September Sightings

Birding at Grove between 7.30 - 11.00am produced 2 Marsh Harriers (female & immature), 2 Cetti's Warblers, 350 Lapwings, 86 Golden Plover (before they left), 8 Bearded Tits, 3 Snipe, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Stock Dove, 3 Little Egrets, 1 Little Grebe, 2 Stonechats, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 female Sparrowhawk, 2 Greenshanks, 1 Garganey, 1 Common Gull, 2 Wigeon, 200? Teal, 1 Pied Wagtail, 2 Ruff, 4 Pintail, 35 Black Headed Gulls and the immature Shelduck plus a steady stream of Sand Martins & Swallows moving west with a few House Martins with them.

Birding at Grove today between7.17am & 1.15pm:- 1 Jay, 3 Little Egrets, 7 Ruff, 1 Little Grebe, 1200 Lapwings, 61 Black Headed Gulls, 4 Marsh Harriers (imm, 2 female & a sub-ad Male), 2 Cetti's Warblers, 7 Pintail, 2 Wigeon, imm Shelduck, 151 Golden Plover, 2 Water Rail, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Stonechats, 3 Stock Doves, 9 Snipe, 40 Bearded Tits, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Kestrel, 1 female +2 other Sparrowhawks, 1 Peregrine Falcon, 1 Dunlin, 1200-1400 Teal, 3 Garganey, 3 Grey Herons, 1 Merlin and 1 Hobby plus House Martin flock with a sprinkle of Sand Martins and the odd Swallow.

Birds seen today at Collards lake included 18 Tufted Duck, 4 Pochard, 38 Wigeon, 13 Great Crested Grebe, 85 Stock Dove and 2 Marsh Harrier.

Still quiet at Grove 7.15am-12.00pm:- 135 Golden Plover, 2 Dunlin, 1000 Lapwings, 1200 Teal, 1 imm Shelduck, 4 Cetti's, 37 BH Gulls, 7 Pitail, 9 Snipe, 3 Grey Heron, 2 Stonechat, 1 Green Sandpiper, 5 Ruff, 1 Sedge Warbler, 44 Bearded Tits, 3 Marsh Harriers, 2 Sparrowhawks, 2 Stock Doves, 1 White Wagtail, 1 Peregrine, 2 Kestrels, 5 Hobbies, 3 Little Egrets, 4 Garganey, 2 Wigeon, 1 Little Grebe and a sprinkling of House Martins with the odd Swallow & Sand Martin.

Grove Ferry today between 7.15am & 1.00pm with things still fairly quiet:- 5 Little Egrets, 40 Golden Plovers, 3 Little Grebes, 6 Pintail, 900 Teal, 1000 Lapwings, 1 Immature Shelduck, 2 Ruff, 3 Wigeon, 23 Bearded Tits, 9 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Kingfisher, 3 Marsh Harriers (2 females & a sub-ad Male), 1 Pied Wagtail, 1 Sparrowhawk, 16 Snipe, 2 Kestrels, 1 Reed Warbler, 2 Stonechats, 2 Stock Doves, 7 Grey Herons, 2 Garganey, 1 Green Sandpiper, 2 Green Woodpeckers, 1 Jay, 6 Canada Geese, 1 Chiffchaff, 3 Hobbies, 10 Long Tailed Tits, 30 Black Headed Gulls and 1 Water Rail. Still a fair few House Martins with Swallows & Sand Martins with them and still many Blue Tits.

(Martyn Wilson)

Birding at Grove today between 7.00 & 11.00am was fairly quiet, seen and heard were:- 2 Ruff, at least 1000 Lapwings, 4 Cetti's Warblers, 800+ Teal, 9 Snipe, 2 Kingfishers, 105 Black Headed Gulls, 3 Kestrels, 7 Cormorants, 5 Meadow Pipits, 1 Little Egret, 116 Golden Plover, 1 Peregrine, 2 Sparrowhawks, 17 Bearded Tits, 1 Green Sandpiper, 3 Stock Doves, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Common Gull, 5 Pintail, 1 immature Shelduck and 3 Wigeon. Still a large gathering of House Martins with a few Sand Martin & Swallows with them, also still many Blue Tits, Reed Buntings and Goldfinches.

