August Sightings

Sightings can be Emailed to:

      Martyn Wilson - martynwilson@talktalk.net

  Brendan Ryan -  brendan.ryan@yahoo.co.uk

  Marc Heath - Heathym007@aol.com   

Grove Ferry river trips visit here.

31st August

I arrived at Grove Ferry just after 5.30am and stood at the gate for a while where I met up with my dad for a walk around the reserve. We birded the Grove end and had a walk down to the water meadows. Birds noted in sunny conditions were 3 Robin, 6 Cetti's Warbler, 4 Grey Heron, c200 Greylag Geese, 11 Marsh Harrier, c20 Cormorant, 2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Kestrel, 4 Lesser Whitethroat, 105 Canada Geese, 3 Little Egret, 2 Curlew from the main pool, 6 Ruff, 1 Peregrine towards Pegwell with prey, 18 Mute Swan and 1 feamle Mandarin duck still from the ramp. There were 8 Wigeon, 11 Snipe, 9 Yellow Wagtail, 8 Pochard, 4 Green Sandpiper, 1 Black tailed Godwit, 2 Common Tern, 4 Chiffchaff, 1 Willow Warbler, 1 Garganey, 1 Sparrowhawk, 5 Whinchat viewed from Harrisons, 1 Greenshank, 2 Golden Plover, 10 Long tailed Tit, 1 Blackcap, 2 Whitethroat, 1 Turtle Dove, 1 Wood Sandpiper from the water meadows, 1 Dunlin, 2 Great spotted Woodpecker, 2 Jay, 1 Bullfinch, c200 Lapwing and a few Shoveler, Gadwall, Teal and Mallard. There were still a few Reed and Sedge Warblers seen around the reserve.

(Marc Heath)

25th August

With my car booked in at Perrys for a few hours, I took the opportunity to walk down through Westbere to the lakes and wander towards Fordwich. I spent 3 hours not getting that far but a few birds were seen including 2 Great spotted Woodpecker, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Goldcrest, 11 Chiffchaff, 2 Jay, 3 Swallow, 6 Robin, 7 Common Tern, 25 Great crested Grebe including good numbers of juvenile birds, 10 Cormorant, 4 Common Buzzard, 6 Tufted Duck, 1 Little Grebe, 14 Mute Swan, 1 Marsh Harrier and 1 Pochard. There were 3 Grey Heron, 3 Whinchat south of the river on fence posts, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Water Rail, 11 Goldfinch, 1 Pheasant, 1 Kingfisher heard, 17 Canada Geese, c150 Greylag Geese and 3 Treecreeper.

(Marc Heath)

23rd August

For once, the forecast was correct as I arrived at Grove Ferry this morning at 5.15am with a gale blowing and heavy rain pounding the car. I hastily made my way to the Feast hide where I spent some time and then a visit to Harrisons where I met Roger Lawrence who was also recovering from a soaking. The conditions looked good for some movement and a few bits were noted including 81 Sand Martin, 3 Grey Heron, 6 Green Sandpiper, 11 Mute Swan, 8 Little Egret, c200 Teal, 34 Yellow Wagtail, 35 Black headed Gull, 2 Little ringed Plover, 2 Greenshank, 1 flock of 50+ Common Tern flew south with 2 other local birds present, 3 Snipe, 98 Greylag Geese, 1 Sparrowhawk, c60 Canada Geese, 2 Black tailed Godwit, 1 Ruff, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Temminck's Stint still from Harrisons hide, c300 Lapwing, 7 Garganey and 1 Water Rail but no sign of the Spotted Crake from the Feast hide. I received a text from Martyn alerting me that he had found an Arctic Tern at Collards lake. I soon arrived and had distant views of the bird as it fed along with Common Terns. Martyn had also seen 2 Mediterranean Gulls, an adult and a 2nd summer bird which luckily he got me on to as it flew west.

