The Stour Valley list for 2018 stands at 156(+1) species so far.
July 16th
A glorious morning at the reserve today and as it has been a bit quiet birdwise i thought i would do a Butterfly count on my way round the circuit but it turned out to be a good morning's birding as well. Starting from the Stodmarsh end i went to reedbed hide and a Badger had rooted out a Wasp nest along the path to the hide. There were 106 Grey lag's,1 Grey heron, 1 Kingfisher and 1 juvenile Marsh harrier. On the lake was an adult Great crested grebe with 2 chick's. At Harrisons were 2 Green sandpiper, 1 Little egret and at least 10 juvenile Lapwing which is very good news, just as i was about to leave 2 Great white egrets flew in to the ramp. Not much along the river but near the metal bridge there was 1 juvenile and 1 adult Kestrel,1 Great spotted woodpecker, 5 Reed buntings and on the way to marsh hide 6 Sedge warbler's. Butterflies seen were 20 Peacock, 3 Comma, 2 Red admiral,1 Small tortoiseshell, 40+ Meadow brown, 1 Painted lady, 20+ Gatekeeper's with a few mating and 60 + Large white.
(Bryan East)
Great-crested Grebe - Bryan East
Gatekeeper - Bryan East