Stodmarsh NNR with the Ashdown Bird Group

                                                                   Trip Report

Sunday 17^th May 2026

Stodmarsh NNR, Kent

Ashdown Bird Group

(9 members present)

A cracking day out at Stodmarsh National Nature Reserve with the Ashdown Bird Group on Sunday, and proof once again that weather forecasts are best treated with a healthy degree of suspicion! Three separate apps confidently predicted rain for most of the day, yet somehow we managed to stay dry from start to finish and enjoyed excellent birding conditions throughout.

Nine of us made the trip over to one of Kent’s finest reserves and, as always, Stodmarsh delivered in style. Reedbeds alive with birdsong, booming Bitterns echoing across the marshes, Hobbies slicing through the skies, and Cuckoos calling from all directions created the sort of atmosphere that makes spring birding so addictive.

The day began with a slight change of plan after hearing that a local birder had briefly seen — and more importantly heard — a Savi’s Warbler near Marsh Hide. Naturally, we gave it a go, pausing hopefully at every promising patch of reeds, but the bird clearly had other ideas and remained hidden all day. Still, that sense of anticipation added a little extra excitement to the morning.

Bitterns stole the show on more than one occasion. The best moment came over lunch at Grove Ferry when one flew steadily across in full view, giving everyone plenty of time to get binoculars and cameras onto it. Those slow, heavy wingbeats over the reeds are unforgettable. Another bird later crossed low in front of Tower Hide, although a few members searching outside for Bearded Tits were left desperately trying to get back inside in time!

Courtesy of Andrew Burns

Talking of Bearded Tits, we managed a few brief but pleasing views as they flicked through the reeds before vanishing again almost immediately. Typical Bearded Tits.

If Bitterns ruled the reeds, Hobbies ruled the skies. At least ten birds were hunting over the reserve during the day, twisting and swooping effortlessly as they chased insects. They were almost constantly in view and impossible to ignore. One bird even took a short break in a distant tree, allowing us to appreciate it in a slightly less frantic setting.

Courtesy of Andrew Burns

Cuckoos provided the soundtrack for much of the day, their calls drifting across the reserve wherever we walked. Unlike many trips where they remain frustratingly unseen, this time we enjoyed several really good sightings too.

Courtesy of Phil Aylen

One of the nicest surprises came right at the end of the visit. While we were in Tower Hide, four probable Turtle Doves suddenly shot past low along the water’s edge. The whole encounter lasted only seconds, but it was enough to get pulses racing, given how scarce the species has become at Stodmarsh. We never managed to relocate them afterwards, but sometimes those brief encounters are the ones that stick in the memory the longest.

Elsewhere, there was plenty to enjoy: Marsh Harriers drifting over the reeds, Cattle Egrets among the grazing cattle, Common Terns around the rafts, and a steady stream of Swifts overhead, reminding us that summer has properly arrived. Reed and Sedge Warblers sang constantly, while a surprisingly obliging Cetti’s Warbler even posed long enough for some excellent photographs.

Marsh Harrier - courtesy of Alison Playle

Cattle Egret - courtesy of Martin Jeffree

Sedge Warbler - courtesy of Alison Playle

Reed Warbler - courtesy of Mark Tomlins

Cetti's Warbler - courtesy of Phil Aylen

And it wasn’t just about the birds. Damselflies, moths and other wildlife added extra colour to the day, helping make Stodmarsh feel wonderfully alive from start to finish.

Male Azure Damselfly - courtesy of Alison Playle

Drinker Moth Caterpillar - courtesy of Ian Hodgson

By the end we had recorded nearly 60 species and, more importantly, enjoyed another thoroughly relaxed and entertaining day in excellent company. Huge thanks to Martin for organising the trip and to Alison, Andrew, Ian, Mark, Martin and Phil for providing such brilliant photographs from the day.

New species for the 2026 Year List:

164  Turtle Dove