February Sightings

Sightings can be Emailed to:

                   Martyn Wilson - martyn@wilson5834.freeserve.co.uk                                              Brendan Ryan -  Brendan_canterbury@yahoo.co.uk

                       Marc Heath    - Heathym007@aol.com                  

                      Number of species recorded in the valley this year so far = 110

28th February

Birding at Collards lake in very windy conditions between 11.45 - 12.45 produced: 28 Jackdaw, c30 Tufted Duck, 6 Goldeneye (1 drake), c27 Pintail, 18 Pochard, 2 Mistle Thrush, c120 Wigeon, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Pied Wagtail, 11 Redwing, 2 Fieldfare, 43 Black  Headed Gull and 1 male Hen Harrier quartering the fields above Stodmarsh reserve.

As I was returning from a school football match tonight a Barn Owl flew over the A28 from Westbere at 5.15pm, It then sat on a few fence posts before disappearing over the hedges. I then paid a brief visit to Westbere lakes between 5.20 - 5.45pm, birds seen: 11 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Cormorant, 2 Tufted Duck, 2 Robin, 2 Wren, 1 Goldfinch, 2 Mute Swan, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Pheasant, c30 Jackdaw, 5 Fieldfare and 1 Bittern flew low over the lake at 5.42pm. A large flock of Geese were distantly viewable in the same field as yesterday's White Fronted Geese but with binoculars I did not get good enough views but suspect that they were the same birds as yesterday.

(Marc Heath)

27th February

I made two visits to Westbere lakes today in search of all things, a Canada Goose for the Valley year list. Birds seen between 1.05 - 1.30pm: 2 Bittern (1.07pm), I picked up on one whilst scanning the far reed beds and as I did this another one came into view and flew directly towards me and landed c10 metres away giving fantastic views. Despite searching I did not see again. Other birds seen: 3 Goldfinch, 3 Blue Tit, 1 Chaffinch, 1 Magpie, 1 Green Woodpecker heard, 2 Jay, 17 Tufted Duck, 67 Coot, 1 Wren, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Great Tit, 2 Robin, 2 Greenfinch, 1 male Bullfinch and 3 Siskin.

My second visit after work between 3.15 - 4.15pm produced 3 Jay, 4 Great Tit, 4 Goldfinch, 3 Blue Tit, 4 Canada Geese, 46 Greylag Geese, 105 White Fronted Geese, 2 Mistle Thrush, 2 Goldcrest, 1 Water Rail, 10 Fieldfare, 2 Wren, 2 Cormorant, 3 Mute Swan, 2 Chaffinch, 2 Grey Heron, 3 Little Grebe, 13 Great Crested Grebe, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 25 Tufted Duck, 42 Coot, 2 Pied Wagtail, 2 Pochard, 2 Long Tailed Tit and 1 Magpie.

(Marc Heath)

Birds seen by Hersden Lake late afternoon included: 6 Great Crested Grebe, 3 Grey Heron,  52 Coot, 8 on river, 44 on Hersden lake, 2 Green Woodpecker, c300 Jackdaw,  c300 Rook and 5 Goldfinch.
(Ian Harding)

26th February

Birding at Grove Ferry again in cold north easterlies today from 5.45 until 10.30am:- 8 Bewick's Swans until 6.41, 5 Marsh Harriers (3 males), 4 Ruff, 6 Fieldfares, 3 Cett's Warblers, 1 Canada Goose, 4 Shelducks, 200 Teal, 3 Tufted Ducks, 52 Gadwall, 1 Black Tailed Godwit, 650 Lapwings, 10 Redshanks, 7 Pochards, 1 Kingfisher, 128 Golden Plovers, 1 drake Wigeon, 80 Black Headed Gulls, 2 Little Egrets, 1 Grey Heron, 6 Snipe, 1 Meadow Pipit, 1 Green Woodpecker, 27 Common Gulls (best count to date) and 38 Woodpigeons. 293 Cormorants flew east (another best count), as did 126 Jackdaws, 111 Carrion Crows and 4 Rooks. 118 Mute Swans left roost.

(Martyn Wilson, Alan Ashdown & Steve Ashton)

At Stodmarsh from 10.45 til 1.30:- 3 Goldcrests, 2 Treecreepers, 22 Chaffinches, 2 Dunnocks, 12 Long Tailed Tits, 18 Siskins, 11 Lesser Redpolls, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 1 Kestrel, 2 Kingfishers, 6 Robins and several Blue & Great Tits.

(Martyn Wilson, Brendan Ryan, John Cantello, Alan Ashdown & Steve Ashton)

At Westbere :- 244 White Fronted Geese, 103 Greylag Geese, 1 Canada Goose, 14 Golden Plovers and 1 Curlew flew east over Hersden.

(Brendan Ryan)

25th February

Birding at Grove Ferry today between 5.45am & 1.30pm with strong, cold north/easterly winds produced:- 1 Ring Necked Parrakeet calling at 6.09, 9 Bewick's Swans until 6.33, 4 Marsh Harriers (2 males), 6 Shelducks, 33 Gadwall, 1 Pheasant, 400 Lapwings, 4 Ruff, 1 Black Tailed Godwit, 2 Grey Herons, 125 Woodpigeons, 1 Dunlin, 24 Golden Plovers, 18 Redshanks, 3 Little Egrets, 14 Snipe, 1 Kingfisher, 8+ Reed Buntings, 250 Teal, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Redwing, 2 Little Grebes, 20 Meadow Pipits, 1 Stonechat, 3 Magpies, 2 Greenfinches,  1 Common Buzzard at 10.33 (Marc Heath), 28 Black Headed Gulls, 2 Blue Tits, 1 Common Gull, 1 Bittern 11.08, 3 Pochards, 8 Tufted Ducks, 3 Great Tits, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Lesser Black Backed Gull, 1 Sparrowhawk (male), 5 Mistle Thrushes and 12 Fieldfares. 95 Mute Swans left roost, 36 Cormorants flew east as did 207 Jackdaws and 106 Carrion Crows.

(Martyn Wilson, Marc Heath & Pete Solly)

At Collard's Lake between 9.30 & 10.45:- 1 Marsh Harrier, 25 Pintail, 4 Goldeneye (1 drake), 28 Pochards, 27 Tufted Ducks, 86 Wigeon, a Common Buzzard east at 10.15, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Little Grebe and 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker.

(Martyn Wilson)

Not a lot to report today, the flock of White Fronts were again at Westbere (214) and were overe Stodmarsh late afternoon. A Common Buzzard flew west at Westbere and was seen later at Collard's and Grove. At Stodmarsh ther were 60 Siskins and 8 Lesser Redpolls. 5 Hen Harriers were at the roost including 2 males.

(Brendan Ryan)

Raptors at Stodmarsh this afternoon, from 4 until 6 pm noted were: 12+ Marsh Harriers, 2 male Hen Harriers, 3 ringtail Hen Harriers, 1 Peregrine Falcon and a female Sparrowhawk. Noted on the lake was 6 Great crested Grebes, with a few mallard for company,with all the other usual species hidden from a raw easterly wind. about 60 Greylag Geese flew over at 5.25 pm.

(Steve Ashton)

24th February

Birding at Grove Ferry after work between 3.15 - 4.30pm in pleasant sunshine produced: 1 Robin, 2 Blue Tit, 4 Ruff, 12 Redshank, 11 Shelduck, 39 Cormorant, 26 Gadwall, 5 Snipe, 10 Black Headed Gull, 1 Common Gull, 7 Mute Swan, 3 Reed Bunting, 25 Fieldfare, 3 Marsh Harrier, 1 Great Tit, 6 Carrion Crow, 1 Rook, 19 Woodpigeon, 2 Greenfinch, 1 Little Egret, c40 Golden Plover, 1 Dunlin, 1 Bittern (4.05pm), 4 Magpie, 24 Herring Gull, c220 Teal, c180 Starling, c300 Lapwing and 1 Peregrine causing havoc amongst the Lapwing's.

(Marc Heath)

A quick dash around the valley late afternoon produced 223 White Fronts at Westbere, including the neck collared bird. Also at Westbere were 133 Greylags and 3 Canada Geese. A flying visit to Grove produced Dunlin thanks to a tip off by Marc Heath, my 99th species of the year in the valley. At the Stodmarsh roost there were 6 Hen Harriers (2 males), 11 Marsh Harriers and one Little Egret.

(Brendan Ryan)

Birding at Collards, 1530: 1 Black Necked Grebe, Stodmarsh, 1545-1815: 200+ White Fronted Geese, flew over from Collards and landed on lake, 1810. 8+ Marsh Harrier, inc 2 male, into roost, 2-3 male, 4 ring tail Hen Harrier, into roost. 1 Merlin, 2 Woodcock, c80 Fieldfare, into roost and 4 Bullfinch.
(Ian Harding)

23rd February

I made another visit to Grove after work today. The following birds were seen bewteen 4.20 - 5.30pm: 249 Woodpigeon, 2 Robin, 2 Blue Tit, 7 Marsh Harrier, 1 Little Grebe, 2 Tufted Duck, 3 Shelduck, 3 Reed Bunting, 4 Cormorant, c70 Jackdaw, c90 Carrion Crow, c160 Teal, c340 Lapwing, 1 Dunlin, 1 Ruff, 1 Greylag Goose, 3 Pintail (1 drake), 3 Mute Swan, 4 Magpie, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker heard, 92 Fieldfare, 3 Greenfinch, 2 Little Egret, 1 Water Pipit, 2 Redshank, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Pheasant, 1 Bittern (5.19pm) and 30 Herring Gull.

(Marc Heath)

As the weather brightened up a bit this afternoon I took a late stroll to Stodmarsh (5pm - 6pm), and although the air was very cold there was little wind so quite a pleasant walk. Standing on the Lampen Wall I could pick out 6 singing Cetti's Warblers, and at least 7 calling Water Rails, and a small flock of 6 chuckling Fieldfares flew over. My estimate was a minimum of 9 Marsh Harriers to roost, but it was difficult to count as they werent hanging around, they seemed to disappear to roost very quickly and as I was all alone I could have missed some birds. The Hen Harriers were very obliging, with 3 stunning males drifting over the reedbeds together close to the footpath, and 2 ringtails a little more distant. Well worth the effort on a cold afternoon.

(Derek Smith)

22nd February

Birding at Grove Ferry between 4.20 - 5.30pm produced the following species: I watched a male Sparrowhawk briefly hover 3 times from the ramp this evening, the bird would chase Meadow Pipits low over the reeds and as they dropped in the sparrowhawk would pause and hover briefly, a fascinating sight and one thatI I have never seen before. Other birds seen: 149 Woodpigeon, 4 Magpie, 1 Greenfinch, 2 Marsh Harrier, 11 Mute Swan, 1 Great Tit, 6 Shelduck, 79 Golden Plover, c450 Lapwing, c160 Teal, 1 Pheasant heard, 1 Little Egret, 137 Fieldfare, 1 Little Grebe, 2 Cormorant, 1 Pied Wagtail, 2 Meadow Pipit, 1 ring tail Hen Harrier, 1 Reed Bunting, 1 Blue Tit, 1 Song Thrush, 16 Ruff, 28 Carrion Crow, 1 Bittern (5.06pm), 2 Redshank, 3 Lesser Black Backed Gull, 2 Robin and 1 Grey Heron. David Feast had c150 White Fronted Geese at Grove around midday.

(Marc Heath)

21st February

Birding at Grove Ferry in windy conditions between 3.30 - 5.20pm produced: 2 Snipe, 3 Magpie, 2 Robin, 1 Blue Tit, 47 Golden Plover, 2 Redshank, 5 Tufted Duck, 8 Shelduck, 1 Ruff, 8 Gadwall, 1 Kestrel, c200 Woodpigeon (1 flock), 2 Little Egret, 2 Lesser Black Backed Gull, 2 Pheasant, 1 Bittern (5.10pm), 36 Black Headed Gull, 2 Cormorant, c250 Lapwing, c170 Teal, 7 Pochard, 1 Grey Heron, 8 Mute Swan, 177 Fieldfare, 1 Meadow Pipit, 1 Reed Bunting, 68 Herring Gull, 1 Marsh Harrier, c100 Jackdaw west and c150 Carrion Crow west.

