maysightings2009

Pretty much a repeat of yesterday with the same four observers. Making the note book were, 7 Turtle Doves, 3 Cuckoo's, 4 Avocets (although 2 flew off high north at 4.39am), 14 Gadwall, 8 Tufted Ducks, 1 drake Pochard, 1 drake Wigeon, 1 drake Garganey and the Shelducks have lost a junior over night (5 ducklings now).Reed Warblers and Sedge Warblers along with Cetti's Warbler all in fine voice as well as Garden Warbler, Blackcap and Chiffchaff also noted on a walk around the whole circuit today. There were, 4 Redshanks, 1 Kingfisher, 5 Grey Herons, 3 Little Egrets, 1 Pied Wagtail, 1 Green Woodpecker, 6 Marsh Harriers, 3 Little-ringed Plovers, 5 Ringed Plovers, 1 Greenshank and 8 Canada Geese. Skylark and Meadow Pipit ever present behind Harrison's while the male Bittern was in fine voice near marsh hide once again. There were 18 Common Terns, many Swifts and Sand Martins, 1 House Martin, 5 Swallows, 5 Great-crested Grebes, 2 Jays and Dylan Wrathall had an Oystercatcher from the ramp early morning. Other bits included a few Common Whitethroats, 2 Hobbies, 1 Dunlin and a very rare sight these days, 2, yes TWO, Bearded Tits.

A brief look at the ramp and Harrisons at Grove Ferry this morning produced 1 Oystercatcher on the main pool which flew off west at 6.11am, also 1 Ringed Plover, 1 Little ringed Plover, 1 Dunlin, 2 Shelduck with 5 young, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Water Rail, 37 Mallard, 13 Tufted Duck, 1 drake Wigeon, 20 Gadwall, 4 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Cuckoo and 1 Turtle Dove. There were 2 Shoveler, 2 Teal, 2 Pochard, 2 Common Tern, 2 Marsh Harrier, 2 Redshank, 2 Garganey and like Martyn, I encountered 2 juvenile Bearded Tits, evidence that breeding has taken place and they are still around.

(Marc Heath)

21 hobbies at Collard’s was the highlight of my time spent in the valley over the weekend. Nigel Jarman has tracked down detailed of the colour ringed Black-tailed Godwit that was a Grove in recent weeks. It was ringed as a juvenile on the Orwell estuary in Suffolk on 18th October 2008 and has subsequently been seen at three different sites in Suffolk/Essex over the winter and was first recorded at Grove on 20th May

Another weekend started in the valley with Alan and I meeting with Mark Chidwick on the ramp at 4.00am where since the departure of the Pratincole the reserve has returned to it's more quiet sedate place of ornithological gratification. We recorded 2 Tawny Owls, 3 Cuckoo's a handsome drake Wigeon on the main pool a Shelduck with 6 fresh from the egg fluffy ducklings, 10 Tufted Ducks, 14 Gadwall, 2 Little Egrets, 1 Dunlin and several Reed and Sedge Warblers. A Hobby flew east at 4.30am and 3 Kestrels were present. A couple of early morning Swallows at least 7 Grey Herons, 5 Common Terns, 6 vocal Cetti's Warblers a drake Pochard and 2 Turtle Doves were also noted. We moved on to Harrison stopping for a quick look in the Feast hide noting, 1 Great-crested Grebe 2 more Pochard (1 drake) and a Kingfisher. At Harrison's we saw the first of 7 Marsh Harriers, 2 Redshank, 1 Green Sandpiper, 2 more Shelduck, Skylarks and Meadow Pipits and 4 Lapwings. Pete Solly also joined us here. Onwards to Marsh hide where 3 more Little Egrets were seen, the male Bittern was in fine voice, 3 more Turtle Doves and the greylag family were in fine fettle. Not much else bird wise but a nice showy Grass Snake that must have been 2.5-3ft long was a welcome bonus. Back to the ramp via the river adding only Sparrowhawk and many of the commoner birds including Blue & Great Tits, Blackbird, Song Thrush and many Woodpigeons. Once on the ramp it was immediatly obvious some waders had dropped in and as I started counting the Ringed Plovers I noticed a taller grey bird with some faint barring across the chest. There were 9 Ringed Plovers 4 Little-ringed Plovers, 1 Dunlin and a Stilt Sandpiper, this being the taller grey bird in a weird plumage suggestive of half moulted juvenile-adult plumage? Unfortunately the Sandpiper as well as the Plovers decided not to stay and flew of at 8.28 after only 90 seconds, maybe two minutes of watching. They all flew of to the south east and lost to view, the Sandpipers white rump showing quite well. This bird may have been present from 7.00am, as another birder had seen it at that time, but not id'd it. Other bits noted from the ramp were 2 Common Sandpipers, 1 drake Garganey, the 4 Avocets still and the immature White-fronted Goose. Several thousnd Swifts were feeding low over green hide pool as were several hundred Sand Martins, only a few Swallows seen and the only House martins were 2 over 'Tit's house. Only 2 more Hobby were seen all day.

