April 2008
Grove and Stodmarsh.
18/04/08
A Sedge Warbler over the reed bed at Stodmarsh today.
A visit to both ends of the reserve today, in an uncomfortable easterly wind produced 2 Ring Plovers, a Dunlin and 3 Ruff from the ramp, the same 3 Ruff joined me at the Harrison’s Drove pool, along with 1 Green Sandpiper and 5 Pied Wagtails, and the Turf Field hide had 12 Tufted Duck, 2 Pochard and little else. Several Common Snipe flew past the hide, and 2 Marsh harriers kept my attention for a while. I decided to drive to Stodmarsh, and take cover in the Alder wood, where several Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs were there to greet me. A Willow warbler was also seen, as were 4 Long-tailed tits, several of the usual Blue and Great Tits, Greenfinch and Chaffinch, 5 Tree Creepers, and 2 short bursts of a Nightingales song, was heard from deep in the undergrowth on the corner, at the entrance to the Reed Bed Hide entrance track. Other birds of note during the day were Green and Great-spotted Woodpecker, Sedge Warbler, Linnet and Bullfinch. Not a day for photo’s, but the sound of the Nightingale is encouraging. Roll on Spring.