March Sightings

Sightings can be Emailed to:

      Martyn Wilson - martynwilson@talktalk.net

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

  Marc Heath - Heathym007@aol.com   

Stodmarsh NNr latest news here

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

Grove Ferry river trips visit here. March 2010 launch date

29th March

With a few birds staring to appear now, I made a couple of visits into the valley today, Grove before work and Westbere after work. Birds noted this morning were 3 Pintail, 4 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Green Woodpecker, 2 Long tailed Tit, 3 Shelduck, 3 Skylark, 30 Shoveler, 4 Marsh Harrier and 2 Chiffchaff. The first Spotted Redshank of the year was very vocal as it fed from the main pool and also seen were 3 Mute Swan, 1 Tufted Duck, 12 Pochard in one flock, c15 Lapwing, 3 Greylag Geese, 2 Greenfinch, 6 Goldfinch, 1 Jay, 1 Water Rail, 1 Bearded Tit and c20 Teal. An hour at Westbere after work produced 1 male Blackcap as I got out of the car, 5 Chiffchaff, 2 Bullfinch with the male actually allowing a photo before quickly flying into cover, 20 Great crested Grebe, 1 Marsh Harrier, c55 Greylag Geese, 1 Jay, 13 Canada Geese, 4 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Willow Warbler, 7 Grey Heron and 2 Common Buzzardss over Trenley woods.

(Marc Heath)

28th March

Another small gathering of birders with Alan, Mark Chidwick, Sue Morton, Steve Ray and I making it out for the delights of the middle Stour valley. Mark and Alan were already on the ramp when I arrived watching a non-breeding adult Spoonbill in the early morning half light. Although it got up a coupke of times and appeared to fly off, it did return. The third time however it took off strongly to the east and was lost to view at 7.55am. Also the Long-eared Owl was calling in the Paddock before light and a Woodcock flew up the entrance track.Other birds today were, 1 Pochard, 6 Tufted Ducks, 3 Little Egrets, 2 Pintail, 9 Marsh Harriers, Teal, Shoveler, 2 Shelducks, 4 Grey Herons and 16 Cetti's Warblers. There was a fly through Peregrine, 1 Great-crested Grebe, 9 singing Chiffchaffs and again at savi's corner we saw the Penduline Tit at 8.35. On the views we got, it appeared to have a larger mask than the female from last month. Is it a new bird, maybe a male??? There were, 2 Sparrowhawks, 3 Common Snipe, 11 Pied Wagtail, 2 White Wagtails, the male Yellow Wagtail and, new for the year, a Ringed plover. Also here at the very productive water meadows were 1 Green Sandpiper and 1 Redshank. A single Bearded Tit was seen behind green hide on leaving.  This evening at Grove Mark Chidwick saw breif views of a 'large' Swift specie that appeared to have a white belly flying strongly east over the back pools towards Pegwell/Thanet, maybe one of the recent Alpines ? who knows?

(Martyn Wilson)

27th March

Just Alan A, Robin Blyth and I were the only birders out today with, Alan making his way to marsh hide for the morning and Robin and I walking in different directions. Today birds seen were, 8 Marsh harriers, 3 Sparrowhawks, 12 Cetti's Warblers (heard), 5 Water Rails, 5 Shelduck, 2 Pintail, 2 Canada Geese and many singing Skylarks. There were 3 Little Egrets, 16 Wigeon (oxbow), several pairs of Linnet setting up territory and on the water meadows were, 1 male Yellow Wagtail, 3 White Wagtails, 8 Pied Wagtails, 24 Water Pipits and 2 Green Sandpipers. Tony Swandale had seen the (presumed same) Penduline Tit at savi's corner around 9.30ish but Robin and I could not relocate it after 10.00 am. Other bits and pieces included 1 Swallow, 4 Sand Martins and 6 Common Buzzards as well as 3 Peacock Butterflies and 1 Weasel.