A short visit to the ramp and Harrison’s Drove before work. Nothing, too exciting to report with 2 Garganey, 3 Little Egrets, 2 LRP, one Ringed Plover and 2 Redshank.

I was again dropped off at Grove Ferry at 10.45am in the rain and wind where I spent 4 hours, mainly in the hides with a few excursions out and about in the rain. The highlight was probably the last bird of the day, a Red Kite that I picked up at 2.30pm flying low west behind the back pools. The Kite soon was lost behind the trees before it reappeared 5 minutes later and slowly flew high east towards Pegwell. I had already met a couple of birders who had seen 2 Red Kites mid morning flying west over Stodmarsh towards Canterbury, a good Kite day. Other birds noted were 1 Ringed Plover, 1 Garganey, 2 Dunlin, 52 Mallard, 2 Pochard, 27 Gadwall, 3 Tufted Duck, 2 Shelduck, 3 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Little Egret, 1 Little ringed Plover, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Common Tern and 5 Shoveler. There were 3 Marsh Harrier, 3 Skylark, 4 Greenshank, 2 Redshank, 1 White fronted Goose from Harrisons hide, 2 Avocet, 25 Greylag Geese, 1 Black tailed Godwit, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Bearded Tit heard and hundreds of Swifts all over the reserve with lesser numbers of Sand and House Martin but only 1 Swallow noted.

Pre-work visit to Grove produced two Dunlin, 4 Greenshank, 2 Avocets, single LPR and Ringed Plovers plus a hepatic cuckoo.

I was dropped over at Grove Ferry today at 10.45am in heavy rain where I spent 3 hours wandering around, luckily the rain stopped and the blue sky come out for the last 2 hours. The water level remains very high and with the overnight rain, there was hardly any mud for the waders to feed on. However birds noted today were 24 Mallard, 4 Avocet, 2 Common Tern, 2 Chiffchaff, 3 Marsh Harrier, 1 Skylark, 6 Tufted Duck, 24 Gadwall, 2 Pochard, 4 Shoveler, 4 Shelduck and 1 Great crested Grebe. There were 3 Cuckoo including the Hepatic bird, 4 Greenshank, 1 Ringed Plover, 3 Garganey (2 drakes), 1 Kestrel, 22 Greylag Geese, 2 Blackcap, 2 Grey Heron, 4 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Turtle Dove, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Kingfisher and 3 Little Egret.

