STEVE ASHTON'S WILDLIFE GALLERY

February 2008

Stodmarsh.

I spent the morning at Stodmarsh , enjoying bright sunshine with a warm Spring like temperature. Most of the time was spent on the Lampern wall, down the river end, in amongst the dense undergrowth. A varied species list was obtained, with Long-tailed, Great and Blue Tits in large numbers. I also noted 5 Goldcrest, and a Firecrest by the lake hide, although I only had a fleeting glance as it passed through the thick undergrowth. I remained in the area for over an hour, but sadly could not re locate the bird. Also noted were at least 5 Tree Creepers, several Chaffinches, Robins, Wrens, Dunnock, and 3 Female Bullfinches. I spent an hour in the Alder wood, with most of the previously mentioned species being duplicated, and whilst trying to photograph a Wren, I flushed a Woodcock, which flew out of the Alder wood in the direction of the main lake. A small flock of Siskin’s were seen, and at least 2 Lesser Redpolls were present. On the main lake, a pair of Great Crested Grebes were into there courtship ritual, just a little to far out for a photo, and there were Gadwall, Mallard, Teal with a few Tufted Duck making up the wildfowl count. Six Shell Duck were also counted. The usual Cormorants were Sunning themselves over the back, and there were at least 5 Marsh harriers in the air over the North Western corner of the lake, 2 Males vying for the attention of 3 Females. I spent the last hour with Allan Ashdown, whom I met as I returned along the Lampern wall, but nothing else was added to my list. I encountered 2 Little Owls as I drove into Stodmarsh, this morning, both soaking up the early morning sun on the fallen tree at Cow Corner.