March Sightings

Sightings can be Emailed to:

      Martyn Wilson - martyn@wilson5834.freeserve.co.uk  

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

  Marc Heath - Heathym007@aol.com   

31st March

A quick post work visit to Grove in the hope of adding Sedge Warbler or Yellow Wagtail before the end of March. Alas four Sand Martins were the only summer migrants seen and the only other thing of note were three Green Sandpipers. One new and unwelcome arrival was spotted in the form of a machine for dispensing parking tickets in the car park. Such a shame that KOSnet is no more, we could have debated the merits of pay and display birding for many months to come.

(Brendan Ryan)

29th March

With Brendan logging the first Blackcap of the year yesterday at Westbere lakes, I decided to have a walk from Westbere through to Fordwich for a few hours early on. The dawn chorus was in fine tune with House Sparrow, Dunnock, Wren, Blackbird, Chiffchaff, Cetti's Warbler with the background noise of noisy Greylag and Canada Geese calling. I walked the river walk logging 9 Greylag Geese, 2 Canada Geese, 12 Cetti's Warbler, 5 Green Woodpecker, 1 Treecreeper singing, 5 Siskin and 1 Little Grebe. I finally managed to find my target species, the Blackcap singing and showing along the footpath at the back of the lakes. I heard a call that I immediately thought was a Nuthatch, it continued to call but I could not locate the bird. After waiting a while, a Cetti's Warbler showed and gave an excellent impression of a Nuthatch call. Had I not seen the Warbler I would have left thinking Nuthatch. Other birds noted were 1 grey Heron, 2 Yellowhammer, 4 Tufted Duck, 7 Great crested Grebe, 5 Long tailed Tit, 4 Jay, 1 Brambling, 3 Bullfinch, 1 Redpoll and around the entrance by the railway line were c20 Sand Martin and 3 Swallow over the lake. It seems at last that the migrants are arriving.

(Marc Heath)

I started mid morning at Grove where a single Ringed Plover (first of the year) was the only thing of note. It only stayed about ten minutes before continuing north. I was joined by Mr Cantelo and we progressed together to Collard’s where highlights included a single Swallow and Buzzard and 7 Yellowhammers. On the duck front there were 4 Goldeneye, 2 Wigeon, 110 Tufted Duck, 15 Pochard and 64 Shoveler.

(Brendan Ryan)

28th March

Dusted the cobwebs off my bins and went out into the valley this afternoon once the rain had abated. I started at Westbere in the hope of finding some hirundines. Needless to say there were none but a singing Blackcap was new for the year. 3 Chiffchaffs were also singing and on the lake there were 19 Gt-cr Grebes, 7 Tufted Duck and a single Pochard. At Cow Corner, a Little Egret amongst the cows caused a brief scare. There were 48 Greylags and 3 Canada Geese in the water meadows. The windy conditions made view at Collard’s difficult but it was able to pick out 40 Sand Martins and at least one Swallow over the water. On the duck front there were 5 Goldeneye including 3 drakes and 92 Tufted Duck. A final stop at Grove produced 114 Teal, 2 Water Pipits including a splendid bird in summer plumage and a single White Wagtail

(Brendan Ryan)

27th March

I only managed a brief 30 minutes at Westbere lakes before work and I was hoping for an early Blackcap, my earliest record being the 29th March. I made my way to an area where in the past I normally get one but nothing could be heard or seen. Birds noted however were 5 Tufted Duck, 1 Swallow low over the lake towards Fordwich, 5 Sand Martin feeding high over the lake, 4 Chiffchaff, 1 Sparrowhawk, 5 Greylag Geese, 1 Marsh Harrier, 8 Great crested Grebe, 2 Canada Geese, 1 Cetti's Warbler as well as singing Wren, Dunnock, Blue and Great Tit, Goldfinch to name a few. Maybe the weekend will deliver that Blackcap!

