Sunday 3rd March 2024, Mark Ash Wood and Acres Down by Peter Knox

Six members arrived in the car park at Mark Ash Wood on a bright sunny morning to the sound of a Nuthatch. We headed down a boggy track towards the bridge over the stream. There were plenty of Chaffinches plus a small number of Siskin and one lone Goldcrest. Nothing out of the ordinary. Once we had arrived at the bridge, we had a good listen but nothing out of the normal sounds could be heard so we headed back to the cars, and we headed for Acres Down. On arrival we found the car park was quite full but did manage to find some spaces. Then headed up to the Down. On route we found a singing Woodlark in the top of a Holly bush which was a nice start. We found a good vantage point to set up our telescopes and started to scan finding a good numbers Common Buzzard and soon after a high-flying Sparrowhawk. One of the other birders on the Down directed us to where he seen distant views of Goshawk. We started to scan the area and after a short while we did find two very distant Goshawks. Better views did soon happen when first a male flew up from the nearby woods followed by a large female and a second male. These birds provide extended flight views at close range. During the rest of the morning, we had good views of Meadow Pipits and Stonechats. After lunch we drop off some of our kit at the cars and started to explore some of the tracks in the forest. Our first success was a very close Redpoll and more Chaffinches. We met another birder along our first track who point us to a tree were a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker had been seen earlier in the day, but we had no success so moved on along the tracks find Coal Tit, Song Thrush as well as Great Tit and Blue Tit. Then our breakthrough happen as we were about head off on the return track. We heard the call of a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker and some drumming as well. Now we started to try and locate this bird which was a challenge. We narrowed it to a group of trees at which point it moved quickly to another group making it harder to locate. Our luck changed as it flew over our head and along the track to another set of trees and this time, we managed to find it quickly and we all watched it drumming in plain sight. We identified it as a male. It did not stay for too long before it flew further into the forest, and we moved on. As we followed the return track, we heard a Raven and then a Great Spotted Woodpecker getting a brief view of a Great Spotted Woodpecker. Then soon afterward Lynda found of Crossbill high in a pine tree. This was followed by a fly-by of three calling Crossbill. A lifer for Lynda. We arrived back at the car park without finding anything new. It had been a good day in nice weather providing quality and not quantity with a species list of thirty-two.

Wednesday 28th February 2024, Warnham Local Nature Reserve by John Barkham

An overcast and mild morning bought 10 members to the Council-run local nature reserve in Horsham, West Sussex. We viewed the mill pond from the new Discovery Centre and noted Blackheaded, Herring and Lesser Black-backed Gulls, plus Cormorants, Canada Geese, Teal, Tufted and Mallard Ducks. A Grey Wagtail was spotted on the weir and later in the morning a Kingfisher. A short walk led to one of two viewing screens with bird feeders and we added a brightly coloured male and slightly less flashy female Bullfinch, Lesser Redpoll, Siskin, Long-tailed Tit, Goldfinch, Chaffinch, Coal Tit and eventually 2 Marsh Tits. The main viewing screen with bird feeders offered seating and a chance to linger to watch and photograph the various woodland birds, including a Song Thrush, Reed Bunting and Great Spotted Woodpecker. A short circular walk followed through the wet meadows and mixed woodland. We added Treecreeper and Goldcrest to our list. We ended the morning with a coffee and snack in the Visitors Centre to round off our visit.