(Marc Heath)

20th February

After recently breaking my duck with Bittern a ``wild`` morning spent on the Stodmarsh - Grove Ferry circuit produced Two more which obliged by flying over the Turf Hide, where we were stationed. In addition , 6-8 Bearded Tit , 3 Cetti`s Warbler, 1 Kingfisher, 6 Siskin, many! Marsh Harrier, 6 in the air together.)
(Steve Lea)

19th February

Birding at Grove Ferry and Stodmarsh between 5.45am & 12.45pm today:- At Grove, 1 Bittern south over the ramp at 6.09am, a superb male Hen Harrier at 8.34am plus 4 Marsh Harriers (3 males), 5 Bewick's Swans out of roost with 142 Mute Swans (no fog today), 19 Pintail, 6 Shelducks, 3 Tufted Ducks, 230+ White Fronted Geese til 6.56 when they flew towards Collard's, 2 Water Rails, 5 Cetti's Warblers, 1 Green Woodpecker, 28 Gadwall, 3 Golden Plovers, 3 Snipe, 840 Teal, 1 Fieldfare, 1 Kingfisher, 4 Redshanks, 2 Skylarks, 1 Stonechat, 1 Water Pipit, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Peregrine, 1 Ruff (with yellow flag on left leg & colour rings on each leg),7 Black Headed Gulls, and 650+ Lapwings. Corvids east were:- 247 Jackdaws, 87 Carrion Crows & 7 Rooks. Highlights at Stodmarsh were:- 1 Stonechat, 5 Marsh Harriers (2 males), 4+ Skylarks, numerous Shovelers, several Long Tailed, Blue & Great Tits in the Alder Wood plus 6+ Goldcrests, 3Treecreepers numerous Chaffinches, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker and 4 Goldfinches, 3 Cett's Warblers, 1 Little Egret and 2 Kestrels.

(Martyn Wilson)

At Collard's today the pair of Smew and Black Necked Grebe were still present along with 47 Pintail and 10 Goldeneye inc 3 drakes. There were also 62 Tufted Ducks, earlier 231 White Fronred Geese were in fields at Westbere and there was a Firecrest at Stodmarsh.

(Brendan Ryan)

Grove Ferry early PM: 3 Bewick's Swans, fields E of boatyard, 2 Ruff, 1 Kingfisher, 1 pair of Stonechat. Stodmarsh late PM: 200-300 White Fronted Geese flew over from Collards and landed on lake, 1740. 11 Marsh Harrier, inc 3 males into roost, 3 males, 2 ring tail Hen Harrier into roost, 3 Woodcock and 200+ Fieldfare into roost.

(Ian Harding)

18th February

Arrived at at 5.50 this morning to the songs of many Song Thrushes, Robins and Blackbirds as well as Great & Blue Tits, Chaffinches & Greenfinches. The rest of the birding up until midday included:- 1 Bewick's Swan on main lake at 6.30 plus a number of other Bewick's on back pool but not countable, as to foggy to see as they left, only 56 Mute Swans were counted before the fog was to bad. 230 White Fronted Geese left the right hand pool and flew towards Stodmarsh/Collard's. 490 Corvids flew east (260+ Jackdaws), also 7 Marsh Harriers (3 males), 5 Shelducks, 23 Pintail, 2 Kingfishers, 1 Little Egret (north/east), 3 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Redshanks, 270 Teal, 24 Golden Plovers, 4 Tufted Ducks, 16+ Reed Buntings, 1 Pheasant, 3 Ring Necked Parakeets, 5 Snipe, 3 Bearded Tits, 7 Pochards, 1 Water Rail, 50+ Meadow Pipits, 2+ Skylarks, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Water Pipit, 3 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 1 Little Owl, 1 Little Grebe, 2 Kestrels, 2 Long Tailed Tits, 47 Gadwall, 485 Lapwings, 37 Black Headed Gulls, 2 Grey Herons, 2 Stonechats, 23 Fieldfares and 2 Mistle Thrushes.

