October sightings09

Not much of a session today as most of the time was taken up with jovial banter and rib tickling with Steve Ashton, Alan Ashdown and Mark Chidwick, plus trying out the views from the Reedbed Hide and the Tower Hide now the trees and other vegetation have been removed. The usual assortment of ducks on Stodmarsh lake included Mallard, Gadwall, Teal Shoveler and 17 Tufted Ducks. Great-crested Grebes are still in good number and other birds included Coot, Moorhen, 7 Marsh Harriers and 2 Little Egrets but no Goldcrests today or Redpolls and Siskins. There were still 2 Water Pipits at Marsh Hide and 6 Bearded Tits also showed there, still high numbers of Grey Heron around the reserve and good numbers of Gulls passing over towrds Westbere, worth a check in a few weeks time.

Although the morning started of a little misty then becoming thicker fog, it eventualy lifted when the sun broke through at 8.00ish. There was definately no sign of any migration happening today as there had been on Wednesday. Steve Ray and I walked the complete circuit stopping for a brief chat with Sue Morton at the Alder Wood. Although many commoner species are left of like, Blackbird, Wren, Coot blah blah birds making it into the notebook today were, 14 Cetti's Warblers, 1000+ Lapwings, 12/1300 Teal, 30 Fieldfares, 52 Greylag Geese, 27 Reed Buntings (again around the Ramp) with 6 Chaffinches, 5 Marsh Harriers 40ish Long-tailed Tits and 2 Redwings. There were, 7 Stonechats, 1 Redshank, 8 Bearded Tits, 1 Little Grebe, 12 Common Snipe, 77 Golden Plover (14 flew west with a small un identified wader?), 11 Grey Herons and 2 Water Pipits at Marsh Hide. Three or four Skylarks were about but they didn't feel like migrants and there were, 2 Kestrels, 1 Water rail, 7 Goldcrests, 2 Treecreepers, 2 Great-spotted Woodpeckers, 4 Common Gulls, 26 Tufted Ducks, 148 Shoveller, 2 Pochards, and 9 Great-crested Grebes. A small darkish Falcon was thought to be a Merlin although not enough was seen of it for possitive id and it seems a bit late for Hobby?. There were also 3 Ruff, 265 Black-headed Gulls and 1 Green Woodpecker>
(Martyn Wilson & Steve Ray)

It was a foggy day on the 6th of May in a Scammell hauling bricks, it was just cracking dawn and I started to yawn cause I couldn't find any nice chicks, I tried Newport Pagnell.... what am I doing quoting Laurie Lingo and the Dipsticks, yes the first five words are right but I was the dipstick (seems I wasn't the only one, see below) for being at Grove in the fog at 6.00am. I left at 8.30am without the fog lifting and being able to see just in front of my extensive nose?? The few birds noted today were, 12) Greylag Geese, 1 Water Rail, some Lapwings and Teal, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Ruff, 1 Snipe, 1 Marsh Harrier, 11 Long-tailed Tits, 3 Chiffchaffs and a Stonechats.

I had planned a session at Collards this morning hoping for some visible migration and maybe a good bird or two. On my way at 6am, I pulled into an opening overlooking Trenley Park wood where 2 Tawny Owls were calling as were 2 Common Buzzards to each other. I arrived at Collards soon after in 'thick' fog and spent an hour looking at not much but hearing a few things flying overhead. Birds noted were 34 Chaffinch, good numbers of Jackdaw, Rooks and Carrion Crows leaving roost, 2 Meadow Pipit, Greylag Geese and Wigeon heard somewhere in the distant fog, c25 Linnet 1 Siskin, 1 Great spotted Woodpecker, 2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Yellowhammer and a few of the commoner species. I then had a brief walk along the river on the northern side of Fordwich lake towards Westbere, again in fog noting 4 Jay, 1 Goldcrest, c15 Long tailed Tit, 1 Bullfinch, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Kingfisher, 3 Cetti's Warbler and 1 Great spotted Woodpecker.

