May 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

Grove Ferry river trips visit here.

Warning!!

Car park charges at Grove Ferry will start at the new

time of 6.00am as from the 4th May 2010

29th May

Along with Mark Chidwick and Phil Parker we birded the Grove/Stodmarsh circuit on a fairly normal morning with the usual suspects being noted, the normal choristers in the dawn chorus plus a male Bittern booming somewhere out near marsh hide. There were 6 Tufted Ducks, 5 Little Egrets, 5 Cuckoos, 7 Marsh Harriers, a few early Swifts, Skylarks, Common Terns and 1 Kestrel. Along the Lampen Wall at 8.30am a Very pale peregrine type bird flew close past and spent 10 minutes hunting between the water meadows and the oxbow. The views we got suggests that it was either a Saker or a hybrid, an impressive bird to watch as it ducked and dived after Pigeons and Jackdaws while being chased by larger corvids and Lapwings. There were several Cetti’s Warblers, 5 Shelducks, 1 (?) Nightingale, 2 Sparrowhawks, 1 male Bullfinch and 1 Jay. At the water meadows the only birds of note were 5 Garganey, 3 of which were drakes and one of these in partial eclipse, also 2 Redshank here. A single Hobby was at Grove, although another 5 were seen at Collard’s later. Bird of the day however was a dark phase Honey Buzzard that passed over heading northwest between 10,35 and 10.45am, interestingly the Bockhill boys had two HB’s and the one heading our way may well have been the very same one we saw. Phil Chantler’s photo (on the Bockhill pages) seem to suggest this is the case.

28th May

I had tonight:-

1 Spoonbill- flew west at 7.20

1 Little Ringer Plover on the water meadows

3 little Egrets

and not much else

(Brendan Ryan)

25th May

I spent a few hours in the valley today before and after uni. There was a stiff breeze this morning and cloudy skies. I walked the Grove/Stodmarsh circuit and noted 5 Little Egret, 9 Marsh Harrier, 2 Nightingale, 2 Whitethroat, 10 Cetti's Warbler, 6 Blackcap, 6 Chiffchaff, 7 Turtle Dove, 8 Grey Heron, 3 Tufted Duck, 2 Shelduck, 34 Common Tern on the main lake, 3 Cuckoo and 2 Jay. There were 2 Kestrel, 2 Garden Warbler, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Great spotted Woodpecker, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Redshank, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Willow Warbler, 9 Great crested Grebe, c35 Hobby, 20+ at Grove and 14+ at Collards, 2 Common Buzzard, 3 Water Rail, 4 Treecreeper, 1 Peregrine, 2 Garganey from the Marsh hide, 2 Bullfinch and a few hundred Swift with a few Sand Martin and Swallow. I watched a Hobby chasing a Sand Martin and within seconds back up arrived with a further 4 Hobby joining in the attack. As can be guessed, the Sand Martin did not last long at all!

(Marc Heath)

23rd May

I arrived at Grove Ferry at 4.30am to the delightful sound of the dawn chorus with, Turtle Dove, Blackcap, Whitethroat, Chaffinch, Robin, Wren, Collared Dove, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Woodpigeon, Reed Warbler and Sedge Warbler al amongst those trying to sing out and be heard. I was joined on the ramp shortly after by Mark Chidwick and Robin Blyth and took a counter clockwise route around the reserve, unfortunately we missed out on Dylan’s female Redstart near the marsh hide, hey ho. We counted at least 9 purring Turtle Doves (possibly doubling last years total?), several Common Whitethroats, 7 Tufted Ducks, 6 Little Egrets, 2 Redshanks, 4 Nightingales (well down on previous years), 24 Common Terns and 9 Marsh Harriers. There were 3 drake Pochards, 5 Shelduck, 4 pairs of Shoveler, 1 Teal, 7 pairs of Lapwing with two well grown chicks seen and 1 early Hobby. A flock of 54 Black-tailed Godwits circled over the main pool (seen from the river bank) and there were, several Linnets, 7 Cuckoos (1 hepatic), 9 Cetti’s Warblers, 2 Ringed Plovers, 1 Bullfinch, 2 Black-headed Gulls, 1 Pied Wagtail, 3 Jays, plus ones and twos of Blue, Great and Long-tailed Tits. There were, 15 Great-crested Grebes, 6 pairs of Gadwall, 5 Grey Herons, many Reed Buntings, Skylarks, Meadow Pipits and a few Swallows with, the odd House Martin and Swift also noted. We encountered 2 Sparrowhawks, 1 Kestrel, 3 Mistle Thrushes, 5 Bearded Tits, 2 Greenshank and a distant Common Buzzard over Seaton. Then a text from Marc Heath at 10.15am informing me of 6 Common Buzzards just west of Collard’s and later when I visited Collard’s just after midday, Dave Brown, his wife and Steve had just seen a Spoonbill high over the lake heading north west (I missed it by seconds) and we also saw 3 Common Buzzards over Hersden, counted 18 Hobbies and after Dave & co had left I heard the Bittern boom twice and caught the call of a high flying Mediterranean Gull a ghostly whit adult in summer plumage that circled before leaving towards Seaton/Preston. I then had another 3 Common Buzzards at Trenleypark Wood close over the road.