(Martyn Wilson)

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26th March

Another visit to Westbere lakes was made this morning before work at 7.15am for an hour noting the following: 4 Chiffchaff, 2 Jay, 1 actually allowing a camera to be pointed at it through the branches before quickly flying off, 1 Water Rail, 4 Long tailed Tit, 1 Willow Warbler in song, 5 Greylag Geese, 26 Great crested Grebe, 2 Tufted Duck and 6 Canada Geese. There were 2 Marsh Harrier, 1 Green Woodpecker, 5 Sand Martin feeding over the lake, 7 Grey Heron and 2 Bullfinch.

(Marc Heath)

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25th March

I made a visit to Grove Ferry this morning before work in the hope of a Sedge Warbler or something good. I walked the Grove circuit along the river and back to the ramp noting 2 Jay, 6 Cetti’s Warbler, 5 Greylag Geese, 7 Chiffchaff, 3 Marsh Harrier, 5 Tufted Duck, 3 Pintail, 1 Great crested Grebe, 13 Gadwall, 22 Shoveler, 2 Wigeon, 2 Canada Geese and 1 Grey Heron. There were 5 Long tailed Tit, 3 Bearded Tit, 1 Great spotted Woodpecker, 1 Bullfinch, 2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 little Egret, 2 Skylark and 3 Fieldfare south. Hopefully the next few days will deliver that Sedge Warbler and more hirundines and some visible bare mud for waders will appear.

(Marc Heath)

24th March

Single Swallow flying SSE over Grove Ferry end at 5.00pm; copulating Mallards on the water meadows or oxbow area; male Hen Harrier in to roost (only brief, intermittent observations of the roost).
(Robin Shrubsole)

I made an early morning visit to Westbere lakes at 7.30am in the hope of a few migrants. On arrival, Blue, Great and Long tailed Tits were all seen with Chaffinch and Goldfinch in song. Birds noted were 2 Green Woodpecker, 3 Chiffchaff, 7 Long tailed Tit, 5 Goldfinch, 15 Great crested Grebe, 1 Pochard, 4 Gadwall, 2 Cetti’s Warbler, 1 male Marsh Harrier and 4 Greylag Geese. The highlight was when my ears picked out the song of the first Willow Warbler of the year, which showed well near the Island. This is my earliest record of the species in the valley, the previous earliest being the 26th March 2005. Other birds noted were 1 Coal Tit, 2 Goldcrest, 1 Jay, 1 Great spotted Woodpecker, 2 Canada Geese and 2 Tufted Duck. A second brief visit was made late afternoon, a good choice as 1 Willow Warbler, the same or another individual was singing just over the railway line and whilst stalking for a photo, 1 male Blackcap, the first of the year was seen a few times well. This is also my earliest Blackcap record, the earliest before being 29th March 2009. Other bits noted were 2 Jay, 2 Bullfinch and 5 Chiffchaff.

(Marc Heath)

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23d March

I did not get out into the valley until this afternoon where I spent some time at Grove and then a brief visit to Westbere lakes. Birds noted at Grove were 3 Common Buzzard, 5 Marsh Harrier, 2 Mistle Thrush, 7 Chiffchaff, 1 Skylark, 9 Shelduck, 8 Tufted Duck, 1 Great crested Grebe, 8 Cetti's Warbler, 23 Shoveler, 11 Greylag Geese, 2 Bearded Tit, 2 male Wheatear behind Harrisons hide, 1 female Stonechat, 4 Linnet and 3 Long tailed Tit. There were 3 Long tailed Tit, c15 Wigeon on the Oxbow lake but still no sign of any Garganey, 2 Fieldfare, 1 Bittern seen in flight near the flooded water meadows, 20 Water Pipit on the water meadows with 11 Pied Wagtail and 1 female White Wagtail, 2 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Sand Martin, 6 Golden Plover, 25 Lapwing, 2 Pintail, 1 Redshank and c70 Teal. A quick look at Westbere produced 1 Great spotted Woodpecker, 2 Chiffchaff, 19 Great crested Grebe, 1 Swallow over the main lake, 2 Bullfinch, 2 Greylag Geese, 2 Canada Geese and 2 Marsh Harrier.

(Marc Heath)  

There were two Swallows flying east over the Lampen Wall at 14.05 this afternoon.