A much more exciting day with a good bit of 'vis mig' going on. Marc Heath arrived minutes after I did and we made our way to the ramp on this very calm mild morning. The low lying mist lifted dropped even thicker then dispersed as the sun rose. 169 Greylag Geese left the pools and flew west and Teal numbered (including Stodmarsh) 13-1400, there were 1000+ Lapwings, 12 Cetti's Warblers, 9 Marsh harriers and the most enjoyable part of the vis mig, loads of winter Thrushes moving west and dropping into the paddock, with 234 Fieldfares and 180+ Redwings plus a few continental Blackbirds. There were no doubt more Redwings and Fieldfare as Marc heard some that I didn't plus we were watching other birds as well. There were 3 Stonechats, 1 Chiffchaff, 7 Corn Buntings out of their reedbed roost, 1 Kingfisher, 2 Pied Wagtails, 1 flyover Grey Wagtail, 4 Water Rails, 2 Ruff and the immature male Peregrine Falcon once again causing entropy amongst the gathered avian food source. Noticing Thrushes and other small passerines in the paddock we thought a closer look might warrant but, as we reached the bottom of the ramp all the birds arose once again, some gaining great height and, looking to see if it was the Peregrine again we both queried a single bird to the near left of the tumultuous mass, through the 10x50 BN's I immediatly recocnised a Glossy Ibis that had either been flushed from one of the back pools by the unknown rapacious invader or had joined the throng during thier disturbance. The second Glossy Ibis of the year was now passing high west overhead further up the valley before appearing to turn and drift down somewhere in the Stodmarsh/Water Meadows area (lost behind trees). Other migrating birds included at least 100 Skylarks mostly west, 7 Redpolls (6 south 1 west) plus another at the start of the path to Reed Bed hide at Stodmarsh. There were 8 Siskins north over harrison's plus large numbers of Chaffinches and a pair of Bullfinches in the paddock (a scarce bird here now). Also today were, 1 Greenshank, 2 Pintail west, 68 Golden Plovers, 172 Black-headed Gulls (ramp pool), 24 Stock Doves, 1 Jay, 4 Great-spotted Woodpeckers, 45+ Bearded Tits (a flock of 20 feeding on harrison's drove), 2 Ring-necked Parakeets, 4 Common Snipe and 3 Green Woodpeckers. Stodmarsh lake held 142 Shoveler, 2 Shelduck, 4 Gadwall, 9 Great-crested Grebes and 1 Wigeon.

(Martyn Wilson & Marc Heath)

A morning more of hope than expectation but alas nothing to stir the excitment. I did the whole circuit and saw nothing other than the usual bits and bobs seen most days. Today there were, 14 Cetti's Warblers, 1450 Teal, 148 Greylag Geese, 900 Lapwings, 9 Grey Herons, 6 Marsh harriers, 3 Water rails and 3 Kestrels. There were, 4 Ruff, 32 Feildfares, 35 Reed Buntings (again around the ramp), 3 Green Woodpeckers, 37 Golden Plovers, 3 Jays, 6 Stonechats, 2 Common Snipe and several Meadow Pipits. The green hide had one tatty female Pochard while a smart drake was on Stodmarsh lake as were, 1 Little Egret, 2 Black-tailed Godwits, 11 Great-crested Grebes, 2 Shelduck, 42 Tufted Ducks, 18 Gadwall and 163 Shoveller. Quite a few Skylarks were passing through and there were, 3 Water Pipits at the water meadows, 1 Sparrowhawk, 34 Long-tailed Tits, 1 Great-spotted Woodpecker and on the ramp pool were 163 Black-headed Gulls and 2 Common Gulls.

(Martyn Wilson)

25th October

A better turn out in much brighter weather conditions this Morning with both Marc Heath and Mark Chidwick at the entrance before first light and, from the ramp at 6ish o'clock four planets were seen. Venus, Saturn and two others we didn't know???. Marc came only armed with a camera and stayed until about 8.00am but we were joined by Pete Solly at about 6.30 and Norman McCanch a while later. As it was so quiet and lack lustre we only stayed until 10.00 before nearly passing out with boredom. There was no sign of the Great-grey Shrike today despite several people looking but there was a Water Pipit on Harrison's pool. Other birds today were, 194 Greylag Geese, 5 Cetti's Warblers, 800 Teal, 800 Lapwing, 1 Redshank, 6 Grey Herons, 5 Marsh Harriers, 40 Golden Plovers, 5 Ruff and 1 immature male Peregrine Falcon causing utter chaos amongst the gathered aviforna. There were at least 6 Stonechats, 1 Pied Wagtail, 1 Yellowhammer, 1 Little Egret, 5 Common Snipe, several Skylarks passing over, 1 Greenshank and 1 Pochard. A Great-spotted Woodpecker flew over the ramp, 186 Black-headed Gulls were on the ramp pool with 1 Common Gull and a Jay was in the paddocks. On passing Collard's on the way home (nowt to report here) a Common Buzzard was hanging in the air at Collie Corner.