(Marc Heath)

26th March

I made 2 visits into the valley today in the hope of connecting with any migrants, a brief 30 minutes before work at Westbere lakes and an hour at Grove Ferry after work. Birds noted at Westbere were 2 Canada Geese, 3 Greylag Geese, 1 Black Swan, 3 Chiffchaff, 6 Green Woodpecker, 5 Sand Martin high over the lakes, 1 Common Buzzard getting hassle of the local corvids over Trenley woods, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Stock Dove, 1 Great spotted Woodpecker, 1 Goldcrest and many singing Great Tits. After work in cloudy and occasional rain I logged the following at Grove. The highlight was the the first Swallow of the year over the main pool from the ramp which stayed around for most of my visit, although it stayed distant. This is my earliest Swallow record by 3 days in the 10 years of recoding in the valley. Other bits included 5 Shelduck, 11 Tufted Duck, c141 Teal, 23 Gadwall, 12 Shoveler, 1 White Wagtail, 2 Redshank, 3 Marsh Harrier, 2 Green Woodpecker and 1 Skylark. There were 3 Green Sandpiper, 2 Water Pipit in near summer plumage, 3 Cetti's Warbler, 12 Pied Wagtail and 5 Pochard.

(Marc Heath)

25th March

Despite the constant Northerly winds which seem to be slowing migration, I made a brief visit to Grove after work to see what was about, not much. Birds noted were 5 Shelduck, 3 Marsh Harrier, 13 Gadwall, 7 Tufted Duck, 14 Pied Wagtail and 2 White Wagtail from Harrisons, 7 Water Pipit, 1 Redshank, c130 Teal, 1 Shoveler and 5 Pochard. There were 10 Linnet, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Water Rail, 3 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff, 4 Meadow Pipit, 1 Mistle Thrush, 1 Little Owl heard calling from the river and 1 Ring necked Parakeet.

(Marc Heath)

24th March

I made a couple of visits into the valley today when time allowed. A stroll around Grove Ferry and a brief visit to Westbere lakes late afternoon. Birds noted were 4 Shelduck, 1 Black tailed Godwit, 7 Marsh Harrier, 32 Gadwall, 2 Redshank, 7 Tufted Duck, 2 Shoveler, 2 Green Woodpecker, 2 Skylark, 12 Water Pipit, 5 Pochard, 1 Water Rail, 1 male White Wagtail from Harrisons, 6 Pied Wagtail, 1 Sparrowhawk, 5 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Little ringed Plover, 3 Grey Heron and 8 Wigeon. The pair of Garganey were seen briefly at the oxbow lake mating before no doubt going off for a rest! Also 8 Chiffchaff, 1 Little Grebe, 2 Jay and 2 Common Buzzard. c30 Meadow Pipit were in fields around the Marsh Hide and c100 Teal noted from the ramp.

(Marc Heath)

There were about 20 Sand Martins at Westbere Lake at 8 a.m. this morning, flying over the sheltered part of the lake nearest to the railway line, but by 9 a.m. they had all moved through and were not seen again.

(Sue Morton)

21st March

Highlights of a morning at Stodmarsh/Grove today were, 1 Red Kite at 13.05, the pair of Garganey still on the Oxbow lake, 1 Hen Harrier, 42 Water Pipits (35 at Marsh Hide & 7 at Harrison's Drove) and 2 Little Owls in the single Oak (near the Oxbow). The Stodmarsh Court Farm Little Owls are no longer present as the nesting/roosting tree has now been removed.

(Martyn Wilson & Alan Ashdown)

20th March

A Spoonbill drifted west over the Marsh Hide at 2.50 while at dusk one Bittern performed well at 6.45 and a Barn Owl was seen

(Derek Smith)

I saw a Goosander on the lake near Westbere(near Bretts works)-was a female around 1224hrs.

(Graham Mitchell)

What a lovely day, weather wise although it was ashame that work had to get in the way. I did manage though to visit Westbere lakes at lunchtime for 45 minutes and Grove Ferry after work for a couple of hours. Birds noted lunchtime included 2 Marsh Harrier, 1 Common Buzzard, 2 Sparrowhawk, 3 Chiffchaff, 18 Great crested Grebe, 8 Siskin, 1 Jay, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 6 Goldfinch and 1 Green Woodpecker. Grove Ferry was quite productive, Harrisons hide producing 7 Green Sandpiper, 4 Little ringed Plover and 6 Water Pipit. Other bits included c150 Teal, 3 Little Egret, 1 Ring necked Parakeet, 5 Tufted Duck, 6 Shelduck, 9 Pied Wagtail, 2 Water Rail, 9 Gadwall and 4 Shoveler. There were 4 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Redshank, 4 Snipe, 2 Sparrowhawk, 2 Grey Heron, 3 Pochard, 1 Green Woodpecker and 1 Marsh Harrier. there were quite a few Reed Buntings around the reserve but a major concern at the lack of Bearded Tits, where are they all? John Tilbrook also saw the pair of Garganey at the Oxbow lake still. New butterflies at Westbere today were singles of Comma and Small Tortoiseshell.