As the site has been down for a while here is a condensed version of the last ten days birding in the valley while I had a week off work. Mostly all the usaul were seen or heard every day including, Tawny Owl, Nightingale Reed & Sedge Warblers, Cetti's Warbler, Skylark, Meadow Pipit, Yellow Wagtail, Turtle Dove etc etc you get the picture. The 4 Avocets seen on the 16th are still present today, 25th, and have been seen copulating and nest scraping, attempted breeding of a pair of Little-ringed Plovers has been thwarted by the raising of water levels, having seemingly flooded out their nest area. There have been up to 4 Black-tailed Godwits (atlthough there were 16 present on the 17th) with one, although a limosa, is baring the colour-ring combination of the Icelandic ringing scheme. Other waders have included, 1 Wood Sandpiper, 3 Common Sandpipers, Ringed Plover, 4 Greenshank, a single Oystercatcher on the 22nd ( a rarity here), 3 Redshank and the ever present Black-winged Pratincole appeared to fly off high west at around 10.00am today 25th (re-discovered later at Elmley on the Isle of Sheppy). The 16th also produced the first Honey Buzzard of the year and a Falcon spotted by Alan flying past the ramp southwestwards was a female type Red-footed Falcon. While hunkered down behind the viewing screen on the 17th sheltering from the rain, I scanned across the back of the main pool and picked out a Red-rumped Swallow in amongst the thousonds of Swifts and Sand Martins present, also many House Martins and Swallows present all feeding low over the reed beds. Other bits and pieces included, Blackcap, Garden Warbler, a pair of Bearded Tits!!! (another species affected by the raising of water lavels), a booming male Bittern, 5 Ring-necked Parakeets south over Marsh Hide (20th), 1 Kingfisher most days, 30+ Hobbies and a Spotted Flycatcher breifly at the White House on the 21st. Bee-eater like calls were heard at Collard's (21st) but could not be located and not heard again after 4 or 5 minutes. Up to 9 Marsh Harriers seen, 3 Common Buzzards, 2 more Honey Buzzards reported, a Purple Heron seen by a lucky few on the 23rd and 2 Montagu's Harriers high west over Harrison's also 23rd (an adult male and a 2nd or 3rd cal female). Common terns numbered at least 30 individuals while duicks included 11 Tufted, 4 Pochard a couple of Teal several Shoveler and Gadwll with a pair of Wigeon on Collards today (25th). Steve Ray picked up 3 Spoonbills flying in from the west yesterday (24th) before they circled over Marsh Hide pools and dropped in, leaving again after 10 minutes to the southwest. There were 7 Canada Geese at Cow Corner, many Whitethroats, a couple of Chiffchaffs and Lesser Whitethroats, both Green and Great-spotted Woodpeckers, Jay, Treecreeper, 4 Little Egrets, 5 Garganey (4 drakes), the 1st winter White-fronted Goose still hanging out with 21 Greylags, 3 or 4 Sparrowhawks, a showy pair of Bullfinches in the Alderwood, 1 Hepatic Cockoo seen on several days plus 4+ singing males a single Corn Bunting at Stodmarsh a couple of times and a female Wheatear behind Harrison's today (25th).

I was happily looking for Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (unsuccessfully) in Trenley Park Woods when I was summonsed to Grove by Martyn to twitch a Wheatear, which I had negligently failed to get on the year list thus far. Sadly the Wheatear was as elusive as the woodpecker but I did get a chance to see the Pratincole for the last time. The Pratincole had spent over an hour sat on the mud in front of the Ramp. At 9.50 it flew off calling to the north. It tirned west and followed the river in the direction of the Marsh Hide. However the height that it was flying suggested that after two weeks it had had enough and was on its way. This proved to be the case and it was relocated later at Elmley. The remaining cast of birds at Grove was pretty much as it had been in recent days. Best bird of the day- discounting the Pratincole was an un-seasonal pair of wigeon on Collard’s.