(Bob Hinge)

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22nd March

I received a text early morning from Sue Morton alerting me to the first Swallow of the year, seen at Westbere Lakes. I did not manage to get out until after work where I had an hour at Grove Ferry on the ramp in a stiff breeze. Birds noted were 13 Shelduck, 4 Goldfinch, 47 Meadow Pipit in one flock in the field along the entrance track, 5 Marsh Harrier, 17 Shoveler, 46 Snipe flushed from the main pool by 2 volunteers carrying out some survey work, 4 Pintail, 2 Wigeon, 6 Greylag Geese, 3 Tufted Duck, 21 Gadwall, 9 Mute Swan and 2 Cetti's Warbler. There were 7 Lapwing, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Skylark, 1 Peregrine, c50 Teal and 1 Bullfinch.

(Marc Heath)

21st March

Had a walk round from Grove through to Stodmarsh and back along the river bank this morning, just after the drizzle stopped - treacherous paths indeed!!. Only thing to add to your list is a Little-ringed Plover which was with the white wags and water pipits in the flooded meadows near the ox-bow.

(Phil Beraet)  

A damp drizzly start to the morning at grove Ferry that was rather deviod of human and avian life! I was joined my Mark C and we made an attempt to do a spot of birding although, most of the time eyes were focused on the ground trying to step somewhere that might not have us slipping over or into the nearest dyke, treacherous is the only way to call it. A few birds, however, did get noted with the usual Teal, Shoveler Mallard and Lapwing. Shelducks down to only four with 6 Pintail still. There were 5 Tufted Ducks, 7 Marsh harriers, 2 Grey Herons and very little else. No sign of any Wheatears at Harrison's but a smart female Stonechat was there and, some time spent at marsh hide revealed  just 2 Little Egrets. Highlight were 18 Water Pipits on the water meadows with many coming into summer plumage, a further four were seen at Harrison's, Also on the water meadows were 6 Pied Wagtails and 3 White Wagtails including a very smart male. There were 13 Wigeon on the Oxbow but still no sign of any Garganey in the valley, yet! Tim Gustel joined us at the green hide where, after a few short minutes we decided to do some woodland birding. A little Owl was at Cow Corner on the way. Trenleypark Wood gave us several Blue & Great Tits, 6 Goldcrest and as many again of Long-tailed Tits plus, several Song Thrush & Blackbird in song and many Chaffinches. A pair of Common Buzzards flew low south over us in the wood. As we all departed I went to Collard's for a spell and was joined by Dave Brown and his wife and Steve ??? from here between 11.03am and 1.30pm we counted 27 Common Buzzards (3 or 4 may have been counted twice), with 5 obvious local birds over Trenleypark Wood and the rest appearing to be arriving from the north east and drifting of west south west. There was one flock of 7 with 2 Marsh Harriers, 3 flocks of 3 and a flock of 5, the rest being singles or doubles. Also 9 Marsh Harriers were seen but, all appeared to be local, with no apparant dispersal, also, a Little Owl calling from the Lampen Stream area. The lake was fairly empty, I could only see 2 Wigeon but, there were 38 Tufted Ducks, 49 Shovelers and 12 Goldeneye including 2 drakes. No birds to photograph today so here's a newborn calf from Collard's that was a little shaky on it's feet and, still wet from the birth.

(Martyn Wilson)

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20th March

Alan and I were joined on the ramp early morning by Pauline McKenzie-lloyd and Sue Morton but, there was no sign of Paulines' hoped for Whooper Swans. Birds noted were, 14 Shelduck, 7 Marsh harriers, 8 Cetti's Warblers, 20 Wigeon, 6 Pintail, 28 Mute Swans and several Teal, Shoveler and Gadwall. There was 1 Little Egret, 2 Water Rails, many singing Skylarks, 7 Tufted Ducks, 1 singing Chiffchaff and 3 Wheatears behind Harrison's Hide (1 male), these representing my ealiest valley Wheatears by eight days. A single Golden Plover flew west over us and there was 1 Mistle Thrush at the White House plus Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Chaffinch and assorted Tits there. Three Snipe, 1 Little Grebe and a Common Buzzard were seen from green hide where we had been joined by Steve Ashton.

In addition to this, Robin Blyth had the Stodmarsh end to himself all morning and at 12.30pm from the feast hide at Grove he saw 2 Sand Martins.

