STEVE ASHTON'S WILDLIFE GALLERY

My Diary

East instead of West.

Arriving early at Grove ferry this morning, I went to the Feast hide and upon opening the door, I was met with a blanket of reeds, obscuring all of the view from every window, so I aborted my trip and returned to my car. Normally my route takes me westward through the reserve to Stodmarsh, but as the reserve is not very bird watcher/photography friendly at the moment, a decision was called for, and I decided to walk Eastward for a change, following the Little Stour where I eventually reached the small hamlet of West Stourmouth, and then retracing my footsteps back to the car. What a refreshing change to see most of the arable land put to work, with cereal crops, but leaving a small area of set aside around each field perimeter, enhancing the local wildlife. Also there was a few fields left to grow wild, creating a feeding station for Yellowhammer, Corn Bunting, Green and Goldfinch as well as Linnet, reed Bunting and Dunnock. All of the fore mentioned birds were seen in high numbers. I saw 6 Marsh Harriers in the air together, mostly youngsters, 2 with their hideous red wing tags, (where do I report this sighting so the taggers can work out that they have travelled all of 2 miles) and a Barn Owl was seen back towards the ramp at Grove. I noted 2 Willow Warblers, at least 30 Common Whitethroats, and heard a Turtle Dove purring over towards Preston. I watched an Adult Kestrel teaching 2 youngsters the art of pouncing on an object. They repeatedly swooped down from the wires, to the ground, catching nothing, but I assume it was just practice for the real thing later on in their life. It was quite amusing to watch. There were several Grey Herons along the Little Stour, a Green Sandpiper was feeding in a mud patch and a Common Tern was fishing along the main river. A welcome change enforced on me by the diminishing viewing areas on the main reserve, and if things remain the same at Grove, then a new local patch will be required. A shame really.