Booming Bitterns, Turtle Doves, Hobbies and Bearded Tits

Saturday 22nd May 2021

Stodmarsh NNR, near Canterbury, Kent

East Grinstead RSPB Local Group

For our first full-day outing since lockdown ended, we made the long trip to the outskirts of Canterbury to visit Stodmarsh NNR.  The weather was awful when we set off from Sussex, got even worse as we moved into Kent but, thankfully, it eased by the time we arrived at the reserve. Incredibly, our luck held and we enjoyed fine weather throughout the course of the day with only a hint of rain late afternoon.  The birds took advantage of the improving weather and came out to play, providing us with a super birding experience.

However, only 4 of us made the trip.  4 members cried off on the day, a few were on other trips and several regulars were still not ready to re-commence birding in groups. For the lucky 4, the reserve was almost deserted and we had a the run of the place for long periods of time.  No worries about social distancing here today!

• Bitterns were booming regularly from the start but I was not picking up the sound.  Finally, I was in a position to hear them - much to my relief and the amusement of the other 3 members.
• Hobbies are a staple here at this time of year.  We had at least 12 excellent sightings all over the reserve - mainly of the bird in flight but on one occasion we enjoyed a close view of one perched on a post.

courtesy of Steve Elks and Facebook

                                                   courtesy of Michael Linklater and Facebook

• I saw my first Bearded Tits for nearly 2 years when Martin picked up on a couple showing well from the Reedbed Hide.
• Our primary target species was Turtle Dove and here too we were in luck.  We heard at least 2 as we walked beside the banks of the Great Stour, before seeing one as we veered to the right to follow the footpath to the Viewpoint for lunch.  The movement that we picked up in the trees turned out to be just a Woodpigeon but Martin noticed another static bird perched in the same tree which turned out to be the Turtle Dove.  We had ample time to set up our scopes and enjoy splendid views. After 2 failed attempts to see this species at the Knepp Estate, I was particularly pleased with this sighting.

                                                      courtesy of Michael Linklater and Facebook

• Cuckoos are another favourite here in May and their sound was as ubiquitous as that of the booming Bitterns.  We also had a couple of excellent sightings - one from the Reedbed Hide as the bird flew to and fro between some trees and another as we walked along the river bank where 2 birds flew across the path.

courtesy of Alan Collins and Facebook

• We had great fun sorting out the differences between the sounds made by the Reed and Sedge Warblers.  Thankfully we made several sightings to back up our efforts.
• Similarly we heard then saw several Garden Warblers and Blackcaps.
• We saw plenty of Swifts as well as House Martins, Sand Martins and Swallows of course.
• Common Terns were present in decent numbers.

courtesy of Michael Linklater and Facebook

• The inevitable Marsh Harriers looked majestic as they flew low over the reedbeds.

                                                                courtesy of Michael Linklater and Facebook

• We even found a Marsh Frog asleep in the soggy vegetation, a few metres away, as we watched from the Marsh Hide.  These are huge - over 10 cm long!

                                                             courtesy of Michael Linklater and Facebook

All in all we saw over 60 species during our stay - a great reward for gambling with the weather!

I have to say there has been some sterling work done on the hides at this reserve since last I visited - very impressive!