey Heron, 2 Little Egret, 84 Greylag Geese, 2 Turtle Dove and 1 Green Woodpecker. There were c40 Lapwing, 1 juvenile Great crested Grebe, 1 Water Rail, 1 Jay, 1 Greenshank, 1 Garganey, 3 Cetti's Warbler, 15 Black headed Gull, 1 Common Gull, 1 Kestrel, 1 Great spotted Woodpecker, c100 Mallard in various plumages and a few Reed and Sedge Warbler noted around the reserve.

(Marc Heath)

27th July

A visit to Grove Ferry today produced among the commener species, 3 Common Sandpiper, 16 Green Sandpiper, 1 Wood Sandpiper, 2 Little ringed Plover, 7 Black tailed Godwit and 4 Marsh Harrier including 2 juvenile birds.

(Steve Ashton)

24th July

Despite the heavy rain this morning, I paid a visit to Grove Ferry for 2 hours hoping waders might have been grounded. I spent most of the time in the hides sheltering from the rain but occasional sun was seen from time to time. Birds noted were 4 Marsh Harrier including 3 juvenile, 1 Turtle Dove, 1 Sparrowhawk with a kill, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 14 Green Sandpiper, 6 Black tailed Godwit, 1 Common Sandpiper, 4 Little ringed Plover, c20 Black headed Gull, 1 Common Gull, 2 Common Tern and 4 Little Egret. There were 2 Greenshank, 2 Grey Heron, 2 Pochard, 2 Water Rail, 3 Ruff, 33 Greylag Geese, 1 Garganey from the ramp, 1 Green Woodpecker, c100 Sand Martin through with a few Swift, 2 Bearded Tit and c60 mallard in various plumages.

(Marc Heath)

21st July

I arrived at Grove Ferry this morning at 4.45am where I was greeted by a singing Blackbird, Skylark and purring Turtle Dove. I stayed and birded the Grove end of the reserve until 8.30am and noted the following. 20 Green Sandpiper, 3 Greenshank, 11 Little Egret, 3 Grey Heron, 3 Turtle Dove, 1 Blackcap, 17 Greylag Geese, 5 Shoveler, 6 Marsh Harrier, 2 Skylark, 1 Garganey from Harrisons, 3 Common Tern, 2 Bearded Tit, 2 Ruff, 2 Kestrel, 2 Water Rail, 4 Pochard, 1 Tufted Duck, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Shelduck, 2 Little ringed Plover including 1 juvenile, 1 Great spotted Woodpecker, 1 Green Woodpecker, 3 Swift and a few Sand Martin through.

(Marc Heath)

19th July

Birdiing just the Grove Ferry end this morning produced, 2 Turtle Doves, 4 Greenshank, 16 Green Sandpipers, 7 Grey Herons, 1 juvenile Shelduck and 9 Little Egrets. Eclipse ducks included Mallard, Gadwall, Shoveler, Teal, 5 Pochards and 2 Tufted Ducks and Warblers had were, 1 singing Whitethroat, 1 Singing Blackcap, Sedge Wablers, and a few Reed Warblers. There were 3 Common Terns, 2 Ruff, 1 Dunlin, 2 Ringed Plovers, 2 Kestrels, 3 Marsh Harriers, 2 Bearded Tits, 1 Water Rail and 42 Greylag Geese in the Cow field. A number of Swifts were whizzing about with a few Sand Martins, 1 or 2 Swallows and a dozen House Martins up by the White House. Just 29 Black-headed Gulls on the main pool today.

(Martyn Wilson & Pete Solly)

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18th July

A short few hours in the valley this morning noting 4 Hobbies feeding over Feast hide and pool at 4.30am. There were 14 Green Sandpipers, 1 juvenile Shelduck, 9 Little Egrets, 4 Greenshank, 1 Kestrel, 5 Marsh harriers and 3 Water Rails. Lots of moulting duck with Mallard and Shoveller the most numerous with several Gadwall 2 Pochard and 1 female Wigeon as well. There were, 2 Chiffchaffs, 2 Blackcaps, 1 Garden Warbler and the odd Reed warbler and Sedge Warbler singing. Bearded Tits were heard near Paddy's Bench and 100 Swifts flew west  with a couple of Swallows and Sand Martins seen as well. Also today were 5 Turtle Doves, 2 Ruff, 1 Dunlin, 3 Stock Doves, 4 Green Woodpeckers, 9 Common Terns, 7 Great-crested Grebes and 62 Black-headed Gulls.

