Novsightings2011

Number of species seen so far this year = 178

29th November

Did the circuit Tuesday 10.00 - 14.00 - windy
From ramp - Bittern flew into reeds to the left and among the large numbers of Teal and Lapwings, 2 Blackwits, 3 Drake Pintail, a Redshank and a Golden Plover. Marsh Hide - Little Egret, 2 Ruff, 4 Snipe, f Merlin on ground, 2 Water Pipits, 3/4 Bullfinches from Jungle to the river also tit flock(Blue,Great, Long-tailed) Goldcrests. Lots of Fieldfares and quite a few Marsh Harrier sightings - at least 4 different birds. Nothing at all on the water meadow and the best I could manage in the alder wood was a Goldfinch.
(Chris Fox)

25th November

I enjoyed a couple of hours out at a bright and sunny, if rather windy, Grove Ferry this morning . It was rather quiet with a single Bittern cruising low over the reeds being a highlight. (A couple more were reported elsewhere on the reserve today). Three Little Egret were also present. The small party of Greylags that landed in front of the Marsh Hide included 6 White fronted Geese. A similar number of Water Pipits were in evidence stalking through the muddy reeds (although twice as many had been seen flying in earlier). En route between the Marsh and Feast Hides several flocks of Fieldfare, amounting to c450 birds in total, crossed the valley some flying other and others bouncing across from hawthorn to hawthorn. A dozen or so Redwing also slipped through. The Feast Hide held little although a couple of Cetti's called and a Water Rail repeatedly squealed. From the mound there were 500-600 Lapwing, 200+ Teal and a couple of Shelduck.
(John Cantelo)

24th November

With another fog clear morning I gave Grove Ferry another bash in the hope of seeing a Penduline Tit. It was more or less like groundhog day again with most the same birds seen again as yesterday. I had a look from the ramp with another visit to the Feast hide. Birds noted were 33 Cormorant, 5 Marsh Harrier, 4 Goldcrest, 3 Water Rail, 3 Cetti's Warbler, 3 Black tailed Godwit, 1 Kestrel, 1 Greylag Goose and 6 Fieldfare. I once again walked down checking all the likely areas for a Penduline Tit and as I passed the Feast hide I heard a call a few times. It was a Penduline Tit. I could not locate the bird but it did not sound far away. I went into the hide and Alan Ashdown was in position. Alan had already seen a ring tail Hen Harrier leaving the reserve. I joined him and within seconds heard the call again. Once again I could not locate the bird but at least one is still on site. Other bits noted were c500 Lapwing, c250 Teal, 15 Mute Swan, 6 Corn Bunting, 1 Kingfisher, 4 Reed Bunting and 1 Snipe. I called in again after work and watched from the ramp noting 4 Black tailed Godwit, 36 Cormorant, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Goldcrest, 7 Marsh Harrier, c200 Fieldfare, 2 Grey Heron and standing at the gate at dusk once again produced 2 Woodcock flying out of roost to feed.

(Marc Heath)

23rd November

For once I woke up this morning and there was no fog so after having breakfast I drove over to Grove Ferry before work to see if I could locate a Penduline Tit. As I arrived at Grove there was a little fog but not enough to make viewing a challenge. I had a quick look from the ramp and then spent 30 miutes walking down to the Feast hide and a quick look from the hide. In lovely still conditions I noted 4 Goldcrest, 1 Kestrel, 3 Marsh Harrier, 12 Fieldfare, 1 Stonechat, 2 Green Woodpecker, 5 Greylag Geese and 34 Eurasian White fronted Geese flew high east calling. There were 3 Cetti's Warbler, 3 Black tailed Godwit, 2 Ruff, 4 Reed Bunting, 1 Great spotted Woodpecker, 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Little Grebe and 1 Water Rail. Whilst sat in the Feast hide I heard a call to my left which got my Interest. Having just heard Reed Buntings calling this sounded somewhat different. It was the pleasing sound of a Penduline Tit calling. I could not locate the bird and it only called a few times before falling silent. Hopefully it will give itself up soon to me. Other bits included 2 Grey Heron, 1 Redshank, 1 Golden Plover and c300 Lapwing.

I did not finish work until nearly 4.30pm tonight but with a clear sky I drove over to Grove Ferry and stood at the gate for 15 minutes. A good call as 2 Woodcock were seen flying out of the paddock.

