Listening.....but Still No Crakes

On a much less early morning with a fair bit of cloud cover breaking to reveal the full moon I met Mark Chidwick at the Grove gate at 3.45am where we preceded to walk the whole reserve on the listen (once again) for Crakes etc. The pre-dawn tour produced 9 Nightingales in fine voice, 1 Tawny Owl. Loads of Sedge Warblers, 3 Turtle Doves, 3 Cuckoos, 1 Grasshopper Warbler and one amazing sounding Bittern that felt as if it was just yards from where we stood. We clearly could hear 3 sharp intakes of breath before a fourth followed by the ‘booming’ exhale followed by intake, exhale etc for up to eight booms a go every minute and 25 seconds, absolutely superb. During daylight hours we noted 2 Bearded Tits from the Ramp, 2 Shelducks, 2 Tufted Ducks and 5 Marsh Harriers. The Wood Sandpiper was still beside Harrison’s as was the single Ruff, a Redshank and a male Wheatear and as we were heading towards the ‘White House’ Mark picked up 2 Avocets flying that circled twice before heading of north over the A28 while Marsh hide still held 2 Ruff, 2 Greenshank and 2 Redshank. We had made our way through the Alder Wood and onto the Lampen Wall when an out of breath Bernie came steaming up to us only to inform us he’d not half hour ago had a Stone Curlew on the very field by Harrison’s where we’d been watching the Wood Sandpiper and the Wheatear. To top it off Tony Swandale who had a brief visit to Marsh hide while we were there, also managed to bag Bernie’s find as well as Norman McCanch, lucky profound expletives etc, etc. We did try very hard to relocate it as Bernie seemed to think after it flew it appeared to drop somewhere near Grove road south of the Boat House but, we along with Sue Morton were unsuccessful. Loads of hirrundines about today, mostly high up in the blue sunny skies, several Linnets atop bushes around the reserve and plenty of Meadow Pipits and Skylarks scattered around. A single fly over Yellow Wagtail, 4 Grey Herons, 2 Common Buzzards and 9 Hobbies were the best of the rest.

Drake Wheatear along Harrison's in the field where we DIPPED Stone Curlew

Swallow

male Marsh Harrier with red wing tags

male Marsh Harrier with no wing tags

the Lesser Black-backed Gulls remain ever present on the Ramp pool

 

Listening for Crakes

The week while I was working was a very sunny time with some decent birds turning up in the valley then, along comes Friday and the weather turns with cloud covered skies strong winds and lots of rain typical, the weekend upon us and bird looks to be difficult. I checked the BBC weather for the evening and, in contrast, it showed a very clear night with full moon and wind speeds of no more than 7 mph so, with this in mind I arrived at Grove Ferry five minutes past 1.00am and set about wandering the marsh in the dark listening for Crakes (mainly), Warblers and Owls. Now, those who know me might think how’s a deaf idiot like me supposed to hear a Crake when I have trouble hearing conversation of those around me? Well, as it so happens I come equipped with ‘The Atherstone Reflector MK3’ 20” parabolic dish kindly given to me by the great Gambian birder Clive Barlow, coupled with a directional microphone and minidisc recorder enabling me to hear for quite some distance. Unfortunately no Crakes, Reelers or Owls (Long-eared specifically) were heard although I had some great Nightingale and Sedge Warbler arias. As well as Sedge and Nightingale there were tens, if not hundreds of Marsh Frogs singing, Cuckoo, Redshank, Bittern and Water Rail as well as Thrushes, Wrens, Lapwings and Skylarks all in fine voice. When dawn broke and I was joined by Sue Morton we wandered the reserve noting 12 Cetti’s Warbler, 5 Shelduck, 5 Canada Geese, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Turtle Doves, 8 Marsh Harriers, 2 Grey Herons, several Blackcaps and Whitethroats as well as 21 Mute Swans, A Wood Sandpiper and a Ruff were on the field beside Harrison’s hide while at Marsh hide there were 2 more Ruff and 2 Greenshank. A few Swallows and Sand Martins were whizzing over the Water Meadows an on the lake at Stodmarsh there were 30 Tufted Ducks, 4 Pochards, 8 Great-crested Grebes, 1 1^st summer Great Black-backed Gull and 44 Shoveler. A single Reed Warbler was chortling alongside the Lampen Wall, a Little Owl was on a fence post at Undertrees Farm before flying into the barn and back at Harrison’s late morning with Mark Chidwick and Adam Faiers at least 40 Swifts passed over, the Ruff and Wood Sandpiper were still present and on the way out there were 2 adult Lesser Black-backed Gulls on the Ramp pool and a Common Buzzard was over Stodmarsh. Another (the usual) Little Owl was on the fallen stump at Stodmarsh Court Farm as I passed towards Collard’s where several hirrundines were feeding low over the lake with Swift, Swallow House and Sand Martin all present. Only managed to snap a Lesser Black-backed Gull today but have included some images from last week as well.