Birds seen and heard at Grove Ferry between 5.45 & 11.30am today:- 2 Cetti's Warblers, 900+ Lapwings, 3 Marsh Harriers, 1 Pochard, 1 Tufted Duck, 4 Pintail, 3 Wigeon, 850+ Teal, 25 Cormorants, 2 Little Grebes, 2 Little Egrets, 5 Ruff, 17 Snipe, 25 Jackdaws (4 on telephone wires 21 flew over north east), 2 Yellow Wagtails, 1 immature Shelduck, 2 Grey Herons, 1 Stock Dove, 40+ Bearded Tits, 25 Black Headed Gulls, 1 Green & 1 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 14 Siskins, possibly the Temmincks Stint in flight only (not calling!), 3 Blackcaps, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Chiffchaff, 62 Golden Plovers, 2 Green Sandpipers, 1 Kestrel, 6+ Meadow Pipits, 1 Grey Wagtail, 400 Greylag 16 Canada & 1 hybrid Geese. A large flock of hirrundines, mainly House Martins with half a dozen or so Swallows + the odd Sand Martin. Many Blue Tits on show today as well as 6+ Song Thrushes and several Greenfinch & Goldfinches and Reed Buntings. Also 2 Kingfishers reported from the Green Hide.

Grove Ferry birding between 6.00am & 2.00pm today produced:- 3 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Water Rail, 4 Marsh Harriers (male, female & 2 juveniles), 1 Little Egret, 2 immature Shelducks, 5 Pintail, 8 Wigeon, 900+ Teal, 5 Ruff, 5 Garganey, 1 Wood Sandpiper, 3 Green Sandpipers, 2 Little Grebes, 2 Sedge Warblers, 106 Black Headed Gulls, 1 Tufted Duck, 2 Grey Herons, 40+ Bearded Tits, 21 Snipe, 4+ Sparrowhawks, 1 Peregrine Falcon, 8+ Meadow Pipits, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Stonechat, 5 Kestrels, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 1 Bittern, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Green Woodpecker, 18 Golden Plovers, 1 Wheatear, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Temmincks Stint, 1 Common Gull, 2 Hobbies and 1 Jay. Also a few hirrundines passing through, mainly Swallows with some Sand Martins, plus Blue tit, Greenfinch & Goldfinch still in good numbers.

Birding at Grove late PM produced :1 Canada Goose, 3+ Marsh Harrier, 2 Sparrowhawk, 1 Hobby, 1 Peregrine, 1 Temmincks Stint from Harrisons Drove hide, 2 ad Ruff, 4 Green Sandpiper and 1 Wood Sandpiper from the Ramp
(Ian Harding)

In the continuing absence of a car, I had a certain feeling of "deja vu" catching the bus out to Upstreet this morning. Grove was quite lively with bunches of Bearded Tits very much in evidence (50+), good numbers of Lapwing (c800), at least 32 Snipe, a Ruff, 18 Golden Plover and 1 Temminck's Stint (Harrison Drove Hide). A mixed flock of 300+ hirundines seemed to be mainly House Martins. (Two Black Tern were reported at the Stodmarsh end, but I didn't see 'em). The whole lot were 'bounced' by a fine Peregrine causing much confusion.
(John Cantelo)

Birds seen late afternoon today in pleasant sunshine included: 1 Hobby, 2 Kingfisher, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 5 Cetti's Warbler, 122 Greylag Geese, 400+ Teal, 12 Wigeon, 1 Little Grebe, 1 Ruff, 500+ House Martin circling all afternoon, 2 Swallow, 33 Snipe, 5 Pintail, 8 Siskin NW over the ramp at 3.20pm, 12 Black Headed Gull, 2 Little Egret, 2 juvenile Shelduck, 4 Grey Heron, 2 Green Sandpiper, 1 Temmincks Stint showing very well from Harrisons Drove hide, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Stock Dove, 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Water Rail calling, 1 Blackcap and 2 Chiffchaff.

Birds seen tonight at Grove between 1645-1745 included 2000+ Teal, 3+ Marsh Harrier, 1 ring tail Hen Harrier, 2+ Sparrowhawk, 1000+ Lapwing, 1 Temmincks Stint, 1 Dunlin, 2 juv 13+ ad Ruff, 50+ Snipe, 5 Green Sandpiper, 50+ Sand Martin circling, 50+ Swallow circling, 200+ House Martin circling and 1 Yellow Wagtail.

The following species were also reported from Grove Ferry today: 1 Wood Sandpiper, 2 Pink Footed Geese and 8+ Green Sandpiper.

Between 6.00am & 2.00pm at Grove today started with 2 Bats flying around the entrance path and the sound of a Tawny Owl calling, also a Pectoral Sandpiper between 6.00 & 6.30 only plus:- 5 Marsh Harriers (2 males, 2 juveniles & 1 female), 3 Cetti's Warblers, 900+ Lapwings, 14 Ruff, 1 Little Egret, 2 Black Terns (juveniles), 3 immature Shelducks, 1 Little Grebe, 3 Kestrels, 7 Pintails (2 drakes), 6 Grey Herons, 2 Golden Plovers, 3 Green Sandpipers, 1 Sedge Warbler, 16+ Snipe, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Kingfisher, 30+ Bearded Tits, 1400+ Greylag, 46 Canada & 4 hybrid Geese, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Wheatear, a pair of Sparrowhawks, 1 Spotted Crake, 1 Stonechat, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Whinchat, 6+ Meadow Pipits, 2 Stock Doves 1 Green Woodpecker, 4 Hobbies, 2 Black Tailed Godwits, 2 Jackdaws, 25 Wigeon, 800+ Teal, 100+ House Martins, 46 Sand Martins & 25+ Swallows, 1 Water Rail, 1 Honey Buzzard south west over Stodmarsh 12.25-12.35, 27 Black Headed Gulls, 2+ Garganey (1 eclipse drake), and a Bittern.