(Marc Heath)

22nd November

1 Penduline Tit was seen between the ramp and the Feast hide in the morning per the RBA pagers.

20th November

Just been for a quickie around Stoddy and saw 2 Penduline Tits initially from the main track 50m from the Feast hide and then from the Feast hide feeding together on the first reed stand from the hide. They were very close!
(Alan Cooke)

19th November

Liz and I enjoyed a casual perambulation round the 'circuit' this afternoon (not including the 'mound'). Several Cetti's were making their noisy presence felt and I twice missed Bittern by a few minutes at either end of the reserve. A small posse of pipits flew up distantly in front of the Marsh Hide allowing only the suspicion that they were Water Pipits. A couple of Marsh Harriers lived up to their name by harrying a good sized flock of Lapwings. No sign of the Glossy Ibis. All rather quiet and predictable. However, at Harrison's I heard the familiar 'pronk! pronk!" of a Raven - a welcome valley tick - which proceeded to fly low over the area towards Preston Marshes.
(John Cantelo)

17th November

The resident Glossy Ibis was still at the Marsh hide today per the RBA pagers.

16th November

This morning I walked around the north side of Westbere Lake and then down the path to the river. It was dull and grey but not too cold as there was very little wind. The following birds were noted:- 14 Mute Swans, 30 Great Crested Grebes, 2 Little Grebes, 12 Mallard, 14 Tufted Duck, 7 Cormorants and 2 Marsh Harriers. There were 2 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 4 Goldcrests, 4 Jays, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 6 Robins, lots of Blackbirds and some mixed parties of Blue, Great and Long-tailed Tits. Several hundred gulls were, as usual, on the lake beyond the yacht club, but there seemed to be fewer Coots than normal for the time of year. Other than that, a couple of Pheasants were across the river, 2 Water Rail were heard, 15+ House Sparrows were in the hedgerow by the railway and a few Fieldfares flew over. Nothing very out of the ordinary, but a surprisingly enjoyable walk.
(Sue Morton)

The Glossy Ibis was still present from the Marsh hide this morning and 11 Eurasian White fronted Geese were seen in fields along the entrance track at Stodmarsh per the RBA pagers.

15th November

I expected to wake to thick fog this morning but surprisingly it was quite clear so I decided on a visit to Grove before work. There was some fog in the valley but this was mostly towards Stodmarsh and the sun soon rose and made for some excellent lighting over the main pool. Birds noted from the ramp included 7 Barnacle Geese which stayed around for the visit, occasionally flying around when the birds were flushed but normally returning back to the pool. There seem to have been an influx in the last few days with Geese around the county so who knows if these are the 'real' thing or not. Other birds noted were 1 Great spotted Woodpecker, 3 Goldcrest, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Jay, 1 Curlew flew in from the north calling before flying into the fog, 2 cetti's Warbler, 4 Reed Bunting, 1 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 4 Mute Swan, 5 Ruff, 1 Dunlin, 2 Shelduck, 1 Greylag Goose, 24 Black headed Gull and 2 Redshank. There were 3 Pied Wagtail, 1 Water Rail, c800 Lapwing, c500 Teal and 2 Marsh Harrier. With the evenings soon getting dark now I made another visit to Grove after work where I once again watched from the ramp until dusk. I noted c200 Greylag Geese, 10 Long tailed Tit, 7 Marsh Harrier, 7 Corn Bunting, c70 Fieldfare, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Water Rail, 1 Meadow Pipit, 1 Pied Wagtail and 2 Golden Plover.

(Marc Heath)

Sue Morton made a visit to Stodmarsh this afternoon and saw the Glossy Ibis from the Marsh hide and there was a Bean Goose reported at Stodmarsh along the entrance track in fields with Greylag Geese per the RBA pagers.

Barnacle Geese - Marc Heath ©

14th November

The Glossy Ibis was still present today from the Marsh hide per the RBA pagers.

13th November

The Glossy Ibis was still present from the Marsh hide today per the RBA pagers. here is a list from the ramp. I had 7 ruff, a single Golden Plover and one Redshank. Plenty of Lapwings and teal and Greylags. From the Feast hide not a lot, just bumped into Mr Hoillday,who had the kingfisher on the chiddy stick, moving along we moved up to the gate on Harrisons drove noting 5 Marsh Harriers heading towards Stodmarsh and a Peregrine heading towards Sandwich and a single Little Egret, this is where I got told about the Bean Geese. With light fading fast I headed off to the Marsh hide with the Glossy Ibis flying about heading to roost ,the 2 Tundra Bean Geese where just to the right on the steel gate. On my way back seeing the Barn Owl flying to my right near the caravan then fly in front of me, then landing on the gate by the hump.

(Mark Chidwick)

Tundra Bean Geese - Mark Chidwick ©

11th November

For a change this morning I made a visit to Westbere Lakes where I spent 45 minutes walking around in pretty heavy fog on the north side of the lakes. birds noted were 8 Mute Swan, 1 Linnet, 1 Pied Wagtail, 20 Tufted Duck, 8 Great crested Grebe, 4 Little Grebe, 16 Mallard, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Jay, 21 Fieldfare, 13 Long tailed Tit, 2 Goldcrest and 2 Cetti's Warbler. There were 11 Pochard, 13 Redwing, 1 Redpoll, 1 Siskin, 1 Great spotted Woodpecker, 2 Cormorant and 1 Shoveler. The Glossy Ibis was also seen seen late morning at Stodmarsh from the Marsh hide per the RBA pagers.

