Trip reports

Early Spring walk at Stodmarsh

Sunday, 11 March 2007

It was a quite sunny spring morning, after all the rain in February and early March, but a cold wind was blowing across the main lake and the Lampen Wall.
In the alder wood we found a singing Chiffchaff, our first Chiffie since an unseasonal sighting on New Year's Day at West Hythe.
By the time we came out of the alder wood, our numbers had risen to 18 including 2 new members. On the main lake there were quite a few Teal, some Gadwall, Shoveler and Great Crested Grebe.
We walked along the Lampen Wall and the river path towards Grove Ferry and Marsh Harriers were seen over the Reed beds.
Progress wasn't quote as easy as it sounds because we were "welly" deep in mud after the recent rain and Ron renamed the reserve Stodge marsh.
The fields round the oxbow lake were flooded and there were few birds along with the flock of Greylags which have been around most of the winter. We searched for "Beanie Baby" (the affectionate name given to the Bean Goose that has been associating with them) but with the sunlight from the wrong direction we couldn't find it.
The group got pretty spread out as we reached Harrison's Drove Hide. The front of the group exiting the hide met the back of the group arriving, reporting that apart from 2 Mallards the scrape was deserted. All the pools very full of water and so during the day the only waders we managed were Lapwing, one Ruff, one Snipe and a couple of Redshank.
During our walk Cetti's warblers were noticeable as they seem to have turned up the volume for spring. Members who still needed to see one for the year list were found skulking around the bushes until the little beasts showed.
Walking up the entrance path to the Green Hide some of the group were fortunate to see a Water Rail in the gully at the side of the path. Pochard were seen from the hide.
On the return trip to Stodmarsh some saw Yellowhammer and up to three herons which were in front of the marsh hide. Part of the group walked back through the fields from the marsh hide hoping to flush a Jack Snipe but they weren't playing.
Back through the alder wood there was lots of mud leaving us with a choice of looking up at birds or down to prevent ourselves ending up face down in the mud.
It was nice to see several Treecreepers active around the corner of the alder wood
Back at the car park the group split, some going on to Chilham lakes.

A group total of just over 50 species was perhaps a little low for this time of year, but an enjoyable walk on a nice spring day.