Monday 5 June 2017

The Species list stands at 147 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


June 4th   

Starting the morning again at Stodmarsh we were privileged to see and hear up to 5 Cuckoo's, 3 Plus Bittern including 2 Boomers and one in flight (Russ and Brian Blackman also seeing a bird in flight a little later), 5+ Turtle Doves and plenty of Warbler song. There were at least 30 Swifts over Collard's with probably more during the day, a Barn Owl hunting over the Oxbow mid morning a flyby Kingfisher while on the Lampen Wall and 14 Gadwall, 6 Great-crested Grebes and 3 Tufted Duck on the lake. While chatting with Neil Burt and family a flock of 28 Black-tailed Godwits flew over and up the valley while 7 or so Marsh Harriers were using the warm air. Later while on the Ramp at Grove Neil messaged that he had an Oystercatcher in front of Reed bed hide and by chance a few minutes later I picked it up in flight scanning the sky for raptors! Neil also had a Red Kite west then Sue and I had 2 close Red Kites over the Ramp heading up valley and after Sue left and I was joined by Chris Gibbard we had another Red Kite west. Only 3 Hobbies seen (where are they this year!!), but at least 6 Common Buzzards. There were 12 Common Terns, 2 Bullfinches, 1 Jay, 3 Ring-necked Parakeets, 4 Stock Doves, 3 Kestrels, 1 Water Rail and several failed breeding?? Sand Martins over the reed bed. On the way to Grove from Stodmarsh Sue and I stopped at Preston and were fortunate enough to see the Spotted Flycatcher.
One of at least 3 Bitterns today

Red Kite with the sun behind it

Red Kite over the Ramp at Grove