(Martyn Wilson)

19th March

We visited Grove Ferry from 10.15 to 12.30 today. Birds of note 5 Water Pipits in the first field left of the path to the ramp, from the ramp 4 Pintail, good numbers of Teal and Shoveler, also several Gadwall and Shelduck, at 12.20pm our first hirundine of the year  a single Sand Martin. Also 2 Water Pipits in the field opposite the oxbow lake and a pair of Marsh Harriers near the Feast hide. Birds heard: - 6 Cettis Warblers, a Water Rail and a Chiffchaff by the river.

(Barry Woolhouse and Malcolm McVail)

17th March

I paid Westbere another early morning visit before work for 45 minutes hoping for some hirundines but again no luck, any day now surely. Birds noted were 3 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Bullfinch, 9 Great crested Grebe, 8 Tufted Duck, 1 Pochard, 2 Chiffchaff singing, 1 Green Woodpecker, 7 Greylag Geese, 2 Canada Geese, 2 Sparrowhawk, 1 Marsh Harrier, 3 Long tailed Tit and 1 Goldcrest. On the way back to work a Yellowhammer was singing from a telegraph pole allowing a few shots.

(Marc Heath)

16th March

I arrived at a vocal Grove Ferry this morning at 7.30am with the commoner species competing for the loudest voice award. I birded the area for a while noting 25 Mute Swan, 11 Pintail, 2 Green Woodpecker, 8 Cetti's Warbler, 12 Shelduck, 11 Wigeon from the ramp with c30 on the Oxbow lake, 18 Snipe, 2 Little Egret, 2 Ruff, 8 Marsh Harrier, 43 Shoveler, 22 Gadwall, 2 Bittern in flight with one bearing a ring on its leg and 2 Jay. There were 65 Lapwing, 14 Greylag Geese, 3 Long tailed Tit, 3 Grey Heron, 4 Tufted Duck, 1 Pochard, 2 Bearded Tit, 3 Water Pipit, 4 Canada Geese, 3 Water Rail, 2 Bullfinch, 1 Grey Wagtail north, 2 Kestrel, 1 Peregrine, 1 Great spotted Woodpecker, 2 adult Whooper Swans flew into the back pools just after midday and small groups of Black headed Gull over. There were a minimum of 9 Common Buzzard (4 together over Grove hill, 3 distant beyond Harrisons and 2 at Trenley woods) but possibly upto 12 as others were seen throughout the visit. Collards held 46 Tufted Duck, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Little Owl heard, 9 Goldeneye including 2 drakes, 12 Pochard, 11 Great crested Grebe, c100 Shoveler and c10 Wigeon. A visit to Westbere late aftenoon produced 1 Bittern, c50 Greylag Geese, 2 Canada Geese, 5 Long tailed Tit, 1 Bullfinch, 2 Marsh Harrier including a male with a white wing tag and a few Great crested Grebe.

(Marc Heath)

15th March

There were 4 Black tailed Godwit (first of the year) from the ramp this afternoon at Grove Ferry.

(Sue Morton)

I made a visit before work this morning to Westbere Lakes in the hope of a Sand Martin or two, but no luck but the highlight were 2 singing Chiffchaff, my first of the year. They were busily feeding and singing, perhaps newly arrived migrants! Other birds noted were 2 Great spotted Woodpecker, 2 Canada Geese, 9 Greylag Geese with a small flock on the fields below Cow Corner. Also 2 Green Woodpecker, 3 Cetti’s Warbler, c10 Great crested Grebe including a few displaying pairs, 4 Gadwall, 2 Tufted Duck, 1 Redpoll over calling, 1 Treecreeper in song, 1 Grey Heron, 4 Long tailed Tit and a few singing Blue and Great Tit and Chaffinch.

