September Sightings

Sightings can be Emailed to:

      Martyn Wilson - martynwilson@talktalk.net

   Marc Heath - Heathym007@aol.com   

Grove Ferry river trips visit here.

30th September

I made a couple of visits to Westbere today in the hope of getting some images of the Red necked Grebe. No chance, I couldn't even find the bird which either remained elusive or has moved on. I did note 23 Great crested Grebe, 1 juvenile Common Tern, 5 Tufted Duck, 4 Chiffchaff, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Mistle Thrush, 2 Water Rail, 3 Jay, 7 Siskin, 6 Long tailed Tit, 1 juvenile Black Tern, 4 Goldcrest, 2 Common Buzzard, 1 Hobby, 3 Kestrel and 1 Sparrowhawk. The juvenile Pectoral Sandpiper was still at the Water meadows at Grove per the RBA pagers.

(Marc Heath)

29th September

The juvenile Pectoral Sandpiper was still at the water meadows at Grove Ferry this morning and the Red necked Grebe and juvenile Black Tern were still on Westbere lakes per the RBA pagers.

28th September

I had an early start this morning, leaving home on the bike at 6.50am and cycling to Westbere Lakes for another look for the Red necked Grebe. However, despite a search I could not find it and other birders throughout the day also drew a blank. Birds noted were 10 Goldfinch, 2 Goldcrest, 2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Common Tern but no sign of the juvenile Black Tern, 1 Chiffchaff, 26 Swallow passed over, 3 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Great spotted Woodpecker, 1 Jay and 15 Wigeon on the main lake. I received a text from Martyn whilst out informing me that he had just found a juvenile Pectoral Sandpiper from the Feast hide, a good but almost annual bird in the valley. Other bits I noted before work were 2 Tufted Duck, 3 Pochard, 10 Song Thrush over, 1 Redwing, 1 Grey Wagtail and 1 Water Rail. I opted after work for a visit to Grove Ferry to try to connect with the Pec Sand. I made visits to the ramp, Feast and Harrisons hide and a visit to the water meadow. Birdfs noted were 1 Ruff, 33 Black headed Gull, 36 Swallow, 3 Little Egret, 1 Tufted Duck, 12 Snipe, 1 Little Grebe, 3 Bearded Tit, 3 Pochard, 2 Water Rail, 3 Marsh Harrier and 1 Green Sandpiper. Whilst at the water meadow I met another birder and as we scanned a quiet pool I picked out a small wader feeding. It was the juvenile Pectoral Sandpiper. It showed well although quite distant through bins but I managed a few dodgy record shots in the fading light. Other bits noted were 1 Sparrowhawk, 5 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff and a few hundred Greylag Geese, Teal and Lapwing.

(Marc Heath)

                                                                             

27th September

I had a free lesson at school this morning so I decided on a walk down to Westbere and have a brief look at the lakes. The sun was shining and the wind had dropped and I hoped for a few fly over migrants. Birds noted were 3 Goldfinch, 5 Goldcrest, 2 Jay, 1 Redwing flying over calling, my first of the autumn, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kingfisher, 2 Great spotted Woodpecker, 7 Mistle Thrush together in one flock and 1 Meadow Pipit. There were 7 Great crested Grebe and whilst counting I saw another Grebe off the small island near the railway line. To my astonishment, It was a Red necked Grebe, an adult which appeared to be going into winter plumage. It showed briefly but well enough before vanishing into the reeds. This is my first in the Valley and a very welcome addition. I text the locals and had to return to work, Brendan arriving shortly after and after a search, finding the bird again and obtaining some record shots. I returned after work and met Sue Morton at the entrance and we tried again for the Grebe, this time it remained elusive. However in the distance, a small Tern was flying around which we investigated which turned out to be a juvenile Black Tern. Other birds noted here were 2 Treecreeper, 1 Hobby, 1 Common Tern, 2 Kingfisher, 1 Marsh Harrier, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 3 Siskin flew north calling, my first of the autumn and a few Pochard and Tufted Duck. We had one more brief look on our way out and luckily the Red necked Grebe was showing very well in the open. Sue ran home for her camera whilst mine remained at home which proved frustrating as it posed nicely at 10 metres range. Nonetheless, a cracking bird and hopefully it will remain into tomorrow so I can get some shots of it. Martyn also had a Jack Snipe at Grove Ferry this morning flying over the ramp.

