Stour Valley Sightings

The Species list stands at 105 so far for 2017

View list Here

This blog replaces the posting that used to be on the KOS website sightings page.

If you would like to send any sightings to me for posting, you can at  martynwilson@talktalk.net

March 26th

In the early hours of the 25th (Saturday) 05:08 to be precise, along Grove road just before the Boat House a Long-eared Owl flew out of the roadside bushes and along the road in front of the car before veering of to the right hand side. The rest of the morning was less productive with no migrants being discovered. There were 2 pairs of Tufted Ducks present, 1 Shelduck, 1 Black-tailed Godwit and 3 Pintail. Most obvious were the many singing Chiffchaffs and Wrens and, almost every other small bird seen was a Reed Bunting. A Kingfisher and 3 Little Grebes were at Feast hide and a pair of Yellowhammers were along Harrison's Drove. From Marsh hide we had fantastic views of an adult male Hen Harrier at 08:10 and there were at least 10 Marsh Harriers present with 6 in the air together over Stodmarsh lake at one point. New for the year and quite scarce in the Valley was a single Red-legged Partridge in a filed along the entrance track to Stodmarsh car park expertly picked out by Mr Dave Sutton while driving by.

Hen Harrier at Marsh Hide

On Sunday (26th) a ringtail Hen Harrier passed by the Ramp at 06.15 but the pool in front of the Ramp was very quiet eve the Black-tailed Godwit had departed but, while waiting 3 male Ruff flew in for a wash and feed, they were starting to gain their summer attire. Not a lot else except 99 Mute Swans leaving for feeding pastures, a Kingfisher in the small reed clump in front of the Ramp and a Green Sandpiper joining the Ruff plus a second Green Sandpiper from Harrison's hide. Not much at Marsh hide although 5 Water Pipits were present but did managed to catch up with Sedge Warbler with one chattering away between Harrison's Drove and Feast hide late morning.

Marsh Harrier Marsh Hide moments before the Hen Harrier