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21st May

A flock of 159 Black-tailed Godwit (a valley record?) on the main pool from the ramp this morning. Eventually put up by a female Sparrowhawk which then got mobbed by the whole flock. The majority of the birds seemed to head off east, but 62 came back on to the pool.  

(Jim Bloor)

18th May

I spent a few hours in the valley after uni today, stopping at Collards and then a walk at Grove down to the water meadows and main lake. In lovely warm sunshine birds noted were 25 Hobby with a further 18 seen at Grove Ferry not long after. Although there may be some duplication, it would seem that there are at least 40+ Hobby in the area. Also 16 Common Tern, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Kestrel and 1 Little Owl heard at Collards. Birding at Grove produced 2 Blackcap, 2 Common Buzzard, 9 Turtle Dove, 2 Avocet were showing from the ramp for a while before flying off calling high east, also 3 Grey Heron, c20 Common Tern on the main lake with 2 Black Tern, 5 Marsh Harrier, 1 Lesser Whiethroat, 2 Water Rail, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Kestrel, 8 Chiffchaff and 2 Redshank. Whilst walking along the river bank by the Oxbow lake I was continually scanning the sky and luckily picked up an Osprey which slowly flew west towards Stodmarsh at some height. There were 6 Cetti's Warbler, 1 drake Garganey on the water meadow, 1 Greenshank, 4 Shelduck, 2 Cuckoo, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Great spotted Woodpecker, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Corn Bunting and one last scan from the ramp on the way out produced 1 Little ringed Plover. Hirundines were less obvious today with small groups of Swift and a few Swallow, Sand and House Martin.

(Marc Heath)

16th May

Five minutes after Mark and arrived on the ramp we noticed a Heron coming in from the east, lifting the binoculars as a cursory look and immediately could see it was an adult Purple Heron. It carried on west towards Stodmarsh before turning back towards us then veering south heading towards Seaton before, slowly turning back on the Stodmarsh route and gliding down and lost to view behind green hide bushes. It appeared to go down in the marsh hide/water meadows direction but, a good two hours checking the area with Marc Heath who had joined us soon after the Herons arrival, failed to relocate it. Also Brendan and John Cantelo watched from marsh hide for a while with no sign that side either. Marc had been around the valley early making a Nightingale count and managed to locate just 5 singing males with a 6th heard by the oxbow mid morning. He also recorded, 2 singing Goldcrests, 14 Blackcaps, 4 Hobbies and the booming Bittern  between Stodmarsh and Collard’s. Also today were 7 Turtle Doves, 4 Cockoos (including the hepatic bird), 7 Tufted Ducks, several Reed and Sedge Warblers, 7+ Whitethroats, 5 Cetti’s warblers and 2 Kingfishers. There were 3 Little Egrets, 6 Grey Herons, 2 Redshanks, 2 Greenshanks, a pair of Garganey, 6 Shelducks, 4 Black-tailed Godwits and 5 Marsh Harriers. Swallows, Swifts and Sand Martins were seen as were a couple each of Green and Great-spotted Woodpeckers, a single Pied Wagtail flew over carrying food and there was 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Peregrine, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Ringed Plover, 1 Kestrel and 16 Common Terns. Hobby numbers peaked at 22 over Grove main pool with 8 over Collard’s. A very poor record shot of the Purp was captured, apologies for posting it but, it was 4.50am and 2500 ISO.