(Marc Heath)

25th September

Just a brief visit (15 mins) this afternoon.  1430 ish. Pink-footed Goose - 19 circled over the main pool before flying off SE. Ruff - 5 from viewing ramp. Greylag Goose - 200+ in field next to viewing ramp. Dunlin - 1 from viewing ramp.
(Andy Millar)

15th September

I managed to grab an hour over Grove Ferry before work this morning between 7.20 - 8.20am, making visits to the ramp and the Feast hide in the early morning sunshine. Birds noted were 2 Green Sandpiper, 4 Black tailed Godwit, 1 Spotted Redshank flew from Baillons pool calling, 1 Water Rail, 4 Chiffchaff, 4 Bearded Tit, 5 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Ruff, c55 Black headed Gull from the main pool, 5 Little Egret and 1 Grey Heron. There were 14 Mute Swan, 1 Garganey still from the Feast hide, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Pintail, 1 female Mandarin Duck flew over the Feast hide with Duck towards the Oxbow lake, 5 Swallow, 1 Great spotted Woodpecker, 1 Snipe, 1 Willow Warbler, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Jay, c400 Lapwing, a few Sedge and Reed Warbler in bushes around the Feast hide and good numbers of Mallard and Teal with a few Gadwall noted.

(Marc Heath)

12th September

I arrived at a quiet Grove Ferry this morning and soon after Martyn pulled up, only to vanish again as he left his phone at home! I stood at the gate in the dark and noted calling Redshank, Spotted Redshank, 2 Little Owl and Greylag Geese. Eventually Martyn arrived back and we made our way to the ramp being joined by Pete Solly a while later and then a number of other birders. I birded the Grove end till 8.30am noting the following: 4 Spotted Redshank, 5 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Skylark, 2 Grey Heron, 4 Water Rail, 1 Hobby, 17 Marsh Harrier including 1 wing tagged juvenile Sheppey bird, 3 Curlew, 4 Little Egret, 2 Kestrel, 1 Peregrine, 3 Ruff but as of 8.30am, no sign of the Wilson's Phalarope. There were c480 Greylag Geese, 9 Yellow Wagtail, 3 Pintail, 1 Tufted Duck, 2 Green Sandpiper, 11 Mute Swan, c32 Black headed Gull present, 1 Kingfisher, 2 Common Tern, 1 Jay, 1 Ring necked Parakeet, 5 Bearded Tit, 1 female Mandarin Duck, 5 Black tailed Godwit, 3 Snipe, 1 Great spotted Woodpecker, c300 Lapwing, a few Sedge and Reed Warblers enjoying the sunshine and Gadwall, Teal and Shoveler noted.

Ian Pritchard saw 3 Whinchat and 1 Wheatear in fields behind Harrisons Drove hide today and Stephen Message had 2 Firecrest at 1pm along the river at Grove.

(Marc Heath)

11th September

With the prospect of a number of birders turning up at Grove this morning, I was out early arriving at Grove at 4.45am where a while later I was joined in the darkness by Martyn and Mark and then Phil on the ramp. I heard 1 Tawny Owl whilst dozing in the car and as light broke, we made our way to the ramp. We had a search for the Phalarope with no luck but a while later when we were at the water meadows, the Wilson's Phalarope appeared from the ramp and later from Harrisons. It then spent the rest of the day wandering mostly between the ramp and Harrisons and when I returned tonight at 5.30pm it showed well but distantly from Harrisons along with 4 Spotted Redshank and 2 Ruff. The digiscoping gear was dusted off and some very distant shots attempted. I know its not good but its the best I could manage!! Other birds seen today included 1 Redshank, 3 Grey Heron, 1 Water Rail, 6 Cetti's Warbler, 1 female Mandarin Duck, 11 Marsh Harrier, 3 Pintail, 3 Curlew, 8 Little Egret, 20 Mute Swan, 10 Ruff, 9 Green Sandpiper and 2 Black tailed Godwit. There were 6 Snipe, 3 Kestrel, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 5 Chiffchaff, 1 Turtle Dove, 4 Meadow Pipit, 2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Great spotted Woodpecker, 1 Jay, 1 Wigeon, 1 Kingfisher, c250 Greylag Geese, c400 Lapwing and growing numbers of Teal, Gadwall, Mallard and Shoveler.

