14/06/2015 Stodmarsh Visit with East Grinstead RSPB Group

Sunday 14th June 2015
RSPB Stodmarsh near Canterbury, Kent

10 members of the East Grinstead RSPB Group made the long journey into north east Kent to spend an enjoyable day at Stodmarsh.  Conditions were excellent with no wind and temperatures approaching 19C. 

The highlights included:-

• The target bird for the day was the Turtle Dove and we were lucky to get great views of one of the three known to be there.  The scope view of the one seen deep in the heart of a tree at the Grove Ferry end was quite superb and extensive.

• During lunch at the mound (viewpoint ) we were fortunate to enjoy 4 juvenile Bearded Tits as they flew around in front of us and then settled in the reeds barely 10 metres away.  Shortly afterwards we were given a repeat performance - much to the delight of all present.

• From the same point we also had the good fortune to find 2 close Cuckoo's in the trees 20 metres away.  We had heard them from the start of our visit and then caught sight of them but this was in a different league!  We had time to study all the ID features and enjoy the beauty of this species.

• From this same vantage point we were also given a rare treat of 5 or 6 Sedge Warblers displaying their elegance in the reeds directly in front of us.

• There were at least a couple of Hobbies showing high above us - always a pleasure to see.

• No trip to Stodmarsh would be complete without seeing the Marsh Harriers and this trip was no exception with several seen around the reserve.

A superb day out with a species count in excess of 50 - priceless!



Today's Species List:-

Gadwall

Shoveler

Mallard
Tufted Duck
Pochard
Great Crested Grebe
Cormorant
Little Egret
Grey Heron
Marsh Harrier   (10)
Common Buzzard
Kestrel
Hobby
Water Rail heard
Moorhen
Coot
Lapwing
Black-headed Gull
Herring Gull
Lesser Black-backed Gull   (20)
Common Tern
Stock Dove
Woodpigeon
Collared Dove
Turtle Dove
Cuckoo
Swift
Green Woodpecker
Skylark
Swallow   (30)
Pied Wagtail
Wren
Dunnock

Robin

Blackbird
Song Thrush
Cetti’s Warbler Sedge Warbler
Reed Warbler Blackcap   (40)
Garden Warbler heard
Whitethroat
Chiffchaff
Willow Warbler
Bearded Tit
Long-tailed Tit
Blue Tit
Great Tit
Jay
Magpie   (50)
Carrion Crow
Starling

House Sparrow

Chaffinch

Goldfinch
Bullfinch

Reed Bunting