(Marc Heath)

22nd August

I arrived at Grove Ferry this morning about 5.30am and made my way to the ramp where Martyn Wilson and Mark Chidwick were already in position. We were soon joined by Pete Solly and Steve Ray. Birds noted before I left at 8.30am for parental duties were 7 Marsh Harrier, 3 Greenshank, 1 Curlew from the main pool, 9 Green Sandpiper, 1 Wood Sandpiper, 1 Black tailed Godwit, 30 Canada Geese, c250 Greylag Geese, 1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Grey Heron, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Common Tern, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Water Rail and 3 Yellow Wagtail. There was a bonus in the form of a female Mandarin from the main pool which stayed for c20 minutes before presumably flying off with c300 Mallard and Teal, Gadwall and Shoveler. There was no sign of the Spotted Crake from the Feast hide in a 45 minute look but other bits were 1 Kestrel, 4 Little Egret, 21 Black headed Gull present with a steady stream of mainly Herring Gull west down the valley. Also 2 Mute Swan, 7 Garganey, 3 Snipe, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 female Pintail from the ramp, 5 Goldfinch, 1 Great spotted Woodpecker, 1 Bearded Tit, 1 Swallow and c20 Sand Martin. I later received a couple of texts from Martyn alerting me to the Temmincks Stint which was from Harrisons hide and 3+ Whinchat along middle drove. Hopefully they will hang around!

(Marc Heath)

18th August

I arrived at a quiet Grove Ferry this morning just before 5.30am, most birds have stopped singing in the mornings now, either that or they were not awake when I arrived! I walked the Grove end of the reserve with a visit to the water meadows as well. Birds noted today were 8 Green Sandpiper, 3 Greenshank, 4 Ruff, 37 Canada Geese, 5 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Redshank, 2 Marsh Harrier and 3 Grey Heron. I had only just arrived at the Feast hide at 5.50am when one of the first birds seen was the Spotted Crake which favoured her its usual place in the left hand corner. I was soon joined by Dylan who also connected with the bird and had good views. On returning to the hide later at 7.55am, Steve Ashton was watching the Crake which showed again for c10 minutes allowing me to attempt a poor digiscoped image of the bird. Other bits were 4 Water Rail, 7 Garganey, 1 Black tailed Godwit, 2 Tufted Duck, 4 Linnet, 5 Chiffchaff, 3 Willow Warbler, c30 Long tailed Tit in one flock, 2 Snipe, 2 Great spotted Woodpecker, 1 Hobby, 2 Yellow Wagtail, c30 Sand Martin, 1 Turtle Dove, 4 Little Egret, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Spotted Redshank, c250 Greylag Geese dropped in to the main pool, c200 Teal,  growing numbers of Mallard, Gadwall, Shoveler, 3 Lesser Whitethroat and a few Sedge and Reed Warbler noted.

(Marc Heath)

17th August

I drove over to Grove Ferry this morning at 5.30am, seeing a Barn Owl hunting at Nethergong. I made my way to the ramp in cloudy conditions with occasional rain and was soon joined by Phil Parker where we had a walk around some of the reserve but most of the time was spent in the Feast hide because of the rain. This worked out well though as at 6.50am, the Spotted Crake appeared and showed well in the open from the left hand corner of the pool. We saw it again at 8.45am where again it showed well in th open briefly allowing a few record shots in the poor light. Also noted today were 1 Bullfinch, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Green Woodpecker, 2 Hobby, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Greenshank, 37 Canada Geese, c50 Greylag Geese, 3 Little Egret, 8 Green Sandpiper, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Dunlin and 7 Garganey. There were 3 Water Rail, 1 Black tailed Godwit, 1 Jay, 2 Marsh Harrier, 5 Common Tern including 4 juveniles, 2 Great spotted Woodpecker, 1 Spotted Redshank, 4 Snipe, 3 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Bearded Tit, c30 Sand Martin, 2 Willow Warbler, 2 Skylark, 1 Sparrowhawk, c80 Teal and Mallard, Gadwall and Shoveler also noted. There were a number of Sedge Warblers still around the reserve.

(Marc Heath)

15th August

The first Temminck's Stint of the year was seen from the ramp today although it could be elusive at times and the Spotted Crake continues to show at times from the Feast hide.

13th August

A brief trip was made to Grove Ferry this morning at 7.15am for am hour or so. Most time was spent in the Feast hide with a look from the ramp on the way out. Birds noted were 7 Green Sandpiper, 10 Garganey (4 from the Feast hide and 6 from the ramp). Also c30 Sand Martin, 6 Little Egret, 1 Ruff with Brendan noting 4 more at the water meadow along with 1 Wood Sandpiper. There were 2 Water Rail, 1 Marsh Harrier, 2 Greenshank, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Snipe, c200 Greylag Geese and growing numbers of Teal, Shoveler, Mallard and Gadwall. During my time in the hide there was no sign of the Crake but not long after I left the Spotted Crake was seen again although it has been elusive at times. I also found out this morning from another birder that a 2nd Spotted Crake has been seen in the last few days from the reedbed hide at Stodmarsh.

