Trip reports

Seaton Gravel Pits and Stodmarsh

Thursday, 19 February 2009

A calm, fairly mild day: a comparatively low total of 45 species, with the wood at Stodmarsh being unusually quiet, but an unusual view of a male Sparrowhawk trying to pluck a still live Woodpigeon - which eventually escaped!
There were good numbers of Fieldfare and Redwing, which perched on the telephone wires when disturbed; and the usual, but to me surprising, large numbers of Moorhen. We had good views of various ducks including 2 male and a female Goldeneye, and a brief glimpse of a Mandarin - no Smew this time. Other birds included male Marsh Harrier and a soaring Buzzard.