Trip reports

Coach trip to Stodmarsh NNR & Grove Ferry

Sunday, 20 April 2008

28 supporters were on the coach, everyone seemed to enjoy the day and most people appreciated the liquid refreshment (tea or Shepherds Neame) in the Grove Ferry Inn at the end!

The forecast was for a cloudy day with a brisk easterly wind (18mph) and a risk of heavy showers in the afternoon, temperature, 10-11degC, 50-52degF. Actual weather: Dry all day with 50% cloud and some warm sunny intervals, light breeze only, temperature up to 16degC, 61degF.

80 bird species were seen or heard, by the group:

Highlights:
The numbers of marsh harriers (c8), hobby (5), peregrine, wood sandpiper (2), greenshank, ruff (4), turtle dove (H), yellow wagtail (3), water pipit, nightingale (H) and lesser whitethroat (3). H = heard only.

Other warblers:
Whitethroat (1), chiffchaff (c8), willow warbler (c5), Cetti's warbler (c20), sedge warbler (c6), reed warbler (c5), blackcap (c8).

Other migrants:
Common tern (3), northern wheatear (1), cuckoo (H) swallow (c20), sand martin (c50) and house martin (c3).

Also seen:
Little egret, snipe, redshank, curlew, sparrowhawk, green woodpecker (c8), stonechat, reed bunting (c20) and linnet.

Butterflies:
Comma, orange tip, peacock, large white.

Thanks to Phil Blatcher for leading this trip.