Trip reports

Coach Trip to RSPB Elmley Marshes, Kent

Male Stonechat, RSPB Images

Sunday, 22 November 2009

Barrie Stockwell led this trip, 27 members braved the elements on a visit to Elmley Marsh. The wind was strong all day and there were some heavy showers but also some sunshine

Highlights:

Some of the birds that we had hoped to see, such as barn and short-eared owls were keeping their heads down but a respectable total of 58 bird species were seen plus lots of hares, rabbits, a fox and a stoat. The highlights were probably the grey partridge, 4 of which were seen at close hand from the coach on arrival, and the 9 corn buntings seen by one group as they left a hide.

Total Species Recorded: 58

Great crested grebe, little grebe, cormorant, little egret, grey heron, mute swan, Canada goose, greylag goose, mallard, gadwall, pintail, wigeon, teal, shoveler, shelduck, buzzard, marsh harrier, peregrine, kestrel, red-legged partridge, grey partridge, pheasant, moorhen, coot, oystercatcher, lapwing, ringed plover, turnstone, grey plover, golden plover, dunlin, curlew, green sandpiper, redshank, black-tailed godwit, bar-tailed godwit, snipe, great black-backed gull, lesser black-backed gull, herring gull, black-headed gull, common gull, woodpigeon, stock dove, skylark, meadow pipit, pied wagtail, starling, jackdaw, rook, stonechat, dunnock, robin, blackbird, house sparrow, goldfinch, reed bunting and corn bunting.

Other Wildlife:
Rabbits, Hares, Fox & Stoat

Many thanks to Barrie for leading this trip.