Lesser Black-backed Gull from the Ramp this morning

Lesser Black-backed Gull from the Ramp this morning

Lesser Black-backed Gull from the Ramp this morning

Lesser Black-backed Gull from the Ramp this morning

Very high up Common Buzzard and Marsh Harrier over the Ramp last Sunday(21st)

Very high up Common Buzzards over the Ramp last Sunday(21st)

Female Blackcap 'The Jungle' last Sunday (21st)

 

Spring Has Just Sprung

Saturday 13th

Arriving ridiculously early at Grove Ferry just before 5.15am I was surprised at how light it was becoming at this hour. The Dawn chorus was in (nearly) full swing with Blackbird, Song Thrush, Robin and Dunnock all competing for the best song with Collared Dove, Woodpigeon and even Lapwing and Greylag all taking part. As I walked up on to the Ramp the first migrant was heard with a Sedge Warbler chattering in the reed bed just in front of the Ramp, a little later than last year’s first that turned up un 24^th March. This was the first of 4 Sedge Warblers toady with 2 more along Harrison’s Drove and a fourth near the fishing lakes just before the Alder Wood at Stodmarsh. Only 7 Marsh Harriers were seen leaving this morning with no sign of any Hen Harriers but there were another 6 Marsh Harriers in the air in close(ish) proximity over Stodmarsh later in the morning. The Cetti’s Warblers certainly realise that spring has sprung with 12 singing males heard today and the mighty ears of Chiddy and Adam Faiers picked out a reeling Grasshopper Warbler along Harrison’s Drove not far from the hide (possibly the first in Kent this year???) Alan just catching a burst and me the deafo not getting a whiff!. A Bittern was heard booming very early on and a Green Sandpiper was seen in flight as we walked back down Harrison’s while at Marsh hide where Mr Ashton was in situ there was a Ruff and the first of todays 14 Swallows. Also at Marsh hide were, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 4 Redshank, 7 Wigeon, 1 Dunlin and few Snipe. Two of todays 5 Chiffchaffs were along the Boardwalk between the Alder Wood and the Lampen Wall and over the lake along with Swallows were 5 Sand Martins and 2 House Martins whilst on the lake were 11 Tufted Duck, 7 Pochards and 3 Great-crested Grebes. Only other bits of note were our first Small Tortoiseshell Butterfly near Feast hide late morning, 1 Little Egret, 3 Grey Herons, 40 Redwings, 2 Sparrowhawks and a male Kestrel although 2 more Sand Martins were seen from the Ramp before we headed home.

