Stodmarsh & Grove Ferry

                                                                 16th  April  

                                                            GROVE FERRY

              

Sedge Warbler at Grove Ferry.

I really enjoy both Stodmarsh & Grove Ferry in the spring , the sound of newly arrived Sedge & Reed Warblers is a magical sound coming from the reedbeds.

We started at the Grove Ferry end and bird song was in full force starting with 3 Bullfinch along the entrance track, Cetti's, Sedge & Reed Warbler were in abundance all over the reserve, plenty of  Blackcaps & Chiffchaffs in full voice made it a very pleasant walk.

STODMARSH

Male & Female Garganey

After a successful walk around Grove Ferry we headed to Stodmarsh and had superb views of a pair of Garganey in front of the reedbed hide.

On the main lake there were 5 Common Terns making their presence felt , we also had superb views of a pair of Treecreepers near the path, i even attempted to digi-scope them !!!

Treecreeper.

18th April  :  STODMARSH

News of a Purple Heron (Great find by Martyn Wilson) near the Marsh hide had me heading there asap, and to keep a long story short i missed the Purple Heron by a few minutes as it had flown out of view before i got there.

Despite waiting for it's hoped for re-appearance for nearly  2 & half hours it never came back (but did appear later in the afternoon long after i had gone !!!).

We did see some really good birds whilst we waited in vain including a cracking Little Ringed Plover.

Little Ringed Plover.

I also heard my first Cuckoo of the year plus 2 Bittern's were heard 'Booming' , another close view of a male Garganey in front of the hide was most welcome to.

Garganey

On the way back we also saw the Little Owl on the old farm building.

Little Owl.

21st April  :   STODMARSH

Second time Lucky !!!

Purple Heron walking in the reeds.

And some great views of the Purple Heron in flight.

Purple Heron coming into land.

23rd April  :  STODMARSH

New Bird for my Valley Bird List 

1 of  2  Bar Tailed Godwits.

After checking my bird records i was very happy to add Bar Tailed Godwit to my Stour Valley Bird List, in fact there were 2 birds present from the Marsh hide.

2 Bar Tailed Godwits.

It was also great to see at least 3 Hobby on route to the Marsh hide including one bird perched on a distant fence post.

Distant Hobby.

Hobby in flight.

We were also lucky to once again  see the Purple Heron in flight between the Alder Wood and Marsh Hide.

Purple Heron in flight.

A quick look in the Reedbed hide produced a pair of Garganey sleeping and a very close Green Sandpiper.

Green Sandpiper.