(Marc Heath)

12th August

The Spotted Crake continues to show from the Feast hide in the far left hand corner of the pool although it can be elusive at times.

11th August

The Spotted Crake continues to show from the Feast hide in the far left hand corner of the pool although it can be elusive at times.

10th August

With the prospect of rain for most of the morning, I arrived at Grove Ferry at 5.30am for an early session. I birded the area for 3 hours noting the following in cloudy conditions. 11 Canada Geese, 1 Marsh Harrier, 3 Green Woodpecker, 18 Green Sandpiper, 5 Ruff, 5 Black tailed Godwit, 1 Wood Sandpiper from the ramp, 2 Greenshank, 4 Cetti's Warbler and 2 Little Egret. A look in the Feast hide was rewarding with a Spotted Crake which showed well in the far left hand corner of the pool from 5.55 - 6.05am. Good scope views were had but with the low light conditions, a photo was not on the cards. Texts were sent out to the locals and while I was at the water Meadows, Brendan arrived and duly refound the Crake which showed again just before 7am in the same area. Brendan managed a distant record shot of the bird but hopefully, in better light conditions, some other photos of the bird will be taken. Other birds seen were 3 Water Rail, c60 Lapwing, 8 Garganey from the ramp, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Hobby, c50 Sand Martin, 7 Snipe, 2 juvenile Little ringed Plover, 1 Peregrine, 26 Black headed Gull present along with 1 Common Gull, 1 Turtle Dove and a few Teal, Shoveler, Gadwall and Greylag Geese from the ramp.

(Marc Heath)

9th August

While the car was having a service at a garage in Upstreet, I made good use of my time and paid a visit to Grove Ferry at 8.15am where I spent a few hours walking around the reserve. Birds noted today in sunny conditions were 5 Green Woodpecker, 2 Great spotted Woodpecker, 2 Chiffchaff, 7 Whitethroat, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Greenshank, 12 Green Sandpiper, 3 Yellow Wagtail, 3 Cetti's Warbler, 8 Garganey from the ramp, 5 Ruff, 15 Canada Geese along with c250 Greylag Geese and 12 Snipe. It's not that often you get very close to a bird at Grove so I was surprised when at Harrisons that a Wheatear landed on one of the screens a few metres away. It stayed long enough for me to enjoy the experience and get some decent shots. Other birds seen included 3 Marsh Harrier including one individual with a blue tag on the right wing and white on the left wing. Possibly a Sheppey bird? Other bits were 4 Grey Heron, 6 Black tailed Godwit, 1 Kestrel, 8 Little Egret, 47 Black headed Gull present, 2 Turtle Dove, 4 Water Rail and 1 Common Tern. Whilst walking near the Oxbow lake, a bird flew across the river and landed briefly in a dead tree. I got on to it quickly to see a Spotted Flycatcher which quickly vanished as quick as it appeared. I could not relocate it in the area but on the way back from the water meadows, It was seen again on the northern side of the train track in a dead tree where I watched it for c15 minutes flycatching. This is my first one since 28th July 2007 and they continue to be a scarce bird in the valley. There was 1 more Wheatear, 7 Willow Warbler, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 juvenile Little ringed Plover, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Redshank, c50 Lapwing, Shoveler, Gadwall, Teal and Mallard from the ramp and still quite a few Reed and Sedge Warblers seen and heard around the reserve. The White house held a few House Martin and Swallows and Swallows were again numerous along the river feeding high up.