(Marc Heath)

17th March

I spent a few hours in the valley at various times, walking the Grove/Stodmarsh circuit early on and later a brief visit to westbere lakes before returning back to Grove late aftenoon. In mostly sunny conditions, the following were seen: 3 Green Woodpecker, 12 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Ring necked Parakeet in the Grove Ferry Inn car park, 4 Bullfinch, 11 Shelduck, 7 Tufted Duck, 2 Skylark, 3 Redshank, 1 Little ringed Plovers from the ramp, c140 Teal, 12 Snipe, 2 Jay and 22 Shoveler. Raptors were well represented with 10 Marsh Harrier, 1 ring tail Hen Harriers, 2 Common Buzzard with maybe the same 2 at Westbere lakes, 1 Peregrine, 3 Sparrowhawk and 2 Kestrel. A single Sand Martin was seen high over Stodmarsh lake, also 8 Chiffchaff, 8 Pochard, 14 Water Pipit, c25 Meadow Pipit, 1 Little Owl, 18 Wigeon, c15 Greylag Geese, 1 Stonechat, 1 Little Egret, 6 Great crested Grebe, 6 Siskin, 2 Dunlin (first of the year) were seen by Malcolm McVail and Barry Woodhouse from Harrisons hide which were still there when I looked later. 3 Dunlin were later seen together from the ramp. There were 2 Water Rail, 1 Kestrel as well as the commoner birds seen and singing around the reserve. Chris Bond saw a Firecrest in the alder wood and at Westbere lakes there were 2 Marsh Harrier, 12 Grey Heron, 11 Great crested Grebe, 8 Tufted Duck, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Sparrowhawk, c150 Black headed Gull and 2 Siskin. I returned late aftenoon to Grove again where a number of birders were on the ramp looking for migrants. Chris Bond appeared again letting us know that a pair of Garganey were viewable from the oxbow. When we arrived they eventually showed well before the clouds and mist started to roll in. On the butterfly front, I saw my first 2 Peacock Butterflies of the year. On the way back to the car park at Grove in the field opposite the car park, Malcolm and Barry also had 4 Mistle Thrush’s and 5 Water Pipits.

(Marc Heath)

Found on the ramp this afternoon ( 15th) - A lens cap for a Kowa scope. To claim email Brendan ( see above )

15th March

An early start at Grove failed to produce neither the hoped for Barn Owl nor much else of note. A brief stop at Collard’s en route to Bockhill produced 11 Goldeneye and 30 Redwings but nothing else different from yesterday. I returned to the valley late afternoon after Martyn has alerted me to the presence of a pair of Garganey on the Ox-bow. It was good to connect with these as last year it was late May before I saw one. Also in the Grove area there were 18 Wigeon, 8 Ruff, at least one Green Sandpiper, two Little Egrets and two Little Owls. Dusk at Stodmarsh failed to produce any Bitterns by the time I left at 6.45, although a numbers of observers were still present and may have been more successful. Five Marsh Harriers and 129 roosting Cormorants were the only entries in my note book.

(Brendan Ryan)

I saw my first Little Ringed Plovers of the year today, two of them from the ramp at Grove at 10.10am.

(Steve Reynaert)

Although most bits not worth a mention today, 2 ringtail Hen Harriers, 23+ Water Pipits and a very smart pair of Garganey on the usual first sighting place, the Oxbow, and on the expected weekend, seemed worthy of reporting. Only othe bit of news was the first Butterfly of the year in the shape of a Red Admiral along the river bank.