Sunday 14th

Meeting Chiddy at the Grove entrance gate at 5.20 this morning we were hoping for the promised nice weather and a few more migrants to fill the reserve. Well, the promised weather never came and it remained very cloudy with a strong blustery west south west wind veering south south west by late morning, the sun did try to break through but at best remained a glowing orb behind a blanket of dense misty cloud.  The dawn choristers were belting out their melodies as we got ready and a Woodcock flew over our heads from the Paddock, Rodding. Chiddy heard another, or the same moved, Grasshopper Warbler in front of the Ramp where yesterday’s Sedge Warbler was in fine song. By the time Sue joined us the Sedge and the Gropper had both shut up although another 2 Sedge Warblers were encountered. There were 6 Tufted Duck on the pool with 2 Shelduck, 3 Pochards, 6 Gadwall and 14 Teal. A Little Egret flew over towards the Harrison’s pools and 3 Fieldfare noisily chuntered overhead. Out of the passing Gulls 2 adult Lesser Black-backed Gulls landed on the pool, a Peregrine circled over the Ramp and 3 Linnets flew out of the Bramble at the base of the Ramp. The approach to Harrison’s added a ringtail Hen harrier, from the hide there were 11 Teal, a single Swallow flew by and several Skylarks were in song despite the wind, no sound however, of any Grasshopper Warbler here though, a male Yellowhammer was in song by the ‘White House’.. At Marsh hide there were 3 Yellow Wagtails, 1 Green Sandpiper, 6 Wigeon and 5 Redshanks. Keith Privet and his dad entered the hide and informed us they heard a probable Wood Warbler at the Alder Wood but after a good 45mins to an hour spent searching all we came across were 4 Chiffchaffs, 2 Treecreepers, 6 Chaffinch, 1 Wren and one or two Blue and Great Tits. The lake looked empty and the strong wind meant we gave scanning a miss and the river walk was fruitless as well although crossing paths with the Privets’ again they had added 2 Willow Warblers but, we had no such luck. The Oxbow still has plenty of lying water on it and there were 111 Teal, 10 Wigeon, 17 Shoveler and 12 Lapwings on it. I had a look over Collard’s on the way out and despite being buffeted by the wind I picked out a high Hobby over the industrial estate as it glided towards Stodmarsh and disappeared behind the trees, a quick scan of the lake revealed very few ducks except a few Tufteds and Shoveler but there were still at least 2 brownhead and one drake Goldeneye present. Only photo I managed this weekend was of one of the 3 Firecrests in the Elms at Sandwich at times showing very well and often too close to focus on.

Firecrest

 

Weekend at Bernie's

Or Sunday Morning With Bernie.

Saturday 6^th

Another cold and grey start with Chiddy in the early hours at Grove Ferry where we were joined by Alan Ashdown and later Steve Ashton. We started at the Ramp as usual noting the first of 12 Marsh harriers, a Barn Owl hunting the Paddock and Ramp side fields and 6 Tufted Ducks on the pool. We watched as 5 Hen Harriers made their way east out of the reserve including 1 male and a second male was seen later in the morning. While still on the Ramp a few Lapwings started coming in and 3 adult summer Mediterranean Gulls noisily passed overhead but didn’t stop, 2 Shelduck were on the pool and a nice female Sparrowhawk cruised through, a male and a another two were seen during the morning. On approaching the Marsh hide a flock of some 40+ Redpolls passed over on an eastward passage while from the hide there were 5 Redshanks, 2 more Shelducks, 2 Dunlin, 3 Water Pipits and 13 Snipe. There was, sadly, no sign of yesterday’s Common Crane. On our way round we encountered 5 Cetti’s Warblers and at Stodmarsh lake there were 43 Pochards, 5 Tufted Ducks, 4 Great-crested Grebes, 1 1^st/winter Herring Gull, and 6 Great Black-backed Gulls including 2 adults. A couple of Chiddy’s friends came past as we left Tower hide with little to report from along the river except a single Bittern and a pair Ring-necked Parakeets so, we decided to head back the way we came via Marsh hide. On our approached to Marsh hide Steve spotted the Common Crane flying over the hide and we watched as it landed in a field behind Harrison’s before eventually taking flight again and flying high east.