(Martyn Wilson, Mark Cidwick & Steve Ray)

14th July

A couple of brief visits to Grove Ferry today to see if any wader migration is taking place. Birds noted were 46 Black headed Gull present, 1 Blackcap, 21 Green Sandpiper, 4 Greenshank, 14 Greylag Geese, 3 Common Tern, 4 Shelduck, 3 Ringed Plover, 3 Grey Heron, 5 Bearded Tit, 1 Kestrel, 2 Skylark, 4 Little Egret, 3 Marsh Harrier, 1 Water Rail and 1 Ruff. There were 4 Tufted Duck, 1 Hobby, 1 Little ringed Plover, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Redshank, c50 Lapwing and a steady stream of Herring Gull west. A quick look at butterflies produced 1 Common Blue, a few Gatekeeper and Meadow Brown, 1 fresh Painted Lady and a few 'Whites'. On the way home, I witnessed a birding first for me, A Hobby catching a Swift in flight.

(Marc Heath)

12th July

An awful morning with overcast skies, drizzle and strong south/westerlies although it was brightened up late morning by the arrival of Steve Ashton, Mike Gould and Norman McCanch oh, and the sun, and lively conversation. I did not do the circuit today as it was far to wet and feared I might succumb to a Jaguar or some other jungle predator, or, more to the point, a drenching that would take two industrial sized bath towels to dry of with!!! Mark though, did brave it as he was equipped with Wellies plus water-proof trousers and coat. Viewing off the Grove Ferry end is becoming more restricted by the day with Reeds and vegetation growing fast in front of Harrison's and Feast hides, too much water at Feast hide and Savi's pool completely lost behind Reedmace and Fragmites. There were 16 Little Egrets feeding in Baillon's pool first thing and other sightings included the pair of Shelduck with three juveniles, 12 Green Sandpipers, 2 Greenshank, 2 Hobbies, 2 Little-ringed Povers, 3 Ringed Plovers and 11 Marsh Harriers (7 juveniles). There were 5 Common Terns, 2 Kestrels, 2 Water Rails, 7 Grey Herons, 1 Sparrowhawk and 1 Whitethroat and a few Reed & Sedge Warblers struggling to sing against the wind. At 8.15 a juvenile Mediterranean Gull dropped in for a drink and a wash before flying off again (only the third one this year) and there was a roosting flock of 60+ Sand Martins out at 6.30. Lapwing numbers up to around 300 with 1 Swift and 7 Swallows seen plus 1 Turtle Dove.

(Martyn Wilson & Mark Chiddwick)

11th July

A couple of hours valley birding this morning with just a female Shelduck and her three well grown youngsters, a Swan family of 2 adults and 6 cygnets and 3 Black-headed Gulls (1 adult with droopy wing & 2 immatures) were all that were present from the ramp. Mark Chiddwick was already in position but left at 6.00am for work, I did the whole circuit and found I was glad I had my satnav with me for direction, as all the footpaths are well overgrown with some almost impassable. It would seem that if you are shorter than 5'5'' you are completely out grown by vegetation and if like my you are over six foot then the overhanging trees smack you in the face. God help you if it's a dewy morning or it has been raining as the amount of water that brushes of the jungle like foliage almost drowns you. Also where it has been cut to maybe not interfere with your pony-tail, the chopped branches are left on the path causing yet another hazzard. Luckily I have short hair and it wasn't wet today so made it round in one piece. A feeling of neglect is certainly apparent when you enter this once great reserve, Shame!! Anyway, back to the birding and on the only visible pools (Harrison's & the main pool plus Water Meadows and Stodmarsh lake) the following were noted, 2 Kestrels, 3 Greenshanks, 14 Little Egrets, 26 Green Sandpipers (22 Harrison's), 4 Ringed Plovers, 2 Swifts, 9 Marsh Harriers (7 juveniles) and 2 Snipe. There were, 9 Turtle Doves, a passing flock of 60 Sand Martins, 1 Jay, 2 Water Rails and 11 Great-crested Grebes. Two juvenile Common Terns were visible on the raft at Stodmarsh but alas like the rest of the reserve this is also has far to much vegetation preventing more Terns breeding. It would be nice to se another couple of rafts out there to attract more Terns or maybe one large raft, 10 adults seen. Also today were, Reed & Sedge Warblers still singing only 2 Whitethroats encountered, 2 Chiffchaffs but no Cetti's today. There was a single female Tufted Duck at the green hide, 11 Grey Herons, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Little-ringed Plover and the first Spotted Redshank of the Autumn over Green hide calling.

(Martyn Wilson)

7th July

I made a couple of brief visits to Grove Ferry today inbetween the showers. After bumping into 'wonder warden', NOT, who was moaning because I was 2 metres off the footpath, I think he believe's he owns the place!!! I noted the following: 1 Green Woodpecker, 3 Greenshank, 23 Green Sandpiper, 1 Blackcap, 4 Shelduck including the 3 large young, 2 Little ringed Plover, 3 Ringed Plover, 9 Marsh Harrier including 6 juveniles, 1 Kestrel, 1 Sparrowhawk, 3 Common Tern, 4 Little Egret, 1 Ruff, 2 Grey Heron, 3 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Peregrine, c80 Lapwing, 2 Cuckoo, 9 Greylag Geese, 2 Bearded Tit, 1 Common Gull, c20 Black headed Gull, a few swift and House Martin as well as singing reed and Sedge Warblers. Butterflies included 2 Comma, 3 Red Admiral, many Meadow Brown, 2 Gatekeeper, 3 Marbled White, 3 Essex Skipper amongst a few Small Skippers, 1 Small Heath, a few 'Whites' and 1 Large Skipper which I believe I have not recorded in the valley before although I'm sure its to be found in a few areas.

(Marc Heath)

5th July

Waders today included 5 Ringed Plovers, one LRP, 2 Greenshank, 27 Green Sandpipers ( max count by others were 31) a single Snipe on the water meadows and a notable influx of returning Lapwings with at least 250 birds. Martyn and I checked out the water meadows that are looking in excellent condition at the moment. We could only manage a single snipe, 2 Green Sandpipers and 6 Little Egrets. Also of note at Grove, 3 Cuckoos including the hepatic female, one Hobby and a Marbled White. Encouraged by yesterday’s success at Collard’s, I made a return visit and was rewarded with the same three Tufted Duck but no Pochard. A single Hobby was over the slag heap

(Brendan Ryan)

4th July

Not a desperately early start but I did manage to beat Martyn to the ramp. Little Egrets continue to build up as they have done in previous Julys. I saw 14 but I understand that others had already dispersed before I arrived.  Waders included 18 Green Sandpipers including 3 on the water meadows, 3 Greenshank, 2 Ringed and Little Ringed Plovers and a single Ruff. One Hobby and a family party of Nightingale were the only other birds of note. At Collard’s 3 Tufted Duck and a Pochard were as good as it got.

(Brendan Ryan)

2nd July

Another brief visit to Grove Ferry was made this morning in already hot conditions. Plenty of Meadow Browns were seen along the entrance track with 2 Marbled White and 1 Small Tortoiseshell also noted. A quick scan from the ramp and Harrisons produced 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackcap, 1 Nightingale seen, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Whitethroat, 10 Little Egret from the ramp, 2 Little ringed Plover, 28 Black headed Gull, 4 Bearded Tit, 17 Green Sandpiper, 3 Ringed Plover, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Skylark, 2 Marsh Harrier, 1 Turtle Dove and Reed and Sedge Warblers singing around the reserve.

(Marc Heath)

1st July

A brief visit to the ramp at Grove Ferry before work produced 1 Kestrel, 2 Cetti’s Warbler, 22 Little Egret on the mud, 3 Common Tern, 2 Cuckoo, 1 Blackcap, 5 Green Sandpiper, 2 Little ringed Plover, the adult shelduck with 3 growing young, 2 Grey Heron, 3 Marsh Harrier, 14 Black headed Gull, 1 Turtle Dove, 1 Greenshank, c10 Lapwing, 1 Sparrowhawk and a few Reed and Sedge Warbler.

(Marc Heath)