March sightings

Garganey - Martyn Wilson  ©

Sightings are seen by the following birders unless stated:

Brendan Ryan, Marc Heath, Norman McCanch, John Cantelo, Martyn Wilson, Dave Dowell, Derek Smith.

31st March

A brief visit to Grove this evening produced 3 Little Egret flying towards Seaton at dusk, 2 Pintail, 1 Bittern and 4 Ruddy Duck.

30th March

There were 2 male Penduline Tits today at Grove at 3.40pm as reported on the Planet Thanet website.

29th March

The highlight today was 2 Swallows that were passing through Grove and reminded me of the good weather and birds to come. Other birds at Grove included 13 Tufted Duck, 220 Teal, 83 Shoveler, 61 Gadwall, 2 Pintail, 1 drake Garganey from the Marsh Hide, 4 Shelduck, 3 Little Grebe, 6 Ruddy Duck, 5 Redshank, 1 Little Egret, 30+ Linnet, 8+ Cetti's Warbler, 7 Chiffchaff, 2 Marsh Harrier and 1 Sparrowhawk.

28th March

A few birders out in the valley today, Geoff Burton found the first Sedge Warbler of the year near Harrisons Drove hide and the first Swallow was seen at Westbere Lakes along with a few Sand Martin's. Other birds seen at Grove today included

5 Garganey - 4 drakes and 1 female, 1 Little Egret, 153 Teal, 16 Snipe, 11 Tufted Duck, 7 Pochard, 57 Mute Swans, 2 Water Pipit, 3 Marsh Harrier, 1 Sparrowhawk,

2 drake Pintail, 5 Ruddy Duck, 1 Curlew, 1 Green Sandpiper, several Chiffchaff's and a few Bearded Tits. Collard's produced a super Black Necked Grebe, 82 Tufted Duck, 2 Wigeon, 4 Goldeneye and 1 Common Buzzard.

27th March

A few braved the fog and rain today and the following birds were seen: 1 ring tail Hen Harrier, 2 Garganey, 2 drake Pintail, 1 Bittern, 2 Little Egrets, 4 Ruddy Duck. Chris Gibbard had 4 Water Pipit and a pair of Garganey from Harrisons Drove hide in the afternoon and at Collard's 46 Tufted Duck, 8 Goldeneye and a Saker type falcon were seen. There were 25/30 Sand Martins at Westbere Lakes throughout the morning.

26th March

The first Willow Warbler was seen and heard this morning  along the entrance track at Grove, others birds seen at Grove: 3 Sparrowhawk, 3 Marsh Harrier, 1 Peregrine, 2 Little Egret, 92 Teal, 18 Gadwall, 20 Tufted Duck, 1 Garganey, 75 Shoveler,

5 Redshank,1 Black Tailed Godwit, 4 Curlew, 2 Water Pipit, 7 Chiffchaff, 25 Linnet and 24 Golden Plover. A female Scaup was seen at Collard's along with 10 Goldeneye.

Tufted Duck - Marc Heath ©

25th March

The decent weather brought the birders out today and the following birds were seen at Grove:. 2 Common Buzzards, 6 Marsh Harrier (2 migrants),4 Sparrowhawk, 2 drake Pintail, 15 Tufted Duck, 8 Ruddy Duck, 22 Snipe, 1 Little Egret, 1 Bittern, 13 Black Tailed Godwit, 5 Sand Martin, 11 Redshank, 1 Ruff, 1 Garganey, 86 Mute Swans, 4+ Chiffchaff, 4 Curlew, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker and a pair of Garganey were reported from the ramp mid pm.

Collard's produced 12 Goldeneye including 3 drakes, 62 Tufted Duck and 1 Common Buzzard and at Stodmarsh 42 Tufted Duck, 24 Pochard and 6 Chiffchaff.

24th March

A very productive morning's birding at Grove today in between the showers, not many migrants about but the following birds were seen: 11 Cetti's Warbler, 35 Snipe, 92 Shoveler, 2 Ruddy Duck, 2 Pintail, 96 Teal, 1 drake Garganey, 1 Marsh Harrier, 6 Wigeon, 2 Curlew, 2 Bittern, 1 Little Egret, 11 Pochard, 17 Gadwall and later in the day 4 Garganey and the first Osprey reported this year at 5.55pm.