(Martyn Wilson & Steve Ray)

I made an early start this morning, arriving at Grove Ferry at 4.45am. I decided in the darkness to walk along the riverbank to see if any birds were in song or if any Owls would show themself. I soon heard a Tawny Owl and that was followed by a brief sighting of a Long eared Owl as it flew low over the path along the riverbank. A Little Owl was heard in the direction of Harrisons and eventually the full dawn chorus was in action. All the common species expected sounding fantastic in the semi darkness. I later met up with the other valley regulars and birds noted were 2 Green Woodpecker, 4 Water Rail, 12 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Common Buzzard high East, 8 Meadow Pipit, 1 Kingfisher, 2 Redshank, 1 Little Egret, 3 Snipe, 1 Green Sandpiper, 8 Greylag Geese and 4 Wigeon. Grove/Stodmarsh continues to be the best place to see Water Pipit in the county, if not the country with at least 20 Water Pipit present from the Marsh hide. Also 8 Mute Swan, 2 Chiffchaff in song, 3 Marsh Harrier, 1 Grey Heron, 3 Fieldfare, 1 Redwing, 1 ring tail Hen Harrier, 6 Shelduck, 1 Stonechat, 2 Bearded Tit, c60 Teal and 2 Long tailed Tit.

(Marc Heath)

14th March

A single Sand Martin at Grove, spotted by Martyn and two at Collard’s were the undoubted highlight of the day. Grove, had little else to offer other than 2 Water Pipits, 50 Fieldfare and 10 Redwing, while it was business as usual at Collard’s with 11 Goldeneye, 85 Tufted Duck, 31 Pochard, 273 Shoveler and 8 Gt-cr Grebes

(Brendan Ryan)

Also recorded at Grove Ferry today were, 1 Tawny Owl, 18 Wigeon, 7 Ceti's Warblers, 7 Marsh Harriers, 1 Barn Owl, 5 Shelduck, 1 ringtail Hen Harrier, 1 Ring-necked Parakeet, 2 pairs of Long-tailed Tits and 2 Green Woodpeckers. At Marsh Hide where I met Alan Ashdown we had 24 Water Pipits but little else. Other bits noted were, 4 Meadow Pipits, several Skylark in song, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Curlew, 2 Common Snipe, 1 already mentioned Sand Martin (first of the year), 1 Little Egret, 40 Fieldfares and 16 Redwings plus 1 Little Owl at Stodmarsh Court Farm.

(Martyn Wilson)

13th March

"Braving the traditional ill-luck associated with the 13th, I popped out to Grove for a leisurely potter round.  The undoubted highlight was a good number of Water Pipits; first there were 10 from the Harrison's Drove Hide and then a further 9 from the Marsh Hide (on doubling back to Harrison's I found the orginal birds still present). Hence there was a minimum of  19 Water Pipit present, but there were a couple of 'fly-overs' that may or may not have been additional birds. There were also c120 Teal, c100 Wigeon, 3 Tufted Ducks and 4 Shelduck present plus at least 4 Marsh Harrier (and a reported Buzzard I  missed).  Smaller birds were relatively scarce, but a couple ofChiffchaffs were in song, there were plenty of Reed Buntings about and, at the car park, a single Rose-ringed Parakeet."
(John Cantelo)

11th March

Conditions in the afternoon looked promising for Bitterns so I left work a little early and headed to Stodmarsh. Dave Dowell Stodmarsh’s stalwart Bittern monitor obviously had similar thoughts and was in position on the Lampen Wall by the time I arrived. Two Bitterns flew high from the west at 6.25 and continued over the Lampen Wall and headed towards Grove. Nothing else of note was seen. The next few days are the peak period for evening displays of Bitterns if weather conditions are good. They appear just before dark and are best picked up by their croaking call. The peak count was 16 in 2004 but up to eight have been recorded in a number of recent years

(Brendan Ryan)

10th March

I had a quick drive through the valley mid afternoon, noting c30 Greylag Geese, 6 Canada Geese, 1 Marsh Harrier and c30 Mute Swans at Cow Corner. I then spent an hour or so at Grove Ferry in differing weather conditions, sometimes lovely and sunny with blue skies and occasionally heavy showers. birds noted here included 1 Mistle Thrush, 2 Marsh Harrier, 1 Bullfinch, 2 Shelduck, 4 Tufted Duck, 4 Pochard, at Least 10 Water Pipits from Harrisons hide, 2 Redshank and 4 Pied Wagtail. There were 8 Shoveler, 1 Wigeon heard, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Skylark in song, 1 Goldcrest, c250 Teal, 35 Lapwing, c500 Woodpigeon and 1 Great spotted Woodpecker.

