April 2008
Grove ferry and Stodmarsh Revisited.
27/04/08
A Reed Warbler in the reed bed in front of the Marsh hide.
With the forecasters predicting rain, which never appeared, I decided on another morning at Grove ferry, although a slightly later and reasonable start time today. I met Martyn, Marc and Allan on the ramp, after stopping for a few minutes to watch a fox wandering around the paddock area, and Pete Solly joined us a little later. Only one new year tick today, but what a smart looking bird, We met Sue Morton at the Harrison’s Drove hide, who pointed us in the direction of a stunning looking Male Whinchat, the first time I have seen a Male in the Spring. Usually I see the departing birds, passing through in the Autumn, but this showy individual looked great in its breeding attire. Also along side it in the new scrapes behind the Harrison’s hide, was a Female Wheatear, with a few Skylark picked out as we were watching these two birds. Only 2 Hobbies along our walk of the full circuit today, and the Grasshopper Warbler was in fine voice, and was seen as we walked up the Middle Drove lane. Super lugs Marc, as we have now named him, heard the distant call of a Yellowhammer, and sure enough at the far end of the lane a Yellowhammer was spotted. (Not sure if he could tell a Beatles song from a Stones song, but he’s spot on with the bird noises). The Stodmarsh end turned up the same as yesterday, and waders were represented by 1 Ring and 2 Little Ringed Plovers, 2 Ruff, and 2 Greenshank from Harrison’s. I heard Turtle Dove and Lesser Whitethroat in the Paddock on the way in to the reserve. 6 Marsh Harriers, 2 Sparrow-hawks and a Kestrel were noted on our trip around the reserve.