April 2008
Grove ferry and Stodmarsh.
26/04/08
One of several Hobbies seen throughout the morning at Grove ferry.
A rare early start for me today, as I entered the Grove ferry reserve just after 4.00 a.m. Marc Heath was already there, and I met Martyn Wilson and Allan Ashdown as we walked along the entrance path. We started on the ramp, where we were shown pictures of two Orange Billed Terns seen yesterday by Allan, over the main lake at Stodmarsh. Although his pictures were a little distant, the Bill colour could clearly be made out, and Allan said that the birds were notably larger than a Common Tern. Martyn has taken the pictures to try and secure an i.d. After a while on the ramp, we decided to walk the full circuit, starting along the river bank, where the full dawn chorus had to be heard to fully appreciate it. The sun slowly appeared, bathing the whole reserve in sun light, and Nightingale, Blackcap, Whitethroat, Wren, Collard and Turtle Dove, Robin and Blackbirds were constantly trying to out do one and another, in full voice as we walked the river bank to Stodmarsh. Sedge and Reed Warblers were plentiful, chattering away in the reed beds, showing well at times, and Cetti’s Warblers were seen and heard every 3 or 4 minutes. Two Bullfinches were seen, a Male and a Female, and over the main lake were several Common Terns, but sadly Allan’s Orange Billed Terns from yesterday were not re located. All the usual Wild fowl were present, and several pairs of Great Crested Grebes were deep into there courtship rituals. The Alder wood was strangely quiet, with Great Spotted and Green Woodpecker being seen, and a few Blackcaps being about the best of the rest. The Stodmarsh car park turned up my first Garden Warbler of the year, and we listened, noting the slight warble, differing it from the many previous Blackcaps we had heard in song. On to the Marsh hide, where we added a stunning Male Wheatear and a Grey Heron to the list, with a Male Marsh Harrier giving superb views as it flew in front of the hide. Bird of the day was picked up by the astute ears of Marc, who first heard the telltale sound of a Grasshopper Warbler reeling, and as we followed its calling, we were treated to some great if somewhat distant views of this elusive warbler, as it went about its business, along a row of bushes not far from the Marsh Hide. The Harrison’s hide held very little, and the usual Meadow Pipits and Pied Wagtails were added to our day list. We ended the day back on the ramp, with several Hobbies, and a Kestrel keeping us entertained, and a new year tick was added in the shape of a Little Ringed Plover, soon joined by another one, a Greenshank, (another new year tick), and a solitary Ringed Plover. An excellent morning, with 7 new year ticks added, including several Cuckoo’s seen around our walk and several Swifts flying overhead. A distant Bittern was periodically heard, booming on and off throughout the morning.