(Marc Heath)

14th March

Much the same as yeterday with more or less the same birds. Still no sun but, was slightly less chilly today. Joined by Mark C, Pete Solly, Alan Ashdown, Steve Ashton & Mike Gould the sightings making the notebook were, 13 Shelduck, 50 Wigeon (35 on Oxbow), 2 Bitterns, 7 Marsh Harriers, 10 Pintail, 4 Little Egrets, 6 Cetti's Warblers and the highest count of Mute Swans this winter with 78 flying out to there feeding fields. The 2 adult Whooper Swans following close behind at 6.28am. There were 4 Snipe, singing Skylarks, 18 Tufted Ducks, 28 Shoveler 13 Gadwall, 158 Teal, 3 Water Rails and 1 Kingfisher. On the water Meadows there were 17 Pied Wagtails and 5 Water Pipits but little else and from the green hide late morning  Mike spotted a Red Kite heading west upriver at 9.49 plus, also seen were, 1 Kestrel, 1 Little Grebe, 2 Common Buzzards and 1 Sparrowhawk. That awful pest the Mink is still in the green hide area as well.

(Martyn Wilson)

13th March

The promised sunshine never materialised and a chilly northerly made it a rather dull morning at Grove today. The 2 adult Whooper Swans flew out at 6.21, no doubt to feed in Chislet/Marshside fields and the male Hen Harrier flew down river at 8.02. Not much else of note but 15 Shelducks were on the main pool. Also there were, 2 Curlews, 9 Cetti's Warblers, 9 Marsh Harriers, 7 Water Rails, 5 Tufted Ducks, 9 Pintail, 2 Little Egrets, 1 Pied Wagtail and several singing Skylarks. As well as many Great Tits in song, there were 4 Long-tailed seen, several Blues plus, 6 Pochard, 22 Wigeon, 30 Chaffinch, 1 Siskin and 2 Snipe.

(Martyn Wilson, Steve Ray & Mark Chidwick)

10th March

I managed to grab a brief 30 minute visit to Westbere Lakes before work this morning. Still not that much around to get excited about but the following just managed the notebook. c10 Great crested Grebe, a few Gadwall and Tufted Duck, 12 Greylag Geese, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Long tailed Tit, 1 Great spotted Woodpecker, 2 Mute Swan and c500 Herring Gulls in flight at the western end of the lake.

(Marc Heath)

9th March

I had a brief tour of the valley this morning before uni, visiting Grove, Collards and Cow Corner. Birds noted at Grove were 4 Marsh Harrier, 3 Cetti's Warbler, 9 Shelduck, 17 Wigeon, 5 Tufted Duck, 4 Greylag Geese, 4 Mute Swan, 10 Pintail, 1 Water Pipit, 1 singing Skylark, 25 Lapwing, 1 Little Egret, 14 Shoveler, 6 Gadwall, 1 Green Woodpecker and 1 Kestrel. A look at Collards produced 23 Tufted Duck, 1 Grey Heron, 5 Greylag Geese, 5 Goldeneye including 2 drakes, 22 Wigeon, 3 Great crested Grebe and 1 Ring necked Parakeet. At Cow Corner, birds seen were 18 Canada Geese and 42 Greylag Geese and a listen at the Lesser spot site proved negative, just a few Blue and Great Tits in song. I made another visit to Grove after uni this afternoon, walking down to the Oxbow looking for Garganey with no luck. However birds seen included c400 Black headed Gulls spiralling over the reserve with c250 landing on the main pool with a few Herring and Common Gulls for company. Also c70 Golden Plover, 5 Water Pipit, 12 Tufted Duck, 1 Pochard, 1 Dunlin, 1 Peregrine, c70 Lapwing, c150 Teal and 1 Marsh Harrier.

(Marc Heath)

8th March

I made an after work visit tonight to Grove Ferry for an hour in the hope of an early Garganey, but this was not to be. Birds noted from the ramp included 7 Tufted Duck, 5 Shelduck, 1 Snipe, 11 Pintail, 36 Black headed Gull on the main pool with 2 Lesser black backed, 3 Herring and 2 Common Gulls. Also seen were 1 Green Woodpecker, 21 Gadwall, 17 Shoveler, 31 Mute Swan flew in from Sarre, 2 Bittern seen in flight, 2 Marsh Harrier, c130 Golden Plover in flight just south of the reserve, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 19 Fieldfare, 4 Redwing, 2 Redshank high north, c80 Teal and 1 ring tail Hen Harrier towards Stodmarsh.