15th May

After a week away in sunnier climes, it was back to the routine of birding the valley today, joined by Mark Chidwick and Phil Parker. Birds noted this morning were, 3 Grey Herons, 4 Tufted Ducks, 1 drake Pochard, several Cetti’s Warblers and the songs of many Reed and Sedge Warblers. At least 3 Cuckoos were seen and the first Hobby was at 4,42am with 28 Hobbies over the main pool at midday. There were 7 Marsh Harriers, 5 Turtle Doves, 1 Little Grebe, 1 Little-ringed Plover, 4 Little Egrets, 1 Little Grebe and 2 Ringed Plovers. A few Whitethroats and a couple of Chiffchaffs were encountered and on the water meadows there were, 4 Greenshanks, 3 Garganey (2 drakes), 1 female Whinchat, 2 Redshanks and a Green Sandpiper flew down river. A large number of Swifts were feeding over the main pool with just a few Swallows seen, 7 or 8 Sand Martins and 6 House Martins were over the houses behind us. Two Nightingales were heard, 7 Black-tailed Godwits made a fly past and there was 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Kestrel, a Grasshopper Warbler in or by the Paddocks and 1 Garden warbler and 3 Blackcaps along the river bank. Of the few butterflies seen there were a pair of Orange Tips, 1 Red Admiral and a Paecock noted.

13th May

With the prospect of sunshine and the wind finally easing down, I managed to do the Grove/Stodmarsh circuit before work and a brief visit to Grove again at lunchtime. Birds noted were 11 Whitethroat, 6 Chiffchaff, 17 Cetti’s Warbler, 3 Shelduck, 2 Goldfinch, 21 Common Tern at Stodmarsh with 1 Common Sandpiper also on the Tern raft. Other birds were 4 Grey Heron, 5 Marsh Harrier, 6 Turtle Dove, 3 Cuckoo including 1 Hepatic bird, maybe the returning individual we have had in recent years?, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Little Egret, 2 Garden Warbler, 8 Blackcap, 1 Nightingale and 3 Greenshank. There were 32 Hobby hawking over Grove/Stodmarsh in the sunshine, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 4 Bullfinch, 7 Great crested Grebe, 1 drake Garganey on the main lake at Stodmarsh, 2 Kestrel, 3 Bearded Tit, 1 Common Buzzard and good numbers of Swift present and Swallow, Sand and House Martin.

(Marc Heath)

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11th May

I had a few hours in the valley this afternoon visiting Collards, Grove Ferry and a brief look at Westbere late afternoon. Birds noted today were 3 Hobby, 6 Marsh Harrier, 1 Common Buzzard, 7 Shelduck, 5 Great crested Grebe, 3 Little Egret, 7 Cetti's Warbler, 3 Chiffchaff, 1 Whitethroat, c500 Swift with lesser numbers of Swallow, House and Sand Martin and 2 Kestrel. The water meadows held 3 Greenshank, 3 Redshank, 1 Little ringed Plover, 3 Grey Heron, 3 Yellow Wagtail and 1 Whimbrel heard. Westbere produced 1 Nightingale, 2 Garden Warbler, 2 Blackcap, 5 Chiffchaff, 1 Hobby, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Grey Heron, 2 Whitethroat, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 8 Common Tern, a few Greylag and Canada Geese and c50 Swallow and good numbers of Swift, Sand and House Martin.

(Marc Heath)

9th May

I awoke at 4am and made my way over to Grove again, stopping along the back road for a listen. Plenty of Reed and Sedge singing even at this time plus 1 Nightingale and 1 drumming Snipe heard. I was soon joined by Brendan and Mark C and we spent a few hours wandering the whole circuit. Birds noted were 1 Nightingale, 1 Grasshopper Warbler reeling, 1 Barn Owl, 6 Great crested Grebe, 2 Cuckoo, 3 Hobby, 4 Whitethroat, 2 Turtle Dove, 3 Blackcap, 3 Ruff, 1 Bittern booming, 5 Marsh Harrier, 10 Shelduck, 2 Chiffchaff and 10 Cetti's Warbler. There were 4 Little Egret, 3 Bearded Tit, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Snipe, 1 Green Woodpecker, 3 Pochard, 1 Kestrel, 1 Tufted Duck, 3 Common Tern, 1 Greenshank, 1 Sparrowhawk and a few Swifts and Swallows through.

