Sunday 2 July 2017

The Species list stands at 148 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

July 2nd

This weekend was mostly spent watching the first summer or, second calendar year, male Red-footed Falcon found by Kieron McDonnell last Sunday and taken up residence. This bird also constituted a new British bird for Dave Sutton and a lifer for Bernie Weight. Sue had to wait until today for this year tick as she was away on holiday. Where it roosts is a mystery but, this morning I picked it up coming in over the Alder wood at Stodmarsh, flying low over the reed bed behind Marsh hide and low over the fields before eventually settling in the same bush as yesterday and even the same branch where, as it did yesterday, spent 40 minutes preening before taking flight and putting on a show for the many delighted observers. Other birds noted this weekend included at least 6 Turtle Doves, a moulting summer plumaged Ruff, 2 Green Sandpipers, 1 Greenