The Stour Valley list for 2018 stands at 96species so far.
January 20th
A very wet miserable weekend was enlivened by the return of the 4 Bewick's Swans after an absence of 24 days. Where have they been all this time or, have they been present on the hidden back pools and we've just missed them? The Barnacle Goose was from the Ramp early on the 20th, the first time I've seen it at this end, it is usually on the fields above Stodmarsh to the north on the lake there. Highlight of the weekend however, was the sighting of the Redshank the Bryan had seen in the week at Marsh hide. As mentioned before, I did not see one at all last year! The 3 Hen Harriers were present on the 19th but no sign at all on the 20th. The Great-white Egret was again frequenting the back pool and Ramp pool on both days. Other birds included Tawny Owl, Barn Owl, 5 or 6 Marsh Harriers, 8+ Linnets, 35 Meadow Pipits, a couple of Bearded Tits, 2 Water Pipits and several hundred Fieldfare. AS it was WeBS this weekend I made an effort to count the Cormorants and, although I think we saw most of them they were at least 600 down on the last count with 2299 birds seen heading east towards the coast Sandwich/Deal direction.