I arrived at Grove Ferry this morning at 4.30am where I spent a few hours wandering the circuit at Grove before returning home at 9am. Birds noted were 2 Avocet, 1 Ringed Plover, The Black winged Pratincole continues to show well from the ramp at times giving good views on the deck and in the air, also 1 drake Garganey, 1 Black tailed Godwit, 3 Cuckoo including 1 Hepatic bird, 1 Turtle Dove, 7 Tufted Duck, 3 Grey Heron, 5 Marsh Harrier, 2 Little Egret, 4 Greenshank, 2 Redshank and 4 Cetti's Warbler. There were 2 Common Tern, 1 Water Rail, 1 Hobby, 1 Little ringed Plover, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 2 Pochard, 2 Shoveler and 1 Yellow Wagtail. Hopefully over the next few days, the sightings of previous weeks will be brought up to date.

Started the day at dawn at Westbere which produced a variety of common birds including 10 Cetti’s Warblers, a single

Started the day at dawn at Westbere which produced a variety of common birds including 10 Cetti’s Warblers, a single turtle Dove and Cuckoo and a distant booming Bittern. Grove Ferry produced the 4 Resident Avocets, 4 Black-tailed Godwits, one Ringed Plover, 3 Greenshank, 3 Redshank and one Black-winged Pratincole. Highlight was three Spoonbills ( thanks for the call Martyn) which after settling briefly at the Marsh Hide eventually flew off SE. At Collard’s there were 19 Hobbies and 18 Common Terns

Highlight of an evening visit to Grove was excellent views of the Pratincole hawking over the fields behind Harrison’s. The only other birds of note were 2 Greenshank, 1 Redshank, 1 Ringed Plover, 4 Black-tailed Godwits and a pair of mating Avocets

I thought I would just drop you a line for your records, I was in the first hide you come to from the car park at Stodmarsh (sorry can’t remember the name of it despite hundreds of visits over the years!!) and had a male Hen Harrier high over the lake with a female Marsh, when I first saw it I hoping Montagu’s but the short wings and overall stockier appearance compared to the Marsh put me right.

A chap in the hide said there has been one around for sometime, I just thought I’d let you know it was seen as it seems quite late.

I spent a couple of hours at Grove today. At 1300 a Red Kite flew high along the river / railway line in the direction of Stodmarsh. I also saw a Common Buzzard near Harrison's Drove and there were 12+ Hobbies. The Black-winged Pratincole was very active- it was good to see it in flight, (my best views of it were from the gate beyond Harrison's Drove).

It was nice to be out this evening without being battered by westerly gales. I walked the whole Grove- Stodmarsh circuit but most of the action was at the Grove Ferry end where there were 4 Avocets, a colour ringed Black-tailed Godwit, and single Ringed Plover, Wood and Common Sandpipers. The Pratincole was hawking over the fields behind Harrison’s and three hobbies were noted

At least one of the Grey-headed Wagtails was still present early morning as was yesterday’s Bar-tailed Godwit. 9 Redshank were note worthy as were a fly through group of 3 Whimbrel and a Curlew. Other birds seen included 3 Common Sandpipers, 9 Greenshank and single Ruff, Ringed and Little Ringed Plovers

Another good couple of hours in the valley today before and after work starting with a call from Brendan alerting me to another 'Mega' in the valley, a Sanderling, my first in the area in 10 years. Other bits seen included 19 Ringed Plover, 1 Garganey, 1 Little Stint, 1 Temminck's Stint, 5 Greenshank, 2 Little ringed Plover, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Marsh Harrier and 4 Redshank.

Until today I had seen twice as many pratincoles in the valley as sanderlings. However the discovery of a Sanderling from the ramp in my pre-work visit to Grove brought the score to 2-2. It was clearly a good wader day with 13 Ringed Plovers, 11Greenshank, 2 Common Sandpipers, 2 LRPs, 3 Redshank and single Black-tailed Godwit, Dunlin and Ruff. Things were clearly happening bird wise today as the phone didn’t stop ringing all day while I was at work with news of new arrivals across Kent. I therefore returned to Grove on the way home. Many of the same waders were still present although the Sanderling had moved on. Little and Temminck’s Stints had arrived during the course of the day and these showed very well from Harrison’s. Highlight of the evening was the discovery of two Grey-headed Wagtails at the back of Harrison’s Drove pool. One was a fine full summer plumage male but the other, while obviously a male was fairly washed out with a cream coloured throat. I considered the possibility of it being Ashy-headed but the reference books suggest that this was probably a first summer male or a bird that hadn’t fully emerged from winter plumage. Grey-headed Wagtail is fairly scarce in Kent and this bird was twitched by a number of East Kent listers during the course of the evening. During all the wagtail excitement a Bar-tailed Godwit quietly slipped in undetected. A useful addition to the year list. The day ended with a mad dash to Stodmarsh as it got dark to tick off Black Tern.