Common Crane

 

Common Crane

Common Crane

 

Back at the Ramp there were 2 adult Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 26 Linnets flew over and a Common Buzzard drifted east.

Sunday 7^th

Yesterday the temperature was plus 3 degrees this morning however it was minus 3 with a heavy ground frost and a layer of ice on the cars. The clear night sky started to cloud over during the breaking dawn but eventually broke to a beautiful sunny day, yippee, the first for a long time. Chiddy and I were on the Ramp at 5.50am being joined by Bernie Weight and Sue Morton a little later. One of the first birds in the notebook today was a Water Rail screaming from the main pool although another 2 were seen at Marsh hide later and a further 2 heard. Only 3 Cetti’s Warblers were encountered today but, we did only get as far as Marsh hide before turning back. Marsh Harriers noted today were only eight but once again there were 6 Hen Harriers, only this time there was one male and 5 ringtails. Two Barn Owls were seen with the usual very white bird hunting around Middle Drove whilst a very nice dark winged bird flew past us while on the Ramp At 6.35am a noisy flock of 43 Waxwings flew close to the Ramp heading east towards the boathouse and beyond, most unexpected! There was a nice male Yellowhammer at the bottom of Harrison’s Drove near the ‘White House’ but very little else was noted until we reached Marsh hide except a lone Sparrowhawk. On the approach to Marsh hide the Common Crane could be seen standing in the pool to the left of the hide but was not viewable from within the hide. There were 4 Redshanks outside the hide as well as 22 Snipe a pair of Bearded Tits and 13 Water Pipits (as counted by Phil Bereat. The Common Crane eventually walked out from its hiding place giving some fantastic views in the sunshine but, as the hide started to fill with paparazzi we felt it was time to leave.

Common Crane

 

Common Crane

Common Crane

 

We walked to the gate at the end of Middle Drove in hope the Crane would fly past but only 2 Little Egrets di and on leaving Mr Ashton there to wait Sue Chiddy and I headed for Trenleypark Woods. No sign of the desired Lesser-spotted Woodpecker here but we did have a nice Red Kite drifting high over to the east whilst 4 Common Buzzards and a Kestrel were also noted. A Little Owl was at Stodmarsh Court Farm and several parties Chaffinches were seen flying east.

Red Kite

The Easter Bunny is Dead

Over the past few weeks the weekend weather has been absolutely atrocious with freezing easterly winds lots of snow showers and no sunshine at all. There has been no migrants of note and the birding in the Stour Valley has remained static for much of the time although an Avocet did drop in on the 24^th and numbers of Redshank and Black-tailed Godwits started to increase.

Avocet with 14 of 16 Black-tailed Godwits on 24/03/13

The Water Pipits have dropped from there high numbers in the 20’s to just five over the Easter weekend but there still remains a large number of winter Thrushes in the area. A couple of days when I didn’t bird, I was able to take down my aviaries and break up copious amounts of concrete in our garden where we found three small Slow Worms presumably a nest of youngsters.

Fieldfare

Fieldfare

Redwing in the Snow

Redwing

Redwing

Slow Worm

There still appears to be six Hen Harriers in the Valley including 2 adult males, 1 1st year male and 1 adult female, a Barn Owl that hunts the fields between the road and the Ramp and between 8 and 12 Marsh Harriers. The Easter weekend didn’t really produce much and on Sunday I made a trip down to Samphire Hoe to see the female Bluethroat that had taken up residence, picking up Alan Ashdown from home as he’d never seen one before and meeting Sue Morton at Grove before heading of in my car.