Birding at Grove today between 6.00am & 2.00pm produced the following:- 2 juvenile Black Terns, 5 Marsh Harriers (1 female, 2 juveniles & 2 males), 5 Ruff, 2 juvenile Shelducks, 1 Little Grebe, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 600+ Teal, 800+ Lapwings, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Sedge Warblers, 2 Grey Herons, 18 Snipe, 13+ Meadow Pipits, 1 Whinchat, 1 Wheatear, 20+ Swallows & 100+ Sand & House Martins, 1100+ Greylag, 40 Canada & 1 hybrid Goose, 18 Cormorants, 1 Water Rail, 3 Kestrels, 1 Spotted Redshank, 30+ Bearded Tits, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Little Egret, 2 Sparrowhawks (male & female), 1 Common Buzzard, 3 Stock Doves, 2 Lesser Black Backed Gulls, 97 Black Headed Gulls, 1 Dunlin, 19 Pink Footed Geese, 22 Wigeon, 1 Pintail, 1 Kingfisher, 2 Common Gulls, 1 Garganey, 26 Golden Plover, 1 Peregrine and 1 Hobby. There was also an odd looking Pipit with the Meadows, probably just another Meadow but have a look and any comments would be appreciated.

I got out to Grove this morning and, although the birding was rather undistinguished - 4 Ruff, c10 Snipe, 18 Golden Plover, 800+ Lapwing, 54 Wigeon, 600+ Teal, 4 Pintail (plus uncounted numbers of Gadwall & Shoveller), 1 Yellow Wagtail, Bearded Tits - there was one major highlight. This was the splendid improvements in front of the Harrison's Drove Hide. Where there had been rough scraggy grass there's now a small irregularly shaped 'frying pan' scrape. In theory this should bring the waders, pipits, wagtails, etc much closer - unfortunately only a single Snipe availed itself of the opportunity! I gather it wasn't there on Saturday and the paint markings for the digger to follow are still evident so it's still very early days yet. Well done English Nature and David Feast for their efforts.
(John Cantelo)

Birding at Grove late AM produced: 500+ Greylag, 30+ Canada Geese, 1 Hobby, 5 Golden Plover, 500+ Lapwing, 5 Ruff, 5 Yellow Wagtail,1 Wheatear on Ramp and c1000 Starling hawking.

A Very quick visit to the ramp at Grove produced: 1 ring tail Hen Harrier, 21 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Ruff, 1 Garganey, 3 Pochard and 24 Wigeon.
(Brendan Ryan)

Another good day at Grove between 6.45am & 1.30pm:- 1 male Marsh Harrier, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 40 Wigeon, 7 Ruff, 24 Snipe, 3 Tufted Ducks, 1 juvenile Shelduck, 1 Common Sandpiper, 900+ Lapwings, 1100+ Greylags, 25 Canada & 4 hybrid Geese, 17 Cormorants, 500+ Teal, 3 Green Sandpipers, 3 Black Tailed Godwits, 17 Swallows, 1 Pheasant, 1 Sand Martin, 2 Pied Wagtails, 1 Spotted Crake, 2 Little Grebes, 3 Pintail, 7 Garganey, 2 Little Stints, 59 Black Headed Gulls, 2 Grey Herons, 1 Little Egret, 21 Golden Plovers, 3 Curlew Sandpipers, 9 Herring Gulls, 2 Common Gulls, 1 Water Rail, 1 Kestrel and 1 Stock Dove. Still many Bearded Tits & Mallards, Gadwall & Shoveler numbers increasing and still large numbers of Goldfinch but more spread out.

