Stodmarsh NNR with the East Grinstead RSPB Group

Sunday 21^st April 2024

Stodmarsh NNR

East Grinstead RSPB Local Group

(15 members present)

This was another excellent turn out, despite the long journey and the adverse weather conditions.  When we arrived it was dry and overcast but the northerly wind meant it was very cold.  Unfortunately things got worse as the day went on when it started to rain.  This did not stop us from making the most of the conditions and we recorded a very impressive 56 bird species.

There were several highlights:-

• Bird of the day was the hobby that flew close to us and lingered just long enough for Phil to get some images.

Courtesy of Phil Aylen

Courtesy of Phil Aylen

• We saw our first swifts of the year from the Reedbed Hide

Courtesy of Patrick Sullivan

• 2 cattle egrets were in among the cows

Courtesy of Patrick Sullivan

• It was nice to see greylag geese with their chicks.

Courtesy of Alison Playle

Courtesy of Martin Jeffree

• Blackcaps stole the show at the start of the day in the car park area.

Courtesy of Phil Aylen

• Among the other sightings was my first reed warbler of the year.  There was also a booming bittern.

It was a tad early in the season for cuckoo and turtle dove and only 2 hobbies were seen.  When we return here in May I expect to see these birds.

A really good day out!

2024 species count=160