(Martyn Wilson)

I made a second visit into the valley this afternoon, stopping briefly at Cow Corner, Collards and a walk in the alder wood at Stodmarsh. Despite the sunshine, I could not find and highlights, however, birds noted were c120 Greylag Geese, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Swallow, is this the last of the year?, 2 Great spotted Woodpecker, 2 Marsh Harrier, 2 Mistle Thrush, c400 Wigeon, 500+ Coot, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Siskin, 1 Sparrowhawk plus good numbers of Rook and Jackdaw giving ariel displays every now and then.

(Marc Heath)

Swallow - Marc Heath ©

Just Mark Chidwick and myself braved the inclement weather today, dodging showers and staying close to hides for cover, just in case. Best bird today was seen from the Green hide just after 7.00am seconds after entering when a Barn Owl came over and flew towards the Oxbow where it was lost to view. Other bits and pices today were, 4 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Grey Herons, 800 Teal, 700 Lapwings, 3 Water rails, 5 Ruff, 5 Marsh harriers, 2 Kestrels, 3 Stonechats and 1 Great-grey Shrike, although still in the middle drove area we watched distantly from the entrance track to green hide and also from Harrison's drove hide and the white house. There were, 3 Pochards, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Redshank, 4 Bearded Tits, 40 Golden Plovers, 1 Mistle Thrush, 2 Great-spotted Woodpeckers and 3 Ring-necked Parakeets. There were 279 Black-headed Gulls on the pool from the ramp plus 2 Common Gulls and 2 Redwings, 12 Fieldfares and a Green Woodpecker were also seen.

(Martyn Wilson & Mark Chidwick)

Birding at Grove Ferry today between 7.15am and 2.00pm with Steve Ray and Steve Ashton, being joined for some excellent banter and Shrike watching by Dylan Wrathall and John Cantelo. Birds making the notebook today were, 6 Marsh harriers, 8 Cetti's Warblers, 1200 Teal, 40 Reed Buntings (nearly all feeding on the ramp), 5 Chiffchaffs, 7 Stonechats, 2 Kestrels and 4 Water Rails. Only a few hundred Starlings left roost this morning well down on recent days but, perhaps the quite heavy surface mist this morning didn't help. The 1/w Great-grey Shrike was showing well along middle drove and there were, 2 flyover Great-spotted Woodpeckers and 7 flyover Ring-necked Parakeets, plus also today, 50+ Bearded Tits, 7 Common Snipe, 1 very late Hobby, 5 Ruff, 900 Lapwings, 1 Sparrowhawk and a Red Kite was also seen by Mark Kilner.

Patch watching can be very rewarding but can also be extremely frustrating. you here of migrants at other county or even country wide sites that may not be particularly rare but, not often seen at your local patch so, when a bird turns up and decides to hang around for a bit you get to study it a bit more and watch its habits. The Great-grey Shrike still present at Grove Ferry today was showing very well from middle drove, seen feeding, preening, flying and, although mentioned in the litrature, seen hovering. This is something i'd never seen from a Shrike before and was a suprise and a delight, a reward for actually watching a bird instead of travelling to it, ticking it of and then moving on to the next one. Other birds at Grove Ferry today were, 10 Cetti's Warblers, 700+ Lapwings, 2 Sparrowhawks, 6 Marsh Harriers, 5 Stonechats, 35 Greylag Geese 8 Grey Herons and 30.000 Starlings out of roost in 3 large groups and 4 smaller groups. There were, 2 Water rails, 800 Teal, 1 Greenshank, 1 Pochard, 7 Snipe, 2 Pied wagtails, 60 Golden Plovers, 2 Kestrels, several Skylarks passing through, 30ish Long-tailed Tits and at least 12 Swallows west.

I had a couple of hours at Grove Ferry after work, meeting Steve Ashton for a while where we had good views of the Great Grey Shrike although photo opportunities were hard as the bird continued to be very mobile. Birds noted were 5 Marsh Harrier, 38 Linnet, 2 Corn Bunting, 1 Little Egret, 1 Chiffchaff, 3 Stonechat, 1 Sparrowhawk, 4 Cetti's Warbler, 3 Snipe and 7 Skylark. There were 4 Golden Plover, 1 Water Rail, 2 Green Woodpecker, 4 Redwing, 4 Fieldfare, 1 Grey Heron, 8 Pied Wagtail, 1 Great spotted Woodpecker, 1 Jay, c300 Teal, c250 Lapwing and as I left small groups of Starling started arriving before going to roost.