(Marc Heath)

10th November

I arrived at a foggy Grove Ferry this morning at 7.15am where I watched or mostly listened from the ramp. I could just about make out the birds from the ramp and they appeared and disappeared as the fog come and went. Birds noted were 3 Goldcrest, 3 Cetti's Warbler, 9 Long tailed Tit, 50 Cormorant, 14 Fieldfare, c700 Teal, a few Greylag Geese could be heard in the fog, c300 Lapwing, 1 Yellowhammer, 2 Mute Swan, 1 Bearded Tit, 4 Reed Bunting and a few Redwing heard and seen. There were 6 Black tailed Godwit, 1 Shelduck, 4 Marsh Harrier, 3 Snipe, 1 Meadow Pipit, 51 Black headed Gull present and 2 Pied Wagtail.

(Marc Heath)

9th November

Mark Chidwick had a brief visit to the ramp at Grove Ferry tonight just before it got dark and noted 2 Black tailed Godwit, 1 Redshank, good numbers of Greylag Geese and Lapwings and 3 Marsh Harrier. Starling numbers are building up and they put on a good ariel display over the reedbeds.

7th November

I made a brief visit to Grove Ferry after work where I had a brisk walk down to the Marsh hide in the hope the Ibis would be standing outside the hide posing. After a few minutes the Glossy Ibis appeared at the back of the main pool and stayed there. Nice views but not for the camera. There were Thrushed everywhere with c600 Fieldfare seen and a good sprinkling of Redwing too. Other birds noted were 6 Blaxk tailed Godwit, c300 Greylag Geese, 7 Wigeon, 2 Lesser black backed Gull, 19 Black headed Gull, 5 Marsh Harrier, 2 Little Grebe, 6 Mute Swan, 3 Grey Heron, 1 Little Egret, c700 Lapwing, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Reed Bunting, 20+ Water Pipit from the Marsh hide, 1 Sparrowhawk, 12 Canadea Geese, 2 Water Rail, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Kestrel, 1 Ruff, 1 male Hen Harrier past through over the back pool before cutting across the reedbed and over the Feast hide towards Stodmarsh and 1 Green Woodpecker along the entrance track.

(Marc Heath)

3rd November

I had a brief visit to Grove Ferry after work tonight in cloudy and windy conditions. I had a look from the ramp, Feast and Harrisons hide and noted 2 Black tailed Godwit, 3 Ruff, c170 Greylag Geese, c600 Teal, c600 Lapwing, 2 Little Grebe, 5 Marsh Harrier, 41 Cormorant, 1 Grey Heron, 19 Pied Wagtail, 1 Water Pipit, 2 Snipe, 10 Linnet, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 ring tail Hen Harrier showed well from Harrisons hide passing very close to the hide as it was getting dark and 26 Fieldfare flew north.

(Marc Heath)

2nd November

Being a sunny and pleasant day Liz and I ventured out to Stodmarsh for a gentle peregrination round the ‘circuit’ this afternoon. All the usual suspects – Gadwall, Shoveler, Cetti’s, etc – were present as we wandered towards the Marsh Hide. At the hide the Glossy Ibis was happily feeding, albeit distantly, in the meadows. Continuing on across the reserve and back along the river few birds were in evidence, but in the flooded meadows there were 4 Ruff and a sprinkling of Pied Wagtails. As we made our way along the home stretch back towards the car park a small party of Fieldfares came over ‘chacking’ loudly.

(John Cantelo)

1st November

I arrived at Grove Ferry before work this morning at 7.15am where I had a look from the ramp and then a quick visit to the Feast hide. 3 Goldcrest were calling as I made my way down the main track and 2 Bullfinch called nearby. birds noted from the ramp and Feast hide included 5 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Marsh Harrier, 3 Reed Bunting, 25 Greylag Geese, 3 Mute Swan, 1 Little Egret, 28 Skylark west, 2 Cormorant, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Ruff, 2 Black tailed Godwit, 3 Water Rail, 2 Little Grebe, 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Meadow Pipit, 3 Stock Dove and 1 Great spotted Woodpecker. With sunny conditions and not a breath of wind I made another visit after work where I had a quick walk down to the Marsh hide in the hope the Ibis would be close. On arrival the Glossy Ibis was easily picked out in front of the hide but again quite distant for any photo opportunities. Not long after the Glossy flew off towards Stodmarsh, presumably to roost. I made my way back and met up with Sue Morton and Mark Chidwick where we watched and hoped for a Short eared Owl, needless to say we did not see one but had views of a male Hen Harrier as it flew past on its way to Stodmarsh. Also noted were 6 Marsh Harrier, 10 Fieldfare, 4 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Kestrel, 1 Jay, 8 Meadow Pipit and 2 Snipe.

(Marc Heath)