What a fantastic day and one that I will never forget. I made a visit to Grove Ferry this morning in the hope of connecting with the Black winged Pratincole and I was not to be disappointed. On arriving at the Marsh hide, I had a general scan with not alot to see except the White fronted Goose and a pair of Wigeon. I scanned the muddy fringes for a wader when I noticed a bird back on sheltering from the wind. With a pulse getting quicker I knew instantly what it was going to be and a few seconds later when it moved, there it was, a stunning Black winged Pratincole, on my local patch. The bird was c100 metres away and the batteries soon died on my compact digital camera. With the news put out, it was not long before the hide filled up to brimming point with birders looking at this Mega. Steve Ashton and I left the masses and went for some quiet birding in the Feast hide where after a while, the Pratincole flew towards the ramp. We made our way hastily to the ramp where the Pratincole showed well in flight and on the deck and at last a few shots obtained. Other birds noted were 3 Wood Sandpiper, 10 Greenshank, 1 Black tailed Godwit, 2 drake Garganey, 1 Bullfinch, 2 Avocet, 2 Little ringed Plover, 2 Common Tern, 5 Tufted Duck, 1 Pochard, 1 Ringed Plover, 2 Marsh Harrier, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Great crested Grebe, 3 Little Egret, 1 male wheatear and 4 Hobby. News broke of an adult Black Tern at Stodmarsh lake so we headed off there and soon connected with this cracker. Martyn and Steve saw the Pratincole briefly from here and ironically, when we checked out Collards lake, the Pratincole was seen here too briefly along with c15 Common Tern.

A more credible start this morning meeting Peter on the ramp at 5.45am, joined a little later by Steve Ray where we managed to take in a quick look at the Feast hide, Harrison's and on to Marsh hide where Steve Ashton joined us after parking at Stodmarsh. Birds noted were, 1 drake Garganey, 4 Cuckoo's, the ever present array of Warblers including, in varying numbers, Reed, Sedge Garden, Blackcap, Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat and Cetti's Warblers plus the usual dawn choristers of Blackbird, Song Thrush, Robin, Wren and Nightingale, Turtle and Collared Dove as well as Woodpigeon. There were, 4 Marsh Harriers, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Common Terns a few Swifts and Swallows, 4 Greenshank and 2 Avocets. Also seen were 1 Little-ringed and 1 Ringed Plover, 2 Black-tailed Godwits, 4 Pochard, 9 Tufted Ducks, Teal, Gadwall, Shoveller and a drake Pintail (another unusual May bird) was at Marsh hide as was the first winter White-fronted Goose still with the local Greylags. Also noted were, Skylark, Meadow Pipit, 2 Grey Herons, 1 Little Egret, 2 Shelduck and 5 Hobbies. Steve, Steve and I parted with Pete here as we headed towards the Alder Wood and Pete left for home and, while attempting to photograph Garden Warblers I received a phone call that a Collared Pratincole was at the Oyster farm at Reculver, and as both Steve's have never seen any form of Pratincole the descision was made that we'd take a look, cutting short our Garden Warbler photo escapade. A further phone call enroute suggested our quarry was the much rarer 'Mega' a Black-winged Pratincole which I also needed for my Kent list. On arrival at Reculver and a good mile+ walk soon located the said Mega to the delight of both us and all soon arriving twitchers and listers. See Reculver sightings here for more. I think it would be safe to say that this is probably the same Pratincole seen here at Grove by Charlie Vint on Friday 8th May, it's just a shame us valley regulars couldn't add this to our valley lists but, anywhere in Kent is better than not in Kent!!!