A rather damp washout of a morning with little respite from the rain showers so, much hide use was made. Highlights of the day were the first winter Great-grey Shrike still being present and the arrival of Steve Ashton and his sidekick 'plastic man' Mike Gould (see Steve's blog here). Also noted throughout the wet morning were, 20 Greylag Geese, 500+ Teal, 2 Pochards (not plastic)(ref; Mike), 3 Water Rails, 6 Ruff, 350 Lapwing, 2 Marsh harriers and 3 Grey Herons. There were, 6 Snipe, 2 Cetti's Warblers, 8 Fieldfares, 10 Redwings, 1 Sparrowhawk and a few unseen Bearded Tits calling.

In spite of the pouring rain, there has been a party of about 15 – 20 House Martins flying around and feeding over Westbere Lake for most of the afternoon.

Steve Ray and I started on the ramp at a little after 7.00 this morning with a rather chilly south/south-easterly breeze blowing up the ramp. Birding from here was pretty mundane so we retreated to the green hide for coffee and to see if anything better was present. Coffee finished and still quiet, we decided to take a walk to marsh hide to see if any Water Pipits were in yet and to have a good scan for Sunday's Shrike in the 'perfeck Shrike habitat' between Harrison's Drove and the 'hump' approaching marsh hide. First bush we looked at and there it was, the first winter Great-grey Shrike gleaming in the early morning sun. A quick sucssesion of texts and a call to RBA was followed by the two of us being joined by Julie Childs, Marc Heath and (briefly) Steve Ashton. A new valley tick for Marc and Steve who had work comitments preventing a longer stay. Other birds noted today were, 5 Marsh harriers, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Pochards, 1 Ring-necked Parakeet, 3 migrant Skylarks, 4 Common Snipe, 2 Yellowhammers (1 east, 1 west), 12 Long-tailed Tits and 2 Sparrowhawks. There were, small parties of Redwing and Fieldfare passing over in groups of 10-20, plus 1 flyover Golden Plover, 1 Peregrine Falcon, 3 Kestrels and 1 Grey Wagtail west. When we eventually got to Marsh hide there were indeed 2 Water Pipits (the first sightings this Autumn). Two Stonecahts were seen as were, 1 Tufted Duck a flock of 11 Common Gulls over (certainly the largest single flyby that i've seen here?) with 4 on the main pool from the ramp with 182 Black-headed Gulls and at least 450 Teal.

After the excitement of adding the Shrike to my Valley list, a few other birds were noted throughout the day when I returned to the valley. 8 Ruff, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Greenshank, 4 Stonechat, 1 Siskin and 11 Crossbill south west calling. Stodmarsh held 9 Pochard, 10 Tufted Duck, 4 Grey Heron, 7 Great crested Grebe, 2 Marsh Harrier and 1 Siskin. A quick look at Collards produced 40 Mute Swan, 14 Great crested Grebe, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Marsh Harrier, c300 Wigeon, 5 Greylag and 1 Yellowhammer. I ended up with a second visit to the Shrike which showed well but was mobile ranging from near Harrisons hide to the bottom of middle drove.

There was a Red Kite seen over Grove Ferry at 1.35pm heading towards Stodmarsh as per the RBA pagers and whilst teaching PE at work today, although c150 yards out of the valley boundary, I had a flock of 8 Crossbill flying west calling.

I cycled over to Grove Ferry this afternoon for 45 minutes in the hope that the Great grey Shrike would perform for me as I needed it for my valley list. Despite a search of the general area, I could not find it, I hope it may still be in the area!! Birds noted were c500 Lapwing, c200 Teal, 6 Ruff, 6 Golden Plover, 2 Chiffchaff, 11 Redwing, 2 Ring necked Parakeet, 3 Jay, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 4 Snipe, 2 Stonechat and 1 Grey Heron.