(Martyn Wilson, Marc Heath & Alan Ashdown)

At Westbere Lake today:- 22 Wigeon, 67 Teal and 2 Canada Geese.

At Collard's Lake:- 11 Pintail, 33 Tufted Ducks, 10 Goldeneye (2 drakes), 3 Ruddy Ducks (1 drake), a pair of Smew, 36 Pochards, 230 White Fronted Geese, 48 Chaffinches, 1 Little Owl and 1 singing Corn Bunting.

And At Stodmarsh:- 11 Pochards, 6 Great Crested Grebes, 4 Shelducks, 4 Curlews, 3 Stonechats, 40 Siskins, 3 Lesser Redpolls and 4 Goldcrests. Plus at Stodmarsh tonight:- 6 Hen Harriers (3 males) and 5 Marsh Harriers.

(Brendan Ryan)

An afternoon trip to Collard's and Stodmarsh from 3.30 - 6.00pm produced, at Collard's, 40+ Pintail, 5 Goldeneye, 14 Greylag Geese, 2 Mute Swans, 1 Kestrel, 1 female Marsh Harrier along with numerous Shovelers, Pochard and Tufted Ducks. At Stodmarsh the following birds were noted, 5 Goldcrests, 8 Great Crested Grebes, Teal, Mallard, Shovelers, Gadwall, Long Tailed Tits, Blue and Great Tits, Siskins, Chaffinches, Jackdaws, Carrion Crows, 60+ Fieldfares, 1 Sparrowhawk and at least 9 Marsh Harriers. Just before dusk, 4 male Hen Harriers along with 3 ringtails gave superb aeriel display, allowing splendid views from the Lampen Wall.

(Steve Ashton)

14th February

Another visit to Stodmarsh between 9 - 11.30am in windy and drizzly conditions produced: 7 Chaffinch, 3 Great Tit, 6 Blue Tit, 3 Robin, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker heard, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 11 Stock Dove, c100 White Fronted Geese over Collards lake into nearby fields, 16 Greylag Geese, 4 Bullfinch, 4 Goldfinch, 1 Water Rail, 3 Mealy Redpoll on the floor feeding near the Alder wood, c20 Lesser Redpoll, c50 Siskin, 1 Bittern, 4 Marsh Harrier, 1 Kingfisher, 7 Tufted Duck, 6 Shelduck, 1 Pheasant, 2 Goldcrest, 3 Long Tailed Tit, 2 Treecreeper, 1 Green Woodpecker heard, 1 Chiffchaff, 17 Fieldfare, c200 Teal and c240 Lapwing. I met another observer who had seen a Woodcock in thr alder wood.

Then off to Grove Ferry for a quick look from the ramp. The following species were logged between 11.45 - 12.30: 3 Robin, c70 Golden Plover, 2 Marsh Harrier, 1 Grey Heron, 4 Mute Swan, c280 Teal, c500 Lapwing, 41 Black Headed Gull, 36 Greylag Geese, 1 Stonechat, 1 Skylark, 3 Shelduck, 14 Herring Gull, 2 Dunlin, 3 Redshank, 1 Little Grebe, 1 Reed Bunting, 1 Kestrel, 1 Blue Tit and 1 Bullfinch.

(Marc Heath)

13th February

I paid a visit to Stodmarsh this afternoon between 2.30 - 4.45pm in the hope of seeing the reported Penduline Tits but with no luck despite a good search. In lovely calm conditions the following birds were seen: 4 Robin, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker drumming, 5 Great Tit, 2 Bullfinch, 5 Treecreeper, 4 Marsh Harrier, 2 Wren, 4 Blue Tit, 9 Long Tailed Tit, 2 Reed Bunting, 3 Cetti's Warbler, 4 Chaffinch, c30 Greylag Geese, 5 Mute Swan, 2 Kingfisher, 6 Shelduck, 2 Great Crested Grebe, 50 Cormorant, c15 Pochard, 8 Jackdaw, c20 Shoveler, 1 Pheasant, 1 Jay, c40 Siskin, c20 Lesser Redpoll and 2+ Mealy Redpoll.