(Marc Heath)

10th September

It appears to have been another bird filled day in the Stour Valley. The juv/1st winter Wilson's Phalarope has shown on and off all day, being seen mostly either from the ramp or the water meadows. I managed to get down tonight and see it again very briefly from the main pool before it was chased off and it flew down towards the water meadows. Another scarce bird was seen by Brendan this morning in the form of a Tree Pipit and later in the morning, I received an Email from Jim Bloor alerting me that he had found a juvenile Pectoral Sandpiper on the water meadows which later could not be refound. Jim also noted a couple of Green Sandpiper, 5 Ruff, 1 Redshank, 1 Black tailed Godwit and several Snipe. Other birds noted today in the valley were 2 Wood Sandpiper and 2 Spotted Redshank. Other bits I noted this evening from the ramp were 5 Snipe, 4 Wigeon, 6 Ruff, 1 Common Tern, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Black tailed Godwit, 2 Little Egret, c60 Black headed Gull present, 4 Pintail, 2 Green Sandpiper, 1 Garganey from the Feast hide, 1 Pochard, 2 Sparrowhawk, 1 Shelduck, 1 Grey Heron, c30 Goldfinch, 1 Water Rail, c400 Lapwing, c200 Greylag Geese and the usual assortment of Mallard, Teal, Gadwall and Shoveler.

(Marc Heath)

9th September

How umpredictable birding can be as was proven tonight when a stunning juvenile Wilson's Phalarope was found at Grove Ferry, an absolute MEGA for the Stour Valley. As the news got out I made my way over to Grove Ferry in driving rain and joined Martyn and others who were sheltering from the rain. The Phalarope had been showing well from the ramp but on my arrival, it had flown towards Harrisons hide. With a limited time I opted for another soaking and ran to Harrisons whereby I was soon joined by Matt Hindle who located it at the back of the pool. We had good scope views as this elegant wader fed actively and minute by minute, other birders arrived to appreciate this little cracker at Grove. This is a new species for the Stour Valley and a welcome Kent and patch tick for me. Lets hope it hangs on till the weekend!! I was not really looking elsewhere but did note 3 Curlew and a few Green Sandpiper as well. I left a happy chappy and the Phalarope continued to show throughout the evening to the gathering birders.

(Marc Heath)

6th September

I cycled down to Grove Ferry after work tonight, just about making it as the heavens opened up for a while. I spent an hour looking from the ramp and hides and noted 3 Ruff, 3 Black tailed Godwit, 6 Grey Heron, 3 Common Tern, c85 Black headed Gull present, 12 Snipe, 10 Mute Swan, 2 Garganey from the Feast hide, 6 Green Sandpiper and 2 Little Egret. In the fields behind Harrisons hide there were 3 Whinchat and 3 Wheatear. Also 1 Spotted Redshank heard, 7 Cormorant, 1 Pochard, 1 Green Woodpecker, c54 Sand Martin with the odd Swallow and House Martin, c300 Greylag Geese, c270 Lapwing, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Marsh Harrier and good numbers of Teal, Mallard with a supporting cast of Gadwall and Shoveler.

(Marc Heath)

2nd September

I cycled down to Westbere lakes this morning before work and had 45 minutes looking for any migrants that may have dropped in. I abandoned my bike in Sue Morton's garden (thanks Sue) and noted the following birds: 2 Great spotted Woodpecker, 1 Jay, 4 Chiffchaff, 21 Great crested Grebe, 1 Green Woodpecker, 11 Long tailed Tit, 1 Little Egret, 10 Common Tern, 9 Mute Swan, 3 Cormorant and 3 Pochard. There were 2 Cetti's Warbler, 25 Tufted Duck, 1 Gadwall, 6 Mallard, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Sparrowhawk, 28 sand Martin, 3 Swallow and c100 Coot.

(Marc Heath)

1st September

I had a brief 30 minute walk around Westbere village this morning before work. Not alot to be seen but the following were noted: 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 6 Chiffchaff, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Jay, 10 Robin, 2 Great spotted Woodpecker, 1 Bullfinch, 4 Goldcrest, 1 House Martin, 1 Coal Tit, 2 Mistle Thrush and a few Blue and Great Tit with Chaffinch, Greenfinch and Goldfinch also noted.

(Marc Heath)