The Species list stands at 147 so far for 2017
View list Here
If you would like to send any sightings to me for posting, you can at martynwilson@talktalk.net
June 17th
Very hot at the reserve this morning,17th June, and at the begining of this month a Great Crested Grebe began nest building on a floating patch of reed yards from the reed bed and they seem to be doing ok. Lots of butterflies about with approx 30 Meadow Brown on the thistles near the metal bridge. There was a male Large Skipper near the cattle crush. Others seen were Small Tortoiseshell ,Red Admiral, Small White, Common Blue and Painted Lady. Not a lot of activity birdwise but did see 1 Kingfisher, 3 Cuckoo's, 2 Marsh Harriers, 1 Kestrel and the usual warblers. Not one Hobby though despite plenty of dragonflies.
(Bryan East)
Very little to report on the avian side of things in the valley today, there was at least 3 Turtle Doves purring away nicely, 3 Green Sandpipers on the Ramp pool among many moulting Mallards, the 3 juvenile Lapwings at Marsh hide looking almost adult and a dozen or so Bearded Tits flitting around. Highlight however were the dragonflies with the most common species seen was absent in the south east just a few years ago. Bill Gawler found the first Green-eyed Hawker here at Stodmarsh only 5 years ago with the second just a few weeks later at Worth. Today at least seven were seen with one by the pines on the roadside next to the Grove Ferry Inn public house, 1 along the entrance track, 1 around the Ramp and the other 4+ between Harrison's Drove kissing gate and Marsh Hide. Two Emperor Dragonflies, 4 Black-tailed Skimmers and 2 Migrant Hawkers were the others seen. Plenty of Butterflies on the wing and a few Damselflies including Red-eyed Damsel and Banded Demoiselle.
(Bryan East)
Very little to report on the avian side of things in the valley today, there was at least 3 Turtle Doves purring away nicely, 3 Green Sandpipers on the Ramp pool among many moulting Mallards, the 3 juvenile Lapwings at Marsh hide looking almost adult and a dozen or so Bearded Tits flitting around. Highlight however were the dragonflies with the most common species seen was absent in the south east just a few years ago. Bill Gawler found the first Green-eyed Hawker here at Stodmarsh only 5 years ago with the second just a few weeks later at Worth. Today at least seven were seen with one by the pines on the roadside next to the Grove Ferry Inn public house, 1 along the entrance track, 1 around the Ramp and the other 4+ between Harrison's Drove kissing gate and Marsh Hide. Two Emperor Dragonflies, 4 Black-tailed Skimmers and 2 Migrant Hawkers were the others seen. Plenty of Butterflies on the wing and a few Damselflies including Red-eyed Damsel and Banded Demoiselle.
Click any image for a larger picture
Very friendly Blackbird at the Ramp, partial to a few Mealworms!
Once a very rare Dragon, now the commonest-Green-eyed Hawker
A very vocal Wren at the Ramp
Large Skipper - Bryan East
Meadow Brown - Bryan East