Trip reports

Stodmarsh

Sunday, 14 January 2007

After weeks of grey skies, strong winds and much-needed rain, it was very nice to see blue sky and enjoy warm sunshine for our annual afternoon visit to this Natural England reserve, in the hope of seeing harriers hunting and going to roost. The large turnout of our members from both far and wide would also seem to indicate that the sun was much appreciated by a good many people.

Starting the walk from the car park, we followed the footpath that cuts across a small reedbed, out to the boardwalk that meanders through an alder carr. Moving slowly and quietly, we searched and listened for any woodland species. The first part of the alder carr has been coppiced recently, so there was little to see or hear until we reached the bridge crossing into the older section of this small woodland. We were fortunate to see two redpolls quietly feeding at the very top of an alder tree; three more were seen in another tree a few minutes later. Everyone had good views of a tree creeper as it made its way up the trunk of a nearby tree. This obliging little bird flew to the bottom of the trunk and climbed up again, enabling those who were unlucky not to see it properly the first time to have another chance. Apart from a couple of chaffinches, the rest of the wood seemed empty.

Back on the main track, we scanned the main lake, which held a good number of duck. The small but colourful teal were very vocal and in close proximity to our position, enabling us to see their extravagant plumage in great detail. A small number of us were lucky to see a water rail clumsily flying a short distance across the reedtops before plunging out of sight with a squeal. Shoveler seemed to be paired up as they swam about the calm waters. Pochard and gadwall kept their distance as they slept and drifted, over on the far side of the lake. Other species of duck were scattered here and there, also a few great crested grebes, which were constantly diving for their supper. The usual cormorant roost grew larger as the afternoon wore on.

Walking further along the track, we had distant views of a female marsh harrier hunting over the reedbed across the lake to the west. As the sun began to set, skeins of noisy greylag geese flew off in the direction of Grove Ferry. Flocks of fieldfares began to fly in, occasionally stopping off in the trees and bushes growing out in the large expanse of reedbed that stretches off to the east. Two more marsh harriers appeared and hunted over the nearby reeds, and we had a brief view of a female hen harrier as it flew close to the other harriers, before flying out of sight. With darkness enveloping the landscape, and clear skies, the temperature was surprisingly mild. Normally on this outing, by the time the harriers have put on their display, everyone is so cold they are glad to rush back to the car park and turn on the heaters. It is probably the warm weather that has influenced the harriers in not coming to Stodmarsh in any great numbers this year.