Arriving at Grove Ferry at 5.00 this morning
it was a drizzly, mizzling kind of day with a lot less bird song than of late.
From the Ramp there were 3 Green Sandpipers, the odd Sedge Warbler and Reed
Warbler calling, a Turtle Dove flew past and a Cetti’s Warbler called out. A
look in Feast hide revealed a single Common Tern while at Harrison’s there were
two close Green Sandpipers and a Little Egret.
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| Green Sandpiper Harrison's hide |
As the rain had intensified I found
myself staying here for a while adding the first Grey Heron of the day, 60
Lapwings and a passage of 160 Swifts moving west. Six ducks in flight were 3
Tufted and 3 Pochards while 2 Common Terns were hunting a back pool. A flash of
feathers sped past the open window crashing into the foliage just in front,
knowing it was a Sparrowhawk I watched as it came back and landed on the box
cover for the wheelchair users and through the rain splattered window followed this
stunning male bird as it trotted towards me and sat in front of my open window
less than two feet away. I did not move a muscle, didn’t blink, didn’t breathe
just in case it flushed, I could see the little whiskers around the base of the
bill as we looked in each other’s eyes before he alighted and perched above me
on the corner of the hide. Bloody fantastic. When the rain eased of a bit I made
my way to the Water Meadows noting Chiffchaff, Blackcap and Whitethroat along
the way, mostly with young but one or two singing. At the Water Meadows were 5
Redshanks (4 fresh immature birds), 5 Green Sandpipers and 1 Wood Sandpiper.
Carrying on to the Tower hide, to escape the rain, a Kingfisher flew across the
path in front and a female Bullfinch did the same. There were 6 Common Terns
over the Lake at Stodmarsh, 2 Great-crested Grebes on it and a large gathering
of Swifts were hawking over Collard’s. Back at the Water Meadows after the rain
stopped there were still 5 Green and 1 Wood Sandpiper plus now a moulting
summer Dunlin, 68 Lapwings and 5 Pied Wagtails. As I was passing the Oxbow
several Swallows and Martins came along the river but little else was to be
found. Back on the Ramp around 10.00am and wondering whether to return home
early I noticed two high up ‘gulls’ and casually raised my bins just to confirm
but, bugger me sideways but they were two adult pale phase Arctic Skuas, Mega.
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| Arctic Skua over the Ramp |
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| Arctic Skua over the Ramp |
They were drifting eastwards and circling as they went. A couple London birders
joined me on the Ramp with one chap chasing five year ticks, Whimbrel and
Turtle Dove already added but, Garganey, Wood Sand and one other still needed.
Two Turtle Doves flew past as we were talking a Bittern flew across the reed
bed and a Hobby followed suit. Just as the chap said “Martyn, find me a Garganey
and I’ll buy you a pint” I said Garganey behind the Black-heads, perfect
timing. On the way home I stopped at Restharrow where the was nothing much on
offer except a Cormorant on the near island but, on my visits in the mornings during
the week I’ve had Wood Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper, Little-ringed Plover and on
Friday (13th) the Quail was once again singing, between 5.0 and
5.30am.
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| Little Egret Restharrow 5.00am 11th |
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| Little-ringed Plover Restharrow 5.30am 11th |
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| Little-ringed Plover Restharrow 5.30am 11th |
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| Mallard Ducklings Restharrow 5.30am 11th |
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| Cormorant Restharrow 12.30pm 14th |