Mark Chidwick and I made our way to the ramp at 6.30/6.45ish where we were greeted with much the same as yesterday and, with no wind and bright clear skies it felt more empty than yesterday. We had a while on the ramp took in the green hide, harrison's and the white house without much of note so decided an early finish was in order. back on the ramp at just before 9.00am and a quick scan of the pool (always difficult when sunny) then I looked behind towards the paddock thinking "not even any thrushes to look at when I noticed a very white looking bird atop one of the bushes, a look through the scope comfirmed a Great-grey Shrike. This bird, a first winter, was quite mobile, venturing up the main path as well as out to the 'Cuckoo tree' (regulars know this one) and back to the Paddock. It showed on and of from around 9.10 until 10.00, after that it could not be relocated. Several Song Thrushes and Redwings began dropping in at about 10ish and birds noted before the Shrike were, 23 Greylag Geese, 10 Marsh Harriers, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Little Egret, 2 Kestrels, 5 Ruff and again 20,000+ Starlings. There were also, 5 Water Rails, 3 Grey Herons, 1 Golden Plover with another 30 over the paddock while searching for the Shrike plus, 1 Kingfisher and 2 Stonechats. Great views were had of the Shrike as it flew over the base of the ramp actively chasing 2 Reed Buntings, the camera was not out of the bag then unfortunately.

A rather unispiring mornig in the valley with Steve Ray and Mark Chiddwick where (with certain highlights) between us we recorded, 9 Marsh harriers, 11 Cetti's Warblers, 7 Ruff, 1 Sparrowhawk, 7 Little Egrets and 20-30,000 Starlings all leaving roost in an amazing spectacle of. Four waves in wich the two biggests flocks departed the Stodmarsh area and pulsed out over Seaton/Preston. Also today were, 1 adult Great Black-backed Gull (seldom seen at Grove), 25 Golden Plovers, 1 Chiffchaff, a flock of 10 Fieldfares (first of the Autumn), 1150 Teal, 3 Wigeon, 12 Pochards, 5 Snipe and 1 Tufted Duck. Mark pointed out a handsome Grey Wagtail at Marsh hide that got the cameras clicking for the only time today and there were a flock of 24 Redwings west, 2 Pintail, 1 shelduck, 11 Grey Herons, 25 Shoveller, 42 Gadwall, 7 Great-crested Grebes, 1 Kingfisher, 2 Water Rails, 1 Greenshank and 1 Green Sandpiper. Suprise of the morning was a Treecreeper in river side bushes by the boat morings and highlight of the day was when a stop at Collard's to look fo scarce Gulls produced a fine adult Kittiwake at midday rising from the surface of the lake and disappearing towards Hersden. This being my first for the Stour Valley, the only other inland Kitt i've seen was a juvenile at New Hythe back in the mid 90's.

I arrived at Grove Ferry this morning at 5.45am to the sound of a single Tawny Owl calling. I was soon joined by Martyn, Mark and later Pete where we birded from the ramp for a couple of hours. Birds noted were 4 Stonechat, 3 Cetti's warbler, 2 Grey Heron, 2 Redshank, 2 Water Rail, 116 Greylag Geese out of roost, 1 Pintail, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Kestrel, 1 Green Woodpecker, 6 Marsh Harrier, 3 Redwing over calling, 8 Ruff and 6 Mute Swan. There were 11 Long tailed Tit, 1 Greenshank, 1 Dunlin, 1 Siskin flying north, 1 Snipe, 1 Great spotted Woodpecker, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Grey Wagtail east, 2 Wigeon, 117 Black headed Gull, 2 Swallow, 1 Little Egret, 1 Skylark, 3 Pied Wagtail, 2 Common Gull and c300 Lapwing and c200 Teal.

A juvenile Spoonbill was present on the main lake at Stodmarsh mid morning before flying west.

I made a couple of visits into the valley today again, Grove Ferry this morning and a brief visit to Collards and Grove again after uni. Birds noted this morning were 7 Golden Plover, 8 Ruff, 4 Cetti's Warbler, 6 Chiffchaff, c400 Teal, 1 Great spotted Woodpecker, 6 Mute Swan, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Sparrowhawk, c550 Lapwing, 1 Marsh Harrier, 5 Greylag Geese, 3 Bearded Tit and 2 Green Woodpecker. A look at Collards produced 32 Great crested Grebe, 54 Mute Swan, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Little Grebe, 4 Tufted Duck, 1 Grey Wagtail east, c28 Wigeon, c60 Greylag Geese and c300 Coot. Grove Ferry was much the same as earlier in the morning with 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Ring necked Parakeet, 2 Snipe and 1 Kestrel added.