Bluethroat female at Samphire Hoe Dover

Bluethroat female at Samphire Hoe Dover

 

 

n the morning of the 1^st April I met Chiddy at the entrance and we started as ever on the Ramp to watch the Harriers out of roost and note anything else that might have turned up overnight or may pass through. At 6.25am after a Marsh Harrier had been seen and we were Watching the Barn Owl hunt I noticed a bird gliding across the reed in front of the Ramp and called Hen Harrier to get Chiddy on and we soon realised this was no Harrier but a female Goshawk. The bird alighted a gate post in the field beside the Ramp about 800 yards out and, despite the rather dim dawn light, we were able to note the fine barring on the heavy barrelled chest, the rather prominent supercilium, the strongly barred slightly rounded tail and just make out the hint of yellow in the eye. Other than this bird the day was fairly mundane with hardly any Ducks on the lake at Stodmarsh, no waders except 24 Dunlin and 4 Ringed Plovers at Marsh hide. We were joined by Richard Hoult, a friend of mine from Ramsgate who lives in Lancashire with his girlfriend and visits family in Thanet a few times in the year, and he’d not seen Penduline Tit before so some time was spent watching this splendid bird as it prized small grubs from the heads of Greater Reedmace at Stodmarsh

Penduline Tit

Penduline Tit

Penduline Tit

Penduline Tit

Robin behind us at the Penduline Tit

 

It has come to my attention that one or two people are starting doubt the sightings I have here in the valley and tarring me with the name of stringer! So from now on I won’t bother reporting any sightings on the pagering or twittering type machines and will just post a diary entry and any photos obtained on the blog as and when I see fit to do so.

Marsh Harrier male over Stodmarsh

Snipe at Restharrow Scrape Sandwich on the way to work before light!!

 

Dozy But No Dwarves

 

 

Chiddy was asleep in his car when I arrived at 5.30 this morning but a quick blast of Pink Floyd soon brought him round and after a brief catch up we made headway for the Ramp to the ever ascending dawn chorus to be joined by Alan a short while later. A Woodcock flew over as we put on our boots and from the Ramp in the morning’s gloomy cloud and fog filled sky with early drizzle we noted 1 Barn Owl, 2 Shelduck a trickle of Marsh Harriers that eventually reached 8, the first of 4 Cetti’s Warblers  becoming more vocal the first of 2 Bitterns, the second bird with Mr A at Reedbed hide and just 16 Mute Swans out. There were 4 Water Rail around the reserve, 2 Black-tailed Godwits, 1 Redshank, 1000+ Lapwings, 5 Dunlin, 2 Little Egrets and 4 Grey Herons.  There were 3 Tufted Duck from the Ramp, 7 at Feast hide and a further 5 on the lake at Stodmarsh. The Oxbow held 92 Wigeon while the Water Meadows had just a handful of Teal although a flock of Waders flew north over us containing 16 Golden Plovers and a single Ruff. The Lake at Stodmarsh was very quiet and the 5 Tufties aside there were 39 Pochards 2 Great-crested Grebes and 3 Great Black-backed Gulls (1 adult and 2 1^st winters). Meeting Steve Ashton on the board walk by the Alder Wood where there was no sign of the Penduline Tit we headed for Reedbed hide for breakfast. Sue Morton saw a ringtail Hen Harrier enroute to Marsh hide and 3 Siskins in the Alder Wood and Alan, Chiddy and I watched at least 23 Snipe and 24+ Water Pipits from Marsh hide as we passed through where we also added  another 60 Wigeon and the only Kestrel of the day. The three of us met up with Sue at the Ramp where there was nothing new to add but on leaving the wet fields beside the road at the Grove entrance had a small feeding party of birds that included 11 Pied Wagtails, 1 White Wagtail, 1 Dunnock and 1 Meadow Pipit.

