May 2008
May goes out with a bang.
31/05/08
A distant Red Kite passing over Stodmarsh this afternoon.
Over indulgence from a night out last night, meant that I missed a call from Marc Heath early this morning, alerting me to a Whiskered Tern at Grove Ferry. Never having seen one of these, I cursed my luck, and got on with my intended chores for the day. Martyn then phoned me, early this afternoon, telling me the Whiskered Tern was feeding over Collards Lake, just West of Stodmarsh. I was there within 10 minutes, and immediately picked out the Whiskered Tern, in amongst 7 or 8 Common Terns. Great a new life tick, but then a Female Red Footed Falcon appeared, briefly, and was seen on 3 occasions throughout my stay, a second life tick for me. Hobbies were seen in large numbers, with at least 20 in the air together, 3 Common Buzzards were seen high up over Stodmarsh, and a young Male Montagu’s Harrier passed through, flying Westward. Just after the Montagu’s Harrier was seen, a Red Kite was seen, also flying Westward, before changing direction and flying Northwards over Westbere. A great afternoon, and not many of my afternoons have had Whiskered Tern, Montagu’s Harrier, Common Buzzard, Red Kite and Red Footed Falcon on the day list. Thanks to Martyn and Marc for telephoning me and letting me know of the Tern. Sorry about the poor photo of the Red Kite, it was all I could manage.