Sunday 18th February 2024, Rainham Marshes RSPB by Rebecca Dunne

Lynda, Liz, Geoff, Mike and I of splashed our way around a very flooded reserve; four in wellies and Liz shimmying along fences where she could or paddling! “Quite an adventure” said Liz as the flood water finally over topped her walking boots! Luckily, between us, we had a towel and spare shoes and socks in our cars, so she had dryish feet on the way home.
Before this we had explored the Thames path which was high enough to be dry underfoot. Highlights here were a flock of 20+ Linnets eating seeds in the weedy patches near the landfill site and at least a dozen Skylarks in the same area singing, chasing after each other and feeding in the short grass right next to the path. Aveley Bay was relatively quiet apart from a few Shelduck, Teal, Wigeon and Redshank. We had groups of Redshank all along the Thames which we scanned for a reported Spotted Redshank without success. A group of white-patched, breeding plumaged Cormorants and Gulls had obviously found a shoal of fish further out on the river and kept diving. A couple of Rock Pipits shot away in front of us along with a Meadow Pipit and a probable Water Pipit although it didn’t stick around long enough for anyone else to confirm my glimpse. The first of many singing Dunnocks topped bushes along the Thames path and we had fleeting glimpses of singing Cetti’s Warblers. By the end of the day, we’d seen about 6 Cettis which gave Geoff particular joy! A female Reed Bunting stayed long enough in some pale reeds for photos, Mike saw our only Fieldfare diving into a bush and our only Little Egret flew onto Purfleet Scrape. On the main reserve the flooded paths signalled very high-water levels on the pools and scrapes and fewer birds than might otherwise have been seen although, surprisingly, our day’s total was 62 species.
The highlights were excellent views of a couple of pairs of Marsh Harriers, tumbling Lapwing, 2 pairs of Stonechat near Kingfisher hide, very mini-murmurations of Starlings and searching for Snipe. Purfleet Scrape had the most birds and species including a Curlew, 13 well camouflaged Snipe (gradually picked out after, at first, not finding any), 5 Black-tailed Godwit, a Pied Wagtail, Pintail, Wigeon, Teal, Shoveler. In the distance a Buzzard perched on a bush in front of a flyover. Later, from Shooting Butts hide, where we stopped for lunch, we found both a Buzzard and a Marsh Harrier obligingly perched on neighbouring bushes in front of the ‘WANIS’ industrial unit. Very little else was seen from here although a Little Grebe dived up and down as it hurried past us on Butts Scrape.
After lunch avoiding the water was our main concern although we did stop to see the Barn Owl in its box in front of the Cordite Store. It was the most distant and partial view of a sleeping owl’s head that you could possibly get but was nevertheless a Barn Owl! Our only Kestrel was spotted near here and 3 Chiffchaffs could be seen catching flies in the damp woodland. The lack of the reedbed/woodland boardwalk is a shame in this area but at least they have reopened a circular walk in some form.
Hot drinks in the café were needed at the end of our paddle and fortified, we had one last look across the Thames. This added an Oystercatcher, 2 Avocet and Common Gulls. Yellow-legged Gulls were a possibility, but light conditions were so poor we’re not counting them! Our very last species of the day was Collared Dove when one shot across the car park.

Wednesday 31st January 2024, Barnes WWT by Jonathan Hannam

Twelve members joined me on a chilly and overcast day for a gentle stroll around the reserve. After gathering together at the Observatory for an initial look at the main lake, we started off on the South Route. Stopping first at the Dulverton Hide, we soon picked up the resident female Goldeneye, along with Wigeon, Shoveler, Gadwall, Pochard, Mallard, Cormorant, Lapwing and distant gulls. Moving on towards the WWF hide, we stopped by the feeders to see if any Brambling were there. No luck with them, though Chaffinch, Blue Tit, and Great Tit were all present. Just as we left the feeders to go to the hide, a Sparrowhawk flew overhead, giving good views.
At the WWF hide, the gulls were a lot closer, enabling us all to appreciate the difference between Common Gull and Black-headed Gull, not always easy to do at distance. No sign of a Bittern, however. At the Peacock hide, we spent a lot of time scanning for Snipe. Eventually, Mike got onto a Common Snipe some distance away in the grazing marsh and then found a Jack Snipe close by, bobbing up and down. Using Shovelers as markers, most of us were able to locate the area, though they needed a scope to see them well.
On the way back to the Visitor Centre for a spot of lunch, we saw a small flock of Siskin and picked up Greenfinch and Cetti’s Warbler at the feeders. After lunch, we walked the West Route to the Wildside hide, hoping to see Bittern, without success. However, we did see Great Crested Grebe, a distant Water Pipit and a Peregrine, taking the total of species seen by the group to 47 for the day.

Sunday 21st January 2024, Abberton Reservoir, by Ruth Shinebaum

Six people wrapped up warm and met on the Layer Breton causeway near Abberton, having ignored the warnings of excessively windy conditions forecast for later in the day which might close the bridge and block their route home. The leader was not at all worried, but then she lives north of the river!
We scanned the small flocks of ducks notching up the usual suspects such as Shoveler, Wigeon and Teal, finding nothing out of the ordinary as two Great Egrets flew over. Next stop was the Layer de la Haye causeway which gave great close views of Goosander and Goldeneye in their splendid colours; a Redshank, one of our few waders for the day; a Grey Wagtail seen and then disappeared (we believe you, Chris); and despite this and a second visit later in the day, no sign of the reported divers or unusual grebes. A Marsh Harrier obligingly put up large flocks of ducks, but they were very distant with little chance of identifying to species level.
Next it was over to the Essex Wildlife Trust Visitor Centre where we paid our dues and used the loos before moving on to the Abberton Church area. The car park provided some Redwings and a single Fieldfare, and later a flock of Linnet, before we slid our way down the muddy track to the viewpoint. We quickly found the two long-staying Velvet Scoter not too far out, but there was very little else close enough to scan through. However the Kestrel hovering over our heads managing the wind with ease was a lovely sight. It was now time for lunch so back to the centre for a coffee and cake.
Rebecca and Paul stopped off at Billets Farm on the way for a quick reccy but decided everything was too distant for good viewing, so we lunched and did the reserve circuit instead. Two lovely Stonechat enlivened our walk but we didn’t add any other species to our rather meagre list.
We left the reserve as planned at 3.00pm on a mission to get to Heybridge, 15 minutes drive away. Our target was the Northern Waterthrush which had often been seen late afternoon. We were not disappointed. Half the group had already twitched and had sightings varying from good to glimpse to no show, but this time all of us could watch this showy American vagrant, which should be somewhere in South America. Pottering around just underneath us in the muddy ditch it looked like a cross between a strongly marked meadow pipit (same size) and a redwing (strong head markings). The obliging bird showed us all its features including a yellowy wash and some even heard the chip as it flew. A great end to the day.
57 species seen at Abberton and a further 3 at Heybridge including a UK lifer for many of us