I made a visit to Grove Ferry this afternoon with the promised rain soaking me and my optics. The pools had a bit more water in and with more rain on the way, hopefully a few more birds will get on the pools. Birds noted were 9 Chiffchaff, 4 Stonechat, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Pochard, 3 Bearded Tit, 42 Black headed Gull present, 3 Cetti's Warbler, 3 Water Rail, 4 Snipe, 1 Hobby, 2 Marsh Harrier, 5 Swallow, 8 Golden Plover and 8 Wigeon. There were 2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Greenshank heard, 1 Great spotted Woodpecker, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Mistle Thrush, 1 Little Egret and in the paddock were 4 Blackcap, 5 Redwing, 5 Song Thrush and 1 Jay.

I have a few sightings from the Grove ferry end of the Stodmarsh reserve on Sunday: 2 hobbys (or is it hobbies?) 1 Red kite, 1 sparrowhawk, 1 greenshank, 1 kestrel. Sorry I didnt email them sooner but it took me a couple of days to realise the hobbies were late(ish) and the 'male marsh harrier' was actually a red kite (I saw/photographed a big raptor and being at Stodmarsh didnt consider it was anything but a marsh harrier! A mistake I wont make again!)
Ive posted the photos on my blog here: http://my.opera.com/Ukwildlife/blog/raptors-at-grove-ferry-end-of-stodmarsh-nnr
(Neil Phillips)

It seems a while since I have been out early morning listening for Owls so I duly arrived this morning in the valley at 5am where I drove around in darkness listening for nocturnal life. I managed to hear 4 Tawny and 4 Little Owls and at Stodmarsh, there was 1 Barn Owl hunting on the north side of the main lake near Hersden Industrial estate. I spent a few hours at Stodmarsh checking the main lake and bushes and noted 5 Grey Heron, 8 Cetti's Warbler, 9 Water Rail, 89 Greylag Geese towards Seaton, 3 Jay, c15 Chiffchaff, 9 Black tailed Godwit on the edge of the main lake which is at its lowest for a number of years, 9 Marsh Harrier circling together early on before departing towards Grove Ferry and 2 Green Woodpecker. There were 177 Shoveler, 1 Wigeon, 6 Great crested Grebe, 6 Swallow, 5 Mute Swan, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Kestrel, 2 Blackcap, 1 Little Egret, c10 Long tailed Tit and a few Chaffinch and Greenfinch around the entrance to the car park.

I arrived at Grove Ferry at 6.15am in the dark just as Martyn, Mark and Alan were making their way to the ramp. We birded from the ramp for a while and then moved on to the Green hide before I left at 8.30am. Birds noted were 6 Marsh Harrier out, 2 Kestrel, c300 Greylag Geese out of roost, c100 Lapwing, 3 Grey Heron, 1 Water Rail, 2 Green Woodpecker, 3 Chiffchaff, 3 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Pied Wagtail, 1 Stonechat, 3 Snipe, 2 Pochard, 1 Bearded Tit, c60 Wigeon west and 1 Blackcap. A look in the paddock revealed the first 2 Redwing of the autumn along with 4 Song Thrush, 18 Goldfinch and 1 Ring necked Parakeet heard.

It was hard work this morning on the coast so I gave up early and called in at Collard’s on my way home. Good numbers of Wigeon had arrive with 70 plus but the most notable occurrence was 89 Gt-cr Grebes, which is an exceptional count for the site. I called in at Grove in the evening but saw very little. There were around 1,200 Lapwing but most of these were on the back pools and could only be viewed when put up by a Harrier. I managed to pick out 2 Ruff from the distant flock. Other than that a single Little Egret, a Sparrow Hawk and 4 Wigeon were the highlights

Being the first day of the month, I made a visit to Grove Ferry for an hour at 7.15am. I spent most of the time on the ramp with a fleeting visit to the Green hide. I managed to see 46 species. Birds noted were 5 Blackcap, 6 Chiffchaff, 4 Cetti’s Warbler, 3 Green Woodpecker, 5 Song Thrush, c150 Lapwing, 4 Greylag Geese, 3 Snipe, 2 Marsh Harrier, 2 Green Sandpiper, c300 Teal with a few Gadwall and Mallard as well as 2 Shoveler and 2 Wigeon. There were 2 Bearded Tit, 1 Little Egret, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Mute Swan, 2 Stock Dove, c350 Woodpigeon, 1 Stonechat, 1 Whinchat on bushes near the ramp, 2 Pochard, 1 Greenshank, 1 Water Rail, 2 Mistle Thrush as well as the commoner species normally noted. Reed Buntings are starting to build up around the ramp area as well as more Finches noted.