For some bizzare reason I was in the valley at 2.40 this morning ( I must have taken Marc's crown) at Trenleypark Wood in the hope of connecting with a Nightjar in the coppiced areas, Sadly though no joy. Nightingales were plentiful though but little else, not even an Owl. A stop at Collard's revealed more Nightingales, Cuckoo and a few Warbler species but no sound of the Bittern, although Tim Hodge, Derek Smith and one other did hear it here at around 3.30am. I stopped at the farm track that looks over towards marsh hide, again no Bittern (Brendan had heard it here last week) so I carried on to Grove. Parking at the entrance I sat with the windows open listening out while supping on my nice hot Aero choclate drink. Here I heard Cuckoo, Nightingale, Chiffchaff, Whitethroat, Blackcap and yes Bittern booming away constantly until near on 6.00am. On a fairly quiet morning at Grove Ferry the following birds were noted. 16 Nightingales, 12 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Bitterns?, 3 Turtle Doves, 5 Garganey (4 drakes) all together from the ramp, 3 Black-tailed Godwits (1 in full dark red summer plumage) and 3 Greenshank. There were the usual warblers, Reed, Sedge, Garden, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Cetti's, Lesser and Common Whitethroats and a Grasshopper Warbler near marsh hide. Also today were 2 Little-ringed Plovers, 1 Ringed Plover, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 5 Marsh Harriers, 3 Grey Herons, 2 Little Egrets, 2 Redshank and at marsh hide a suprise in the form of a first summer White-fronted Goose. There were 2 Common Buzzards, 10 + Hobbies, 3 Shelduck, Several Swifts, Swallows and Martins, 2 Kestrels, 1 Sparrowhawk and 2 Green Woodpeckers. In addition Marc and Steve Ray had a drake Mandarin north over the ramp at 6.00am.

Another day of westerly winds meant that birding was again hard work. From the ramp there were five Garganey including four drakes, a Ringed Plover and LRP. Three Black-tailed Godwits included a summer plumage bird showing characteristics of the islandica race being a deep red and well marked on the belly. It could be that all the Grove birds are of this race but I would have to admit that I hadn’t paid too much attention in the past. I met Tim Hodge and Derek Smith on the ramp. They had been in the valley since around 3.00 doing a non motorised big day. By 9.30 they had get a worthy 81 species including a Long-eared Owl. Bitterns were heard booming at two different locations in the valley by various people up and about long before me. Harrison’s Drove held another 2 Ringed Plovers and 4 Greenshank. It was all down hill after apart from a single Buzzard. I attempted to twitch the Whitefront at Marsh hide and failed and then went on to Collard’s where apart from lots of Common Terns and a single Hobby there was little of note. The day was salvaged by watching Kent beat Glamorgan with some of the Bockhill stalwarts

Reports of a possible Pratincole prompted a lunch time visit to Grove, where I was joined by Martyn and Geoff Burton. Alas no sign of anything resembling a Pratincole but I did add Dunlin and Black-tailed Godwit to my valley year list along with 5 Greenshank, 2 drake Garganey and a Little Egret

Whilst visting Grove Ferry this morning I saw a stange bird I could not recognise It flew tern like with a pale belly, dark wings ,and a white rump. Whwn I arrived at the Harrison Hide, it landed on the dried mud and something in the back of my brain said Pratincole. I first saw the bird flying about 8.30am and it was still viewable from the Hide when I left about 9.30am . It was also seen flying by an American chap who visits Grove on his way to work.

