No BW Stilt but plenty of Hobby at Stodmarsh & Grove Ferry

Male Marsh Harrier.

I called over to Grove Ferry & Stodmarsh yesterday lunch time the 12th May and i was hoping to see the Black Winged Stilt that has been seen recently , i checked out the viewing ramp and there was no sign of it from here , whilst here another birder picked out a distant Osprey which looked like it was over the main lake at Stodmarsh , distant views was all i got but a welcome bonus and year tick indeed.

Osprey taken in 2012 also at Stodmarsh.

There was a pair of Garganey out on the pool in front of the ramp plus several Mallard & a single Shoveler.

Record shot of the male Garganey.

I decided to head to Stodmarsh and on my way back to the car a Nightingale burst into song right near the path accompanied by a "Purring " Turtle Dove both birds remained unseen but were a joy to hear.

By the time i got to Stodmarsh the Osprey had moved on , however there were lots of Hobby on the wing , very hard to count as they seemed to be everywhere , so a very conservative count of 30+ birds was made.

Hobby.

I continued my walk  around to the Water meadows but alas there was no sign of the Black Winged Stilt here either , i did hear and then see Lesser Whitethroat which was a new bird for the year for me , i saw 2 male Blackcaps plus several glimpses of Cetti's Warblers , Marsh Harriers were busy going to and throw with food in their talons , good supply of Marsh Frogs here.

Male Marsh Harrier with a Marsh Frog in his talons.

Really enjoyable birding session here today with lots of migrants to keep you on your toes including " screaming " Common Swifts overhead.

"Screaming" Common Swifts.