Today was the first day of my Nightingale
survey around Grove Ferry. Starting at 5.00am I located 3 singing males within
my square by 6.30 and then adding a fourth in another part of the square nearer
8.00am. Then it was birding as normal meeting Chiddy on the Ramp and joined by
Brendan and Adam we navigated the Stour valley counter clockwise on what was
pretty much a dire day, migrant wise.
The best of the lot was 3 Cuckoo’s seen around the circuit and locating
our first Willow Warbler. Other than that we had 16 singing Cetti’s Warblers, 2
male Bitterns with one 4 booming by the Marsh hide and the other 6 grunting near
the Feast hide. Many a Sedge Warbler in now with just a couple of Reed Warblers
for company. Eight Marsh Harriers were seen with five together over Collard's
mid-morning. A single Yellow Wagtail was outside Harrison’s Drove hide, 4
Canada Geese flew in and landed somewhere near Marsh hide and a Little-ringed
Plover flew over as we left Harrison’s. A couple of Sparrowhawks were noted as
well as 1 Kestrel while the Water Meadows were devoid of any waders. A single
Swallow flew past at the lake, a Green Sandpiper flew over and other than the
resident Lapwings there were 2 Redshank from Marsh hide.
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| male Wheatear no.1 |
Two male Wheatears
were showing well as we were approaching Harrison’s Drove from the ‘metal
bridge’ and at Collard’s 4 Common Buzzards and 3 Corn Buntings were added.
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| male Wheatear no.2 |
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| male Wheatear no.2 |
Leaving
early we went our separate ways with me passing through Sandwich as normal.
Here I met up with Steve Ashton where we both managed to locate the Hoopoe and
have very good views although a little distant for the camera and often
obscured by long grass. It was nice to meet and chat with Neil Burt and his girlfriend.
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| Hoopoe |
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| Hoopoe |
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| Hoopoe |
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| Hoopoe |