Sunday 7th January 2024, Isle of Sheppey, by Chris Turner

The roost at Shellness is always a bit special, and although we arrived a little after high tide there were still very good numbers of Oystercatcher, Sanderling, Ringed Plover, Knot, Dunlin, Curlew and Grey Plover to be seen. On the sea plenty Wigeon, Gadwall and handful of Great-crested Grebe. Also good to see a couple of Peregrine sitting on the shingle bank and excellent views of a Short-eared Owl quartering the salt marsh. The single Great-white Egret no longer has the star status it once had. The undoubted highlight (for me anyway) were the three Snow Bunting found by a sharp eyed Rebecca right at the end of the spit. My first on a bird club trip for many years, and a real treat.
Then a walk along the sea wall around the Swale NNR in increasing wintery weather. Not huge numbers of birds, although most of the group managed views of a distant Merlin, as well as the more expected Marsh Harriers. Just the three Russian White-fronted Geese amongst the Greylags, but no sign of the (perhaps?) plastic fantastic Lesser White-front. On to the raptor roost at Chapel Fleet. And boy was it cold. I would guess half a dozen Marsh Harriers were doing the rounds. Also a large flock on Brent Geese feeding in the distant fields as well as good numbers of Lapwing and the odd Golden Plover. 150 Fieldfare seemed appropriately seasonal as I began to lose all feeling in my fingers. Not a spectacular species count (just 59) but always a treat to have a days birding in the North Kent Marshes. 9 members braved the cold.

Sunday 3rd January 2024, Blashford Lakes and Blackwater Arboretum by Peter Knox

Marsh Harrier spectacle with plenty of Hawfinches.
Nine members arrived on an overcast morning. After getting our kit together we made our way to the Woodland hide on route we found some Redpoll. The woods were alive with bird sounds. Once in the hide we had excellent views of Siskin, Reed Bunting, Nuthatch, and many other passerines. After a while we moved on to the Ivy South hide and here, we had the full range of ducks including Pintail, Teal and Wigeon. We then moved on to the Ivy North hide and on route we had great views of two Treecreeper. The hide did not give us any new species and so we headed back to the carpark to pick up lunch before moving on to the hides around Ibsley waters. We now headed to the Tern hide and on route we saw a Song Thrush sitting on the side of a bridge in the open singing. On arrival in the hide there seemed to be no birds in sight. We eventually found a group of Goldeneye. In the distance we saw more ducks.
Then we saw an amazing piece of behaviour. It started with George spotting a Marsh Harrier which had started diving on the flock of ducks. The bird seemed to have focused on a Shoveler which kept diving. We are not sure whether the harrier had damaged it or whether it was already injured. The duck eventually died at which point the Harrier dived into the water to grab the corpse and stayed in the water for at least five minutes occasionally flapping its wing. We wonder if it would become waterlogged, but after a while it flew and circled the dead duck eventually landing on the shoreline. After a short while the corpse floated to where the harrier was perched allowing it to be eaten.
After this excitement we headed to the Lapwing hide on route we found both Firecrest and Goldcrest. Further on we had a row of trees full of Siskins. We also heard both Water Rail and Cetti Warbler. As we passed Mockbegger Lake Mike spotted some Goosander both males and females. Once in the hide we had better views of the wildfowl and another male Goosander After our lunch we headed back to the cars to move on to Blackwater Arboretum. On arrival the carpark was very full, so it took a little time to park. Once we in the arboretum we set our telescope in the usual place and waited. The first birds to be found were three Bullfinches and then more Siskin. Eventually we had our first Hawfinch with at least nine gradually arriving. They were accompanied by Marsh Tits and some Redpoll. The light started to fade and so it was time call it a day.
We had a species list sixty-three not a bad list for an inland site.