(Marc Heath)

7th March

At Grove Ferry today in the company of, Mark Chidwick & Sue Morton with, Alan Ashdown & Steve Ashton perched in Green hide, the days sightings included, 2 Curlew, 9 Pintail plus 2 at Stodmarsh, 8 Tufted Ducks, 5 Shelducks and 2 adult Whooper Swans out towards Chislet with 1 Mute at 6.27am. There were 14 Marsh harriers, 8 Cetti's Warblers, a pair of Wigeon plus 9 at Stodmarsh, 11 Common Snipe, 280 Lapwings and at 6.50am a gull flying towards us from Stodmarsh turned out to be a 2cy Yellow-legged Gull that passed close to the ramp and carried on east toward the coast. An immature male Hen Harrier flew east along the river at 6.59am and within minutes of Sues arrival, Mark picked up on a bird flying in in the shape of an Egyptian Goose that, nearly came on to the main pool but carried on towards Sarre. Mine and Marks first for the valley, Sue of course found last years bird. Also today several Greenfinch and Linnet were in song as were the Skylarks and there were,  5 Pied Wgatails, 1 Bearded Tit, 8 Pochards, 2 Great-spotted Woodpeckers, 2 Great-crested Grebes, 2 Treecreepers and 10+ Water Pipits on the grazing marsh near marsh hide, there were also up to 20 just south of Harrison's drove hide. There were 3 Bitterns, 1 Redshank, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Peregrine plus 2 Coal Tits at Collie Corner and still a few Fieldfares and Redwings in the surrounding fields, 300 & 12 respectively.

(Martyn Wilson)

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5th March

I had a couple of hours at Stodmarsh this evening in the company of Kerry McDonnell and we watched about 16 Marsh Harriers in to roost, 1 male and a ringtail Hen Harrier, a Barn Owl hunting over the reed beds, about 600 Fieldfare to roost near the river, a Green Sandpiper calling as it flew over in the dark, and 3 Bitterns together calling flying fairly high east at 6:15pm, followed by another 2 Bitterns together in the same direction a few minutes later. A Tawny Owl was calling as we left the reserve.

(Derek Smith)

2nd March

The month where hopefully it all begins! I arrived at a sunny but frosty Grove Ferry this morning at 7.30am to see what was on offer for 'Super Tuesday' as it is now known by the locals. I spent an hour at the ramp before uni noting 58 Lapwing, 1 Kingfisher, 3 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Shelduck, 24 Mute Swan, 26 Shoveler, 2 Skylark in song, 5 Tufted Duck, 10 Pied Wagtail, 1 Water Rail and 1 Marsh Harrier. There were 3 Redwing, 1 Mistle Thrush, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Water Pipit, 2 Bearded Tit and c50 Teal. Onwards to Trenley Woods where I briefly called into the Lesser spot hotspot to see if one could be seen or heard. No luck with this but to my amazement, 3 birds flew into an oak behind me at c8.50am, 2 being Long tailed Tits and the other I expected to be a Coal Tit. However, on raising the bins, I could see it was a Marsh Tit, a very rare bird in the valley. I had good views as it moved slightly nearer but when I went for the camera, it vanished. I did hear it call briefly on the North side of the road but did not see again. I also had 1 Coal Tit singing. I had a text at 10.25am while at Uni from Steve Ashton who had just had a 1 Red Kite fly over the Green hide so I decided later to visit Collards as it was such a nice afternoon to scan for raptors. Birds noted here were c55 Tufted Duck, 22 Great crested Grebe, 2 Marsh Harrier, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Merlin, 1 Kestrel, 1 Little Owl calling and after many scans at 3.05pm, I picked out 2 Red Kites circling Grove Ferry together. I watched for a few minutes before they slowly drifted North. Other bits were 8 Goldeneye including 2 drakes, 1 Ring necked Parakeet at Stodmarsh Court Farm, 5 Yellowhammer and c50 Wigeon noted. Hopefully a Garganey or Hirundine in the next few weeks.

(Marc Heath)

1st March

At Stodmarsh tonight, 3 Bitterns were calling frequently and flew fairly high East over the Lampern Wall  at 6.15pm.

(Derek Smith)