May 2008
Cattle Egret at Cow Corner in the Stour Valley.
26/05/08
Short-Eared Owl, seen last week at Grove Ferry.
I thought the rain would never end today, and as a result, it was not until after 2 o clock this afternoon, before I braved the elements and had a walk around the reserve at Grove Ferry. As expected, it was very quiet, with 2 inches of rain falling in the preceding 10 hours. My first stop was the ramp, where a pair of Oystercatchers were seen, my first in the Stour Valley this year, and something of a rarity on the reserve, with only a few records each year. The Drake Garganey was still present, looking rather sorry for itself in its advanced moult, and bedraggled from the recent downpour. I then walked to the Harrison’s hide, (The Green/Turf Field hide having been knocked down and taken away) where I noted a single Little Ringed Plover, 2 Yellow Wagtails, (my first here for a few weeks,) and I then had a phone call from Martyn Wilson whom had been alerted by Brendan Ryan to a Cattle Egret at Cow Corner. I gathered my gear, and made my way back to my car, when I met Brendan, whom had watched the Cattle Egret fly off towards Fordwich, so I returned with him to the ramp, along with Martyn as they both needed Oystercatcher for there year lists. Whilst back on the ramp, I added a smart looking summer plumaged Dunlin to my list with 3 Ring Plovers, a Ruff and a second Hobby, the first flying around me on the ramp earlier.
Day List. 40. Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, Starling, Wood Pigeon, Wren, Swift, Grey Heron, Blackbird, Sand Martin, Garganey, Shoveller, Tufted Duck, Black-headed Gull, Gadwall, Mallard, Coot, Pied Wagtail, Oyster-catcher, Pochard, Hobby, Sedge Warbler, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Moorhen, Reed Bunting, Bearded Tit, Cormorant, Mute Swan, Great Crested Grebe, Common Tern, Turtle Dove, Yellow Wagtail, Swallow, Lapwing, Herring Gull, Dunlin, Ring Plover, Ruff, Little Ring Plover, Cetti’s Warbler, Linnet.