(Marc Heath)

4th August

I was dropped off at Grove Ferry this morning at 10am where I spent 4 hours wandering around Grove with a walk also down to the water meadows. As I looked from the ramp, I could see Natural England working from the feast hide, a pleasant site to see. Further scrunity of the area revealed that it has indeed been cut and alot of weed pulled out hopefully allowing the wildlife to come back into the area, I hope this continues. Birds noted this morning were 11 Little Egret, 3 Garganey from the ramp, 4 Black tailed Godwit, 5 Turtle Dove, 8 Chiffchaff, 1 Blackcap, 2 Green Woodpecker, 2 Common Tern, 20 Green Sandpiper, 3 Ruff, 3 Grey Heron, 4 Marsh Harrier, c300 Lapwing, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Hobby, 1 Kestrel and 1 Garden Warbler. There were 2 Great spotted Woodpecker, 1 Willow Warbler, 2 Whitethroat, 7 Snipe, 3 juvenile Little ringed Plover, 1 Jay, 3 Water Rail, 1 Wood Sandpiper from the ramp, 3 Greenshank, c250 Greylag Geese, 1 Bearded Tit and good numbers of moulting Mallards. The water level seems to be dropping nicely at last creating some muddy fringes around the pools. Hopefully some good waders will drop in in the next few days!

(Marc Heath)

3rd August

I arrived at a foggy Grove Ferry this morning at 5am. The mornings are slowly getting darker now and with virtually no visability I made my way up to the ramp to hopefully hear some birds. Luckily by 6.15am the sun was out and it soon burnt away. Birds noted around Grove this morning were 2 Hobby at 5.10 hunting over the reeds, 3 Green Woodpecker, 25 Green Sandpiper, 4 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Blackcap, 2 Turtle Dove, 4 Grey Heron, 3 Greenshank with 2 flying off north, c5000 Starling out of roost, 3 Marsh Harrier, 5 Common Tern, 3 Water Rail, 5 Willow Warbler, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 13 Snipe, 5 Chiffchaff and 2 Ruff. There were 6 Little Egret, 1 Great spotted Woodpecker, 2 Bullfinch, 1 Jay, 2 Skylark, 5 Meadow Pipit, 1 Kestrel, 3 Black tailed Godwit, 4 juvenile Little ringed Plover seen by Sue Morton from the ramp, 4 Garganey, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Corn Bunting north, c200 Greylag Geese, c100 Lapwing and a good scattering of Reed and Sedge Warbler.

The right hand pool at Grove has had many good birds in the past on it including Marsh Sandpiper, White rumped Sandpiper and Spotted Crake to name a few. However as can be seen from the photo, its nearly gone now and this time next year, unless something is done about it, will add itself to the ever growing reedbed.

(Marc Heath)

2nd August

I was dropped off at Grove Ferry this morning at 10.15am where I walked the Grove circuit for a few hours and met up with Steve Ray in the Green hide. Birds noted this morning were 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 5 Whitethroat, 5 Marsh Harrier, 3 Green Woodpecker, 2 Common Tern, 2 Blackcap, 11 Little Egret, 4 Black tailed Godwit, 2 Ruff, 20 Green Sandpiper although more probably around but hard to see in the overgrown reedbeds, 1 Wood Sandpiper from the ramp, c250 Greylag Geese and 3 Grey Heron. There were 2 Bearded Tit, 1 Kingfisher, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 6 Turtle Dove, 2 Hobby, 2 Great spotted Woodpecker, 1 Dunlin, 4 juvenile Little ringed Plover, 4 Snipe, 1 Kestrel and a few Reed and Sedge Warblers seen.

As mentioned the reserve is overgrown in many places. Below is a photo of the main pool back in 2005 and again today. What a difference!! Many birds go unnoticed and it won't be long until its completely gone! More to come in the next few days.

1st August

Two Hobbies past over the extensive reed bed in the early hours while 2 eclipse Garganey were seen from the ramp with many other eclipse duck species. There were quite a few Green sandpipers but counting was hampered by fresh growth of a wide stretch of reed on the main pool. There used to be a pool on the right of the ramp but, sadly no longer visible. Elation was soon suppressed as although green hide vegetation has been cut there was no birds except the above Little Egret, 3 Coots and 6 Swans, even the long legs of the egret couldn’t wade around in the depth of yet another ever decreasing pool. A juvenile hepatic Cuckoo was seen being fed by a weary Reed Warbler along the rivers edge near the water meadow and 9 Green Sandpipers were on the meadows. It was nice to see two undisturbed, unmolested, untagged juvenile Marsh Harriers but as well as a couple of adults there were 2 red tagged youngsters. Harrison’s Drove drew a blank  with plenty of reeds obscuring any view of a distant patch of water, oh and a couple of Bearded Tits (yes one or two still about) were heard. What a wonderful day……..