A quick 30 minute visit before work to the ramp at Grove Ferry produced 2 drake Garganey, 2 Ringed Plover, 1 Little ringed Plover, 2 Dunlin, 2 Marsh Harrier, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Turtle Dove, 2 Cetti’s Warbler, 1 Whitethroat, 6 Tufted Duck, 2 Lesser black backed Gull, 1 Kestrel, 2 Common Tern, 1 Green Woodpecker, 3 Greenshank, 2 Grey Heron, c50 Swift in the area and 2 Swallow.

A look at Collard's at lunch time today produced, 15 Hobby. 5 Common Tern, c300 Swift and 3 Greenshank towards Grove.

A couple of trips into the valley today at either end of the day. I had a brief look at Collards this morning whilst on the way to Christ Church University. Birds noted here were 4 Common Tern, 3 Yellowhammer, 1 Cuckoo, 2 Sparrowhawk, 5 Mute Swan, 5 Great crested Grebe, 2 Greylag Geese, 4 Lapwing, 6 Yellow Wagtail, c100 Swift, 2 House Martin, 1 Grey Heron and 1 Marsh Harrier. Late afternoon I drove back past Collards and had a quick look. There were 5 Hobby, 1 Peregrine, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 2 Marsh Harrier, 2 Common Tern and c250 Swift over the lake. Onwards to Grove were at the ramp I noted 5 Greenshank, 5 Tufted Duck, 4 Shoveler, 5 Pochard, 2 Dunlin, 1 Ringed Plover, 1 Little ringed Plover, 3 Yellow Wagtail, 3 Gadwall, 2 Marsh Harrier, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Little Egret, 2 Shelduck, 1 drake Garganey and 1 Common Tern. There were a few Sand Martin, Swallow and Swift actively feeding over the reserve.

I arrived at Grove Ferry just after 5am this morning where soon after I met Mark Chidwick and we wandered around the Grove/Stodmarsh circuit. Birds noted were 1 Little Grebe, 2 Cuckoo, 5 Pochard, 3 Tufted Duck, 4 Shelduck, 2 Turtle Dove, c10 Cetti's Warbler, 5 Shoveler, 10 Common Tern, 3 Greenshank, 4 Chiffchaff, 3 Nightingale, 6 Marsh Harrier, 6 Great crested Grebe and 3 Garden Warbler. There were 3 Blackcap, 3 Canada Geese, 1 Bittern booming, 1 Tawny Owl, 1 Dunlin, 2 Ringed Plover, 1 Whimbrel east, 1 Peregrine and good numbers of Reed Warbler singing around the reserve. Hirundines were represented with a few Swallow, Sand Martin and Swifts with an unusual Swift seen over the ramp which at first glance, I thought was an Alpine. The Swift soon departed south on its own but I managed a shot of the bird.

Not much to report as it was much the same as yesterday but, there were 37 Hobbies over Collard's at midday.

Alan and I spent most of the time on the ramp in hope of a overhead raptor but, Marsh Harriers & Hobbies aside, we were pretty much out of luck. Birds noted between Grove and marsh hide today were, 3 Tawny Owls, 10+ Nightingales, 4 Cuckoo's, numerous Sedge Warblers plus Reed Warblers, Blackcaps, Chiffchaff, Common & Lesser Whitethroats and 1 Garden Warbler. There were 2 Snipe, 1 male Wheatear, 7 Marsh Harriers, 2 drake Garganey (1 marsh hide 1 Ramp), 5 Greenshank a dozen Common Terns and a fly through Whimbrel. A few Swifts, Swallows and Sad Martins about but no House Martins noted. Also there were 2 Ringed Plovers, 1 Little-ringed Plover, 10 Tufted Ducks, 2 pairs of Pochard, several Shoveller and a few Teal and Gadwall. A single Little Egret was seen and there were 3 Sparrowhawks, 2 Kestrels and 16 Hobbies. There were 2 Common Buzzards, 5 Yellow Wagtials, 6 Shelduck and 3 Ruff.