Ray O’Reilly, KOS Field trip organiser writes:

 “On Sunday May 14th 2023, for our KOS Field Trip  we visited two locations -  Stodmarsh and Worth Marshes Nature Reserves. We saw 76 species, although we failed to see the nomadic female Red-footed Falcon that has been present in the Stour Valley.   Never mind - such is birding!

We met in Stodmarsh Car Park to the beautiful backdrop of Spring bird song that included a Turtle Dove purring (one of three this morning) and a Garden Warbler. A brief view of a Bullfinch was a welcome sight as these once numerous birds have become relatively scarce.  Several Common Cuckoos were recorded and a Common Nightingale showed its bright rufous-tail.

 Stock Doves, Common Swifts and a hovering Goldcrest were enjoyed and the constant booming of Great Bitterns kept us company throughout the morning. It was lovely to watch Common Terns nesting on a raft and a smart Little Owl was admired through the scope by all. Mid morning the first European Hobbys appeared and we observed a magnificent 28+ catching insects mid-air - another four at Worth Marshes were seen later. After viewing a Common Raven and Water Rail we stopped for lunch.

 Worth Marshes NR is in top condition at the moment and consequently just full of birds singing, with Skylarks and Reed Buntings being much in evidence. A lovely flock of Black-tailed Godwits in an array of plumages were studied. Pied Avocets, Common Redshank and Northern Lapwings were all displaying and some birds had hatchlings. Greenshank and Whimbrel were passing through Kent on migration and our final two birds were the now scarce Mistle Thrush and a Green Woodpecker. Thanks to Martyn Wilson for his assistance and Yuti Chernajovsky

I will be publishing new dates for field trips here shortly for the remaining part of the year and I am working on some new destinations for the future.”

Ray O’Reilly

KOS Field Outings Organiser