(Marc Heath)

Birding at Collards, PM: c100 White Fronted Geese, fields immed S of lake. Stodmarsh, PM: c100 White Fronted Geese, flew over from Collards to roost on lake, 1750, 7+ Marsh Harrier, into roost, 2 m 2 ring tail Hen Harrier, into roost, 1 Barn Owl, 1720, 1 Tawny Owl, calling in Alder Wood, 1805,  200+ Fieldfare, into roost, 1 Treecreeper, 2 Brambling, Jungle, c50 Siskin, c20 Redpoll, 15 Corn Bunting, top of tree overhanging Lampen Wall 1705-1710 then W.
(Ian Harding)

12th February

Birding in the rain at Grove Ferry today from 6.00am until midday:- 5 Marsh Harriers (2 males), 5 Pochards, 4 Tufted Ducks, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 2 Water Pipits, 1 Water Rail, 2 Grey Herons, 1 Kingfisher, 14 Gadwall, 6 Common Gulls, 15 Dunlin, 16 Snipe, 1200+ Lapwings, 6 Redshanks, 1 Stonechat, 45 Black Headed Gulls, 1000+ Teal, a pair of Wigeon, 2 Reed Buntings and 3 Shelducks. 108 White Fronted Geese were with 119 Greylag & 2 Canada/Greylag hybrids in field between the Boat House and the Blue Bridge. 160+ Corvids flew east the majority (140+) being Jackdaws.

(Martyn Wilson)

11th February

Grove Ferry today 5.45 until midday:- 7 Marsh Harriers (3 high north/east), 154 Golden Plovers, 3 Shelducks, 1 drake Pintail, 2 Ruff, 4 Cetti's Warblers, 6 Redshanks, 11+ Snipe, 2 Tufted Ducks, 2 Gadwall, 4 Grey Herons, 14+ Reed Buntings, 2 Stonechats, 1 Goldcrest, 2 Little Owls, 1 Little Grebe, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2 Mistle Thrushes, 235 Teal, 30 Black Headed Gulls, 1 Little Egret, 2870 Lapwings, 108 Eurasian White Fronted Geese, 27 Bewick's Swans flew in at 11.20 & still present at midday and 12 Fieldfares flew south. 71 Cormorants east, 136 Jackdaws, 87 Carrion Crows & 2 Rooks also east and 90 Mute Swans left roost. A quick half hour at Collard's produced:- 1 Bittern, 67 Tufted Ducks 12 Pintail, 40 Pochard, 4 Great Crested Grebes, 6 Goldeneye (1 drake) and 2 Jays.

(Martyn Wilson, Alan Ashdown & Steve Ashton)

I hope that it will be of interest to you that I saw two Penduline Tits at Stodmarsh around 12.30pm.   Having had superb views of Reedlings and a female Hen Harrier, we then saw a male feeding on bullrush heads on the bend to the north of your raised hide. As we returned to the car park, we then saw a female some two hundred yards south of the hide feeding in a thin line of Phragmites on the lake edge.   There were definitely two birds, as the masks were significantly different.

(John Hall)

At Westbere Lake from 11 am. and still present at 1.30pm, 125 White Fronted Geese and 3 Bean Geese, together with Greylag flock of about 100.

(Sue Morton)

8th February

The excellent weather prompted me to leave work early and venture into the valley late afternoon. The White Front flock was at Collard's with 121 birds including individuals that had been at Grove at the weekend. Also at Collard's there were 196 Greylags, 151 Tufted Ducks, 32 Pochard, 32 Pintail and the Black Necked Grebe was still Present.  At Stodmarsh, Harrier numbers had reduced with only 5 Marsh Harriers and 5 Hen Harriers (2 males). Fieldfare numbers were also well down with less than 200 going to roost.