Pied Wagtail

White Wagtail

 

During the week after I’d finished work I noticed the imprint of a Pigeon/Dove on my bedroom window and managed a half decent photo. Any who may be interested in the GT6 restoration , I have now started a second separate blog about it here http://triumphgt61968restoration.blogspot.co.uk/  

Ghost of a Pigeon/Dove

 

Knot a Lot

 

Saturday 2^nd

An early start in the Valley this morning meant hearing the Grey Partridge at its usual spot at 5.45am before taking opposition on the Ramp where a large number of Lapwings could be made out in the growing light. Soon joined by Chiddy and Alan we added Cetti’s Warbler of which 3 were encountered on today’s journey, 11 Marsh Harriers, 1800 Lapwings (all at the Ramp with more at Marsh hide and the Grazing Marsh), 1 Redshank, 8 Dunlin, 3 Grey Herons, 1 male Hen Harrier and 57 Mute Swans. There were 2 Little Egrets present plus 1 Kingfisher, 2 Sparrowhawks 28 Gadwall and 9 Tufted Duck from Feast hide. Harrison’s hide was, as expected, void of avian life apart from a flyover Bittern and the road walk on the Valley boundary added several Goldfinch and Chaffinch, a few Fieldfares but little else while at the orchards at the bottom of Middle Drove held a Little Owl. The route to Marsh hide revealed only 2 Common Snipe and Lapwings aside there were only 4 Greylags to be seen there however, on leaving the hide a smart male Hen Harrier (2^nd bird) floated past followed soon after by a solitary ringtail. Very little of note through the Alder Wood except a couple of parties of Long-tailed Tits and a few Blue & Great Tits before arrival at Reedbed hide where the only birds to be seen were 1 Tufted Duck and 6 Teal. Joined at Reedbed hide by Tim Gutsel and Steve Ashton before heading back through the Alder Wood and on to the Nature Trail where we connected immediately with the resident Penduline Tit before making our way along the Lampen Wall. On the lake were 12 Common Gulls, 92 Black-headed Gulls, 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 29 Gadwall, 2 Great-crested Grebes, 12 Tufted Ducks and 49 Pochards. Passing through the Jungle there were 4 Bullfinches and on the Water Meadows Chiddy found a Knot (new bird for the year and very scarce here). On the Grazing Marsh there were 7 Water Pipits while the Oxbow held 247 Wigeon, 107 Black-headed Gulls and 266 Lapwings. Also today were 1 Kestrel, 3 Water Rails, a further 6 Snipe and at Collard’s at least 2 drake and 1 brownhead Goldeneye on a quick scan while soaring overhead were 2 Common Buzzards and 2 Mistle Thrushes were in the field.

Sunday 3^rd

The Grey Partridge was again calling at its usual spot at Grove Ferry this morning where I met Chiddy at 5.45 before we parked up and made our way to the Ramp where we were joined by Bernie. In a similar scenario to yesterday there were at least 1600 Lapwings from the Ramp with a further 5-600 seen around the reserve, there also 4 Dunlin and 1 Redshank from the Ramp. A Shelduck was on the Ramp pool but flew up valley early and just 9 Marsh Harriers were seen although a Barn Owl came from behind hunting over the reeds before heading along the southern border of the reserve before turning inland and then down towards Marsh hide. There were 60 Mute Swans out of roost, 380+ Cormorants, 1 Little Egret, 4 Grey Herons, 3 Linnets and the call of the first of 3 Water Rails. Feast hide bore only 25 Teal, 2 Greylags and 2 Coots and, missing out Harrison’s, we took the river path to Stodmarsh. The Oxbow had 302 Wigeon, the Grazing Marsh held 14 Water Pipits and at the Water Meadows there was no sign of yesterday’s Knot but, there was a single Green Sandpiper and 18 Black-headed Gulls. On the lake at Stodmarsh there were26 Tufted Ducks, 60 Pochards, 75 Black-headed Gulls, 1 Common Gull and 1 Great-crested Grebe with a Sparrowhawk over. The Penduline Tit was still in residence and showed well at times while 30 Siskins entered the Alder Wood and a Tawny Owl called a couple of times around 9.45am. Little of note from Marsh hide except 4 Pied Wagtails and as we passed the back of the Oxbow a ringtail Hen Harrier cruised through and back at the Ramp the only additions were 3 Snipe.

Penduline stil in residence