Grove Ferry between 6.20am & 2.15pm. A good day at Grove today with the Spotted Crake showing well 8.30-10.00 at least, also seen today:- 4 Cetti's Warblers, 5 Ruff, 16 Snipe, 500+ Teal, 840+ Lapwings, 1 Little Grebe, 2 Pochard, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Water Rail, 2 juvenile Shelducks, 6 Green Sandpipers, 4 Yellow Wagtails the male Blue Headed still at Harrison's Hide, several Bearded Tits 1 Common Sandpiper, 1100+ Greylag, 48 Canada & 6 hybrid Geese, 5 Black Tailed Godwits, 24 Wigeon, 2 Pintail, 35 Black Headed Gulls, 1 Whitethroat, 3 Curlew Sandpipers, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1000+ Starlings, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker & the resident Green Woodpecker, 2 Wood Sandpipers, 1 Water Pipit, 4 Garganey (1 eclipse drake), 16 House Martins,1 Golden Plover and 25 Linnets.

A breif visit to Grove this morning produced 2 Curlew Sandpiper, 3 Green Sandpiper and 2 Ruff.

Birds seen today at Grove between 10 - 12 included 3 Green Woodpecker, 10+ Swallow, 40+ House Martin, 1 Green Sandpiper, 6 Ruff, 5+ Snipe, 226 Greylag Geese, 5 Wigeon, 28 Golden Plover, 24 Canada Geese, 4 Hybrid Geese, 10 Black Headed Gull, 1 Common Gull, 300+ Teal, 4 Cormorant, 2 Little Grebe, 3 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Kestrel, 600+ Lapwing, 2 juvenile Shelduck, 12 Mute Swan, 3 Cetti's Warbler, 3 Stock Dove, 1 Chiffchaff, good numbers of Bearded Tits, a few Blue and Great Tits and 3 Reed Warbler.

Sightings at Grove mid-afternoon included among 100s of Mallard, Teal, Lapwing and Greylags - 7 Yellow Wagtails, 1 Little Egret, 1 Little Grebe, 1 Ruff, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Whitethroat, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 3 Snipe, 1 Kestrel and a few of each of Gadwall, Wigeon, Shoveler and Tufted Duck.

Birds seen today between 5.45 & 11.30:- 5 Cetti's Warblers, 3 Water Rails, 1 juvenile Marsh Harrier, 25 Canada Geese, 72 Golden Plover, 18 Cormorants, 2 Little Grebes, 1 Bar Headed Goose, 1 Common Sandpiper, 4 Yellow Wagtails (1 Blue Head), 7 Snipe, 350+ Teal, 2 Little Egrets, 16 Wigeon, 3 Ruff, 1 Tufted Duck, 3 Pintail, 1100+ Greylag & 4 hybrid Geese, 12+ Meadow Pipits, 3 Whitethroats, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Swallows, 3 Stock Doves, 1 Kestrel, a pair of Blackcaps, 1 Bittern, 3 Green Sandpipers, 1 Turtle Dove, 1 Hobby, 1 Pochard, 1 Kingfisher 2 Grey Herons and 28 Black Headed Gulls. Many Bearded Tits showing well today,a large number of House Martins high over the reserve & 2 of each Reed & Sedge Warblers seen. Still also high numbers of Mallard, Gadwall & Shoveler.

Birds seen at Grove Ferry today: 2 Little Stints. This morning Garden Warbler, Wren, Green Woodpecker, numerous Blue Tits along the entrance path, Blue headed Wagtail at Harisons Hide, Kingfishers on the posts at turf hide, perched on both poles allowing photos to be taken.this evening. 4 Wigeon from the ramp, 2 Common Sandpipers from Harrisons and 2 Hobbies as we left in dusky light. There were 30 + Yellow Wagtails in amongst the cattle on the entrance to the reserve this evening.

Birding at Grove today between 5.45am & 12.30pm produced:- 2 Kingfishers, 4 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Water Rails, 4 Green Sandpipers, 43 Yellow Wagtails including a cracking male Blue Headed at Harrison's Hide, 4 Grey Herons, 600+ Lapwings, 34+ Canada Geese, 1 Little Egret, and 3 Ruff, only a handful of Reed & Sedge Warblers with 4 Reed & 2 Sedge seen, still many Bearded Tits ,with small parties darting over the reeds, 11 Snipe, 4 Bar Headed Geese, 21 Golden Plovers, 1 juvenile Shelduck, 300+ Teal, 1 juvenile Marsh Harrier, 3 Turtle Doves, 1 Little Stint, 1 Dunlin, 1 Sock Dove, the adult Spotted Crake still & showing well from Harrison's hide between 8.25-8.40 this morning, 1 Whitethroat, 49 Black Headed Gulls, 700+ Greylags, 3 Canada hybrids, 1 Willow Warbler and the resident Green Woodpecker still also still a large number of Blue Tits & Reed Buntings.

Had a quiet hour and a half at Grove from 7am. Few waders, just single Green Sandpiper, single Dunlin and single Black-tailed Godwit. There was a Whinchat along the main path and the Blue-headed Wagtail is still in front of Harrison's Drove hide. Also a Peregrine that buzzed the pools at Harrison's Drove, then headed off east.