The Stour Valley list for 2020stands at 94 species so far.
Please send your sightings to martynwilson@talktalk.net
January 19th
Weekend of the 18th/19th in the Stodmarsh and Grove Ferry area in cold but sunny conditions produced our first male Hen Harrier of the winter with a smart adult out of roost on the 18thplus at least 2 ringtails. David Feast added Peregrine and Bearded Tit in the week and Mark Chidwick added Bewick's Swan. Birds noted over the weekend included 9 Common Buzzards, 1 Great-white Egret, Tawny Owl still in it's woodpecker home, Barn Owl, redhead Goosander and at least 3 Kingfishers. A young female Peregrine was sitting in fields beside the boathouse afternoon of the 19th and 2 female Grey Wagtails were noted (plus new for the year). Three Little Egrets, 24+ Long-tailed Tits, 300+ Fieldfare, a single Woodcock, 20 overflying Wigeon and rising numbers of Cormorant again with 1000 on 18th and at least 1200 on 19th. There were 9 Corn Buntings above Collard's, 3 Shelduck from the Ramp, up to 4 Kestrels and many commoner birds, Blue and Great Tit, Teal, Mallard, Shoveler, Chaffinch, Goldfinch plus Green and Great-spotted Woodpeckers, Great-crested Grebe and just outside the Valley above Seaton with 300 Greylag Gees there were our 2 Tundra Bean Geese and 7 Russian White-fronted Geese. Also 2 Badgers were seen.