3 ringtail Hen Harrier were seen going to roost at Stodmarsh and 3 Bittern were seen at Dusk flying towards Grove.

21st March

A pair of Garganey were seen from the oxbow lake and the Spoonbill was still present from the ramp at Grove.

20th March

Birds seen at Grove today included 1 Spoonbill, 2 Bittern, 24 Tufted Duck, 9 Ruddy Duck, 9 Pintail - 5 male and 4 female, 10 pairs of Wigeon, 7 Water Pipit, 2 Black Tailed Godwit, 4 Curlew, 272 Teal, 3 Marsh Harrier and 4 Avocet and 3 Sand Martin reported.

Spoonbill - Martyn Wilson  ©

20th March

A walk around Grove included 1 Ringed Plover, 1 Hen Harrier and 8 Ruff.

19th March

A fantastic morning to be out birding at Grove/ Stodmarsh in lovely sunshine. A few locals were out in the area and between us the following were seen: 2 Garganey from the ramp 8 Curlew, 6 Redshank, 1 Ruff, 1 Black Tailed Godwit, 83 Shoveler, 7 Pintail, 7 Wigeon, 2 Little Egret, 3 Marsh Harrier, 1 Sparrowhawk, 16 Cettis's Warbler, 5 Bearded Tit, 1 female Bullfinch, 2 Water Pipit and 6 Skylark. The Spoonbill was seen again in the afternoon from the ramp at Grove.

17 th March

The highlight of a brief visit to grove at 4.15 was a superb adult Spoonbill that was showing well from the ramp. Other birds included: 4 Marsh Harriers, 2 male and 2 female, 3 Cetti's Warblers, 35 Shoveler, 1 Little Egret and 70+ Mute Swans.

16th March

A visit to Stodmarsh between 6 - 6.50pm produced the first Sand Martins of the year as 6 flew through towards Collards lake late afternoon. also seen were 4 Marsh Harriers, 1 male and 3 females, 2 Hen Harriers, 1 male and 1 ringtail,4 Fieldfare,1 Sparrowhawk, 3 Cetti's Warbler, 4 Water Rail and 1 Bittern flew over calling at 6.45pm.

14th March

The highlight today was a very early or over wintering Whinchat that was reported from Grove.

13th March

Birds seen today at Stodmarsh included 2 Chiffchaff, 4 Long Tailed Tit, 6 Cetti's Warbler, 4 Water Rail, 1 Goldcrest , 100 Cormorant, 1 female Marsh Harrier, 1 Little Egret, 5 Snipe, 2 Little Owl, 16 Curlew from the Marsh hide and 4 Fieldfare going to roost. Collards held 5 Goldeneye and 42 Tufted Duck and at Grove 1 Grey Wagtail, 7 Pintail, 1 Bittern, 10 Shelduck and 1 Water Pipit.

12th March

The first Garganey were reported as a pair were seen near Undertrees Farm and a brief walk around Grove this morning produced the following: 50+Teal ,

12 Shelduck, 19 Gadwall , 2 Pintail, 4 Snipe, 18 Shoveler, 60+ Lapwing, 1 Kingfisher, 2 Redshank.

Birds seen at dusk at Stodmarsh this evening included 4 Bittern and 2 Bewick Swans. Also 1 male and 4 Female Marsh Harrier into roost and 1 male and 1 ringtail harrier into roost. 1 Barn Owl also seen. Collards held 6 Goldeneye, 53 Tufted Duck, 22 Pintail and 2 Little Grebe and at Fordwich 22 Great Crested Grebe and 1 Corn Bunting.

5th March

Grove held 13 Shelduck, 25 Pintail, 1 Bittern and 1 Water Pipit. Westbere produced 21 Great Crested Grebes, 2 Little Egrets, 1 Chiffchaff, 19 Pochard and 14 Tufted Duck and at Collards 395 Shoveler and 4 Goldeneye.

4th March

A visit to Stodmarsh included 218 Cormorants, 7 Marsh Harriers, 3 Hen Harriers and 3 Water Pipit and at Westbere 24 Great Crested Grebes.