(Marc Heath)

8th May

I was out and about quite early this morning and eventually pitched up at Grove Ferry where I met Mark Chidwick and Phil Parker. We had a wander around the reserve as far as the water meadows in cloudy conditions with occasional drizzle, which we thought looked good for a wader morning. Birds noted were 3 Yellow Wagtail, 4 Marsh Harrier, 1 nRedshank, 1 Turtle Dove, 2 Whitethroat, 2 Grey Heron, 5 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Ruff on the water meadow, 2 Tufted Duck, 2 Pochard, 1 Little Grebe and 1 Lesser Whitethroat. We decided to watch from Harrisons for a while which was very productive with 67 Whimbrel flying east in one flock and another 14 seen from the ramp, a huge total of 81 Whimbrel, possibly a record for the species. Soon after a flock of 12 Ringed Plover flew east followed shortly by 59 Black tailed Godwit which dropped into the main pool. I left a short while after and at the ramp counted 90 Black tailed Godwit and 1 drake Garganey. Brendan later had 106 Black tailed Godwit, possibly another record for the valley and 1 Common Sandpiper and 12 Tufted Duck at Collards. I was about to leave the reserve when the phone went and Phil Parker was shouting 'Raven' down the phone. Both Phil and Mark watched the bird briefly as it was mobbed by a Marsh Harrier near the Hersden Industrial estate and it was then lost to view and possibly landed in the area. Other bits seen were 2 Sparrowhawk, 2 Shelduck, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Bearded Tit, c200 Swift and lesser numbers of Swalow, House and Sand Martin.

(Marc Heath)

4th May

Having missed the Black Tern yesterday due to barbeque comittments, I was eager to catch up with this species so I arrived at Westbere lake this morning around 7.30am. I stayed for an hour before going to uni. Birds noted were 1 Garden Warbler, 3 Blackcap, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Whitethroat, 4 Cetti's Warbler, 16 Great crested Grebe, 9 Greylag Geese and 1 Great spotted Woodpecker. On the Tern front, I could not locate the Black Tern but there were only 9 Common Tern, alot less than reported yesterday. Other birds were 3 Nightingale, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Chiffchaff and the lake was covered in hunting Swallows, Sand Martin, House and Swifts, quite a spectacle. As I was about to leave uni, I received a text from Sue Morton telling me the Black Tern had returned. I soon joined Sue where we had good views of the Black Tern as it fed with 22 Common Tern. It never came close and always followed the same flight path in the middle of the lake, nontheless, a smart bird to see. Also here were many hirundines still and it looks a good bet for a Red rump in the next few days if the numbers remain, also 2 Hobby. A quick whizz past Collards produced 2 Hobby, 2 Marsh Harrier and 6 Common Tern and a walk at Grove produced 3 Marsh Harrier, 2 Blackcap, 7 Chiffchaff, 1 Cuckoo, 6 Shelduck, 2 Nightingale, 3 Cetti's Warbler, 3 Hobby, 2 Kestrel, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron and 1 Greenshank. Interestingly the ramp and area held many House and Sand Martin, with a few hundred Swift but only a few Swallow here.

(Marc Heath)

3rd May

As you may have gathered from the lack of postings this weekend it has been an absolute wash-out. It has rained very heavily for the past three days so not a lot of birding was undertaken although, a few of us did brave the elements for a few hours each day, today being the best but we still got a little damp. Not much avian activity was noted but the highlights were, Brendan had Long-eared Owl at 4.15am on the 1st while Alan, Robin and I had a showy Barn Owl hunting between marsh hide and middle drove for half an hour early morning. Two Grass Snakes were in front of marsh hide, a large female and a much smaller male. Steve Ashton and I got our first Turtle Doves at Stodmarsh and the Bittern was booming on all three mornings. Only two birds of note on the 2nd were 1 Wheatear and 1 Greenshank from marsh hide plus a single Hobby late morning. Today (3rd) the highest Marsh Harrier count was 6 while Brendan caught up with Turtle Dove with not much else to add other than the usual summer migrants but, only 1 Nightingale and 1 Garden Warbler noted. There were however a very large number of hirrundines but no matter how we tried no Red-rumps could be found. Brendan decided Westbere might be a good place to try as there is good shelter from the rather brisk north easterly here for Swallows and Martins. This proved to be a great choice as this is where he discovered a superb adult Black Tern. The only other additions was that I got my first Willow Warbler here too.

(Martyn Wilson)