Just Fledged: Stodmarsh NNR with the Ashdown Bird Group

Sunday 18^th May 2025

Stodmarsh NNR, Kent

Ashdown Bird Group

(11 members present)

Trip Report

This was an excellent turnout for our longest day trip of the year. When we arrived, it was dry and rather chilly, but the sun eventually came out!

We took our usual, clockwise route, calling in at the Reedbed Hide, Tower Hide and stopping for lunch at the Viewpoint before returning to the car park via Feast’s Hide and Marsh Hide.

We recorded a very impressive 70 bird species. Today's headlines were made by a stellar visiting bird and a fantastic support cast.

Support Cast

We could hear booming Bitterns from the outset, and this continued for the duration of our stay. To top it all off, one gave superb views as it flew north over the reeds to the right of the Reedbed Hide.

Courtesy of Alison Playle

Swifts put on a tremendous show today. They flew high above us in their scores, providing a vibrant aerial setting, in sharp contrast to the situation back in Sussex, where numbers to date have been disappointing.

Courtesy of Alison Playle

Hobbies are a staple summer visitors here at Stodmarsh, and today, they again graced us with their presence. They were somewhat distant at first, but we got closer and better views as the day progressed.

Courtesy of Patrick Sullivan

Cuckoos sounded off throughout our stay and gave good, if brief, views at regular intervals.

There was no such problem with the Marsh Harriers, which were all too willing to display their charms.

Courtesy of Martin Jeffree

Beavers are a feature at Stodmarsh. Obviously, we didn't see any during our stay but there was plenty of evidence of their presence, as shown in Martin's photograph below.

Courtesy of Martin Jeffree

We heard and saw several Reed Warblers and the more photogenic Sedge Warblers, particularly from the path between the Reedbed Hide and the Tower Hide.

Sedge Warbler - courtesy of Alison Playle

Red-footed Falcon

A Red-footed Falcon was reported here at Stodmarsh a couple of days ago and we were hoping it would stay around for our visit. Thankfully, it did, and boy, did we get a treat!

As we walked between the Reedbed Hide and the Tower Hide, Ian spotted the falcon flying over the trees from where we had just come. This seemed to be our first sighting of the bird - but was it? John had earlier called a Kestrel sighting at the Reedbed Hide but was puzzled by some unusual colouration. On reflection, he now thought it was this Red-footed Falcon.

There was no need to worry because, at lunchtime, the bird gave us prolonged views from the Viewpoint as it moved around a distant tree with a group of Hobbies. Everyone had ample time to view the scene and spot the obvious lighter coloured bird among the darker coloured Hobbies and there was no confusion about the ID.

Despite the long distance, Phil got this lovely record shot.

Courtesy of Phil Aylen

For most of us, this was the second Red-footed Falcon sighting of the week, as another was seen at Weir Wood Reservoir in Sussex. How lucky can one get?

Other Bird Sightings of Interest

This drake Garganey was the latest bird to be reported here. It was one of a pair seen from Marsh Hide near the end of our visit.

Courtesy of Phil Aylen

This Greenshank was also seen from Marsh Hide

Courtesy of Phil Aylen

On the was to Marsh Hide, Sue spotted a Cattle Egret associating with the cows in the distance. Later on, as we headed back to the car park, Alison spotted another flying across the fields.

Courtesy of Phil Aylen

Cetti's Warblers were blasting out their call all over the reserve, and unusually, today they decided to show themselves. We saw at least four today. They were very brief appearances but Phil was quick off the mark to snap this beauty.