(Brendan Ryan)

6th February

Birding at Grove, 1400-1450: 3 Marsh Harrier, 2000+ Lapwing, 1 Redshank, 1 m Stonechat. Collards, 1500-1610: 1 Black Necked Grebe - SE corner of lake, 120+ White fronted Geese, back & forth btw SE corner of lake and fields immed S of lake, 3 Tundra Bean Geese, back & forth with Whitefronted Geese, 28+ Pintail. Stodmarsh, 1620-1730: 2+ m 6+ f/imm Marsh Harrier into roost, 3-4 m 3-4 ring tail Hen Harrier into roost, 1 Woodcock 1730, 1000+ Fieldfare into roost, [Wfronts & Beans flew over from Collards to roost, 1725].

(Ian Harding)

5th February

Grove Ferry today 6.10am-12.50pm:- 120 White Fronted Geese again but no sign of any Bean Geese. 7 Marsh Harriers (3 males), 1 ringtail Hen Harrier, 36 Golden Plovers, 4 Shelducks, 1 Little Egret (north), 1 Ruff, 1 Green Woodpecker, 4 Stonechats, 6 Wigeon, 1 Kestrel, 4 Tufted Ducks, 1 Lesser Redpoll, 2 Grey Herons, 2 Water Pipits, 18 Long Tailed Tits, 1 drake Pintail, 1000 Teal, 8 Gadwall, 17 Snipe, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 2400+ Lapwings, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Redshank and 141 Fieldfares. 203 Cormorants flew east as did 47 Jackdaws, 48 Carrion Crows and 4 Rooks. 135 Mute Swans left roost.

(Martyn Wilson, Alan Ashdown & Steve Ashton)

Collards lake:- Black Necked Grebe still present, 5 Goldeneye (1 drake), 32 Pochard (plus 34 at Stodmarsh) and 66 Tufted Ducks. At Stodmarsh:- 1 Stonechat, 7 Water Pipits between Stodmarsh & Grove, 24 Wigeon on the Ox-Bow, 40 Siskins in the Alder wood a Mealy Redpoll was reported, but i could only locate 3 Redpoll species.

(Brendan Ryan)

4th February

Grove Ferry and Collards 6.05am-12.30pm:- 120 White Fronted Geese on left pool then behind Harrison's Hide all morning. 5+ Marsh Harriers, 1 drake Pintail, 4 Shelducks, 68 Golden Plovers, 1 Stonechat, 25 Wigeon (24 west), 10+ Meadow Pipits, 2 Little Egrets, 1000+ Teal, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kingfisher, 3 Snipe, 5 Tufted Ducks, 1 Peregrine, 2300+ Lapwings, 3 Common Gulls, 2 Redshanks, 6 Gadwall, 1 BeardedTit, 2 Bitterns, and 1 Cetti's Warbler with 141 Cormorants east plus 65 Jackdaws and 6 Carrion Crows, 135 Mute Swans left roost. The Black Necked Grebe still at Collards lake, also 8 Goldeneye, 1 Bittern, 24 Pintail, 34 Tufted Ducks, 9 White Fronted Geese and 6+ BeardedTits.

(Martyn Wilson, Brendan Ryan & Pete Solly)

Westbere:- 76 Tufted Ducks, 3 Great Crested Grebes, 141 Greylg Geese and 1 Little Grebe.

(Brendan Ryan)

There were 2 Tundra Bean Geese in with the Eurasian White Fronts at Grove Ferry this afternoon.

(Chris Gibbard)

1st February

Stodmarsh early PM: 40+ Siskin, 6+ Redpoll and 5+ Bullfinch. Grove Ferry mid PM: 1 m 2+ f 1 imm Marsh Harrier , 1 f catching & carrying away a Duck, 1 Dunlin, 8 Redshank, 11+ Meadow Pipit, 5 Stonechat and 3+ Bullfinch. Stodmarsh late PM: 2 m 4+ f  Marsh Harrier into roost, 4 m 5 rt Hen Harrier into roost and 1000+ Fieldfare into roost.

(Ian Harding)