The Species list stands at 164 so far for 2017
View list Here
Please send all sightings to me at; martynwilson@talktalk.net
December 31st
The year has come to and end with a flurry of Finch activity. With Mark Chidwick spotting a Hawfinch flying west past the Ramp at 08.02 followed by 4 more at 08.20. The were several Chaffinches on the Ramp with 6 Goldfinch plus near to Cow Corner there were a group of 60+ Chaffinches and a single Brambling plus 70+ Siskins in the Alders above them. Still a large amount of Cormorants leaving roost but, a little more awkward to count as they disperse in different directions. Probably up to 3000 birds though. Very little in the way of Wildfowl, 40+ Mute Swans, 4 Bewick's Swans until the 29th, the valley population of Gadwall at the David Feast hide with 44 birds there and the bulk of Teal at Stodmarsh with 2000+ bids, a fully sailed drake Mandarin on the lake on the 29th as well. Birds of prey represented well with up to 20 Marsh Harriers present plus 3 Hen Harriers including two nice grey males, also Kestrel and Sparrowhawk seen frequently and a Merlin by Brendan Ryan earlier in the month plus Buzzards seen on sunny days. Grey Herons and Little Egrets seem to be at a premium this year but a Great-white Egret is seen most days. Water Pipits are regularly being seen from Marsh hide with up to six of late but not always easy, occasionally one or two from the Ramp as today proved. The big Starling gathering has dissipated and only small flocks of 4-10 birds are seen flying around. Grey Wagtails are seen near the railway crossing and at the pig enclosure in front of the pub. The big let down this year was the lack of waders! Only a small number of Lapwings present this winter and attempted breeding by just a handful of birds with only 4 or 5 chicks fledging and, the once common breeder the Redshank is now extinct, I have not had one all year although, there have been half a dozen sightings by others. The photographers favourite the Kingfisher often shows well at any hide on the reserve as well as from the Ramp. Hopefully the new year will bring a few new birds and the return of some old friends,
Happy bird filled New Year.
Below some photos from the past week.
Fieldfare
Great-white Egret
Grey Partridge
Hen Harrier
Redwing
Mistle Thrush
Bewick's Swans
Fieldfare
December 30th
Grove Ferry 2.30-4.45pm. Two male Hen Harriers roosted at 4.10pm. Also 10 Marsh Harriers, 2 Kestrel, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kingfisher, c1500 Cormorants, c300 Fieldfare, 2 Shoveler, c30 Greylag Geese and 3 Woodcock out of roost at dusk.
(Marc Heath)
December 16th
Very little at a frozen Grove Ferry this morning but, highlights were 4 adult Bewick's Swans on the Ramp pool with 1 Mute Swan and 54 Greylag Geese. Also what must be a 'record' number of Cormorants leaving roost towards the coast. I counted 2757 but, probably missed a few. One flock/string of exiting Cormorants held 930 birds.
Four Bewick's Swans leaving in the glow of a hazy sunlit frozen morning
A very small amount of the 2757 Cormorants leaving at dawn