The Species list stands at 138 so far for 2017
View list Here
If you would like to send any sightings to me for posting, you can at martynwilson@talktalk.net
An early morning walk around the reserve before dawn with the parabolic dish listening for any reelers, those you can't mention and Grasshopper Warblers. Sadly no sound of either anywhere on the reserve. Joined by Dave Sutton and Sue Morton the rest of the day was slow but enjoyable with a new bird for the valley this year and a couple of year ticks for all involved. There were 5 Nightingales singing, 27 Cetti's Warbler (probably more), plenty of Reed and Sedge Warblers, lots of Common Whitethroats now in and 1 Cuckoo, Sue adding 1 Lesser Whitethroat. A few duck from the Ramp included 36 Teal, 5 Shovelers, 6 Gadwall, a pair of Tufted Ducks, 1 Shelduck and half a dozen baby Mallards. Highlight of the morning was a summer plumaged Bar-tailed Godwit that flew in with a Greenshank. Bar-tails being a very scarce bird in the valley with single birds turning up infrequently. Other waders included 2 Green Sandpipers, 3 Snipe and 12 Lapwing. There were 2 Turtle Doves with one singing in the Paddocks and one along the river. Raptors were represented by 8 Marsh Harriers, 5 Buzzards, 2 Sparrowhawks, 3 Kestrels and 5 Hobbies, but very few hirrundines, 1 Sand Martin, 20ish Swallows and a 36+ Swifts.
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Record shot of the Bar-tailed Godwit leaving
Friendly Blackbird
Common Tern