(Marc Heath)

9th March

Tim Hodge and Derek Smith had an hour at dusk this evening on the Lampen Wall and around 6:25pm they had a Bittern in flight calling several times to the east of us, and then at 6:30pm a second Bittern was calling as it flew over the Lampen Wall flying east. Also 5 Marsh Harriers and 2 Hen Harriers to roost and 1 Woodcock over.

(Derek Smith & Tim Hodge)

8th March

I paid a visit to the Ferry this morning (06:30 to 09:30) and recorded the following: 23 Mute Swans plus the Black Swan out at 06:45 approx, 1 Ringtail and 2 Marsh Harriers. On the ramp pool were 2 Shelduck, 12 Gadwall, 4 Shoveller and c150 Teal and 7 Lapwings. I looked in at the Feast hide and all that was present was 2 Shellduck, c18 Teal, 4 Mallard and 5 Pochard that included 2 drakes. Harrison's was devoid of any duck but did hold 2 Redshank, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Water Pipit and 2 Pied Wagtails. A further 5 Marsh Harriers were seen plus the meadows behind Harrison's held a few Meadow Pipits and singing Skylarks. Also seen today were a further 2 Hen Harriers and a Barn Owl just after 6.00am hunting together by Newbons Farm plus 16 Water Pipits from Marsh Hide and the Mealy Redpoll still in the Alder Wood with 30 Siskins and 5+ Lesser Redpolls.

(Pete Solly)  

3rd March

I had a couple of visits into the valley today, a look at Grove Ferry this morning first thing and then a visit to collards and Grove Ferry late afternoon. birds seen this morning included 7 Goldfinch, 3 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Black tailed Godwit, 1 Skylark, 6 Black headed Gull, 5 Gadwall, 1 Shoveler, 2 Redshank, 1 Spotted Redshank, 1 Meadow Pipit, 4 Mute Swan, 7 Shelduck, 4 Marsh Harrier, 1 Water Pipit, 1 Bearded Tit, 5 Snipe, 1 Green Woodpecker, c200 Teal and c80 Lapwing. A quick drive past collards saw 2 Little Owls in the usual tree and a 5 minute listen for the Lesser spot proved negative. After finishing at Christ Church, I paid a brief visit to collards which held 18 Goldeneye including 4 drakes, 30 Tufted Duck, 1 Marsh Harrier in the water trying to carry off a Coot unsuccessfully, c30 Fieldfare, 12 Great crested Grebe, 6 Pochard, 26 Coot and c80 Shoveler. I then made my way to Grove late on meeting Mike Gould at the entrance. We made our way down to the Green hide where Steve Ashton was trying out new lens number 25 this year! Birds noted in between the chatting were 4 Shoveler, 7 Tufted Duck, c40 Cormorant, 2 Marsh Harrier, 1 Sparrowhawk and a handful of Teal.

(Marc Heath)

2nd March

I had a stroll over to Grove Ferry after work where I spent an hour at the ramp in spring like conditions. Birds noted were 4 Shelduck, 2 Mute Swan, 24 Linnet, c180 Teal, 4 Pied Wagtail, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 8 Snipe, 1 Meadow Pipit, 2 Shoveler, c10 Gadwall, 1 Little Egret and 3 Marsh Harrier. The first Black tailed Godwit of the year was feeding on the right hand pool, also 1 ring tail Hen Harrier, 1 Grey Heron, 10 Cormorant, 4 Tufted Duck, 1 Redshank, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Jay, 1 Water Rail and 1 Water Pipit. With a few Wheatear appearing around the coast, it won't be long until one finally makes it here, my earliest record being the 15th March 2008.

(Marc Heath)

1st March

Spent much of the morning around Fordwich and Trenly Park looking for Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers which failed to materialise. Great Spots were very active with 6 drumming birds and at least 4 Green Woodpeckers were encountered. Two Woodcock were flushed during this endeavour but that’s about as good as it got. Called in at Collard’s but the murky light conditions meant that it was difficult to make much out and after seven Goldeneye, I decided to call it a day and go home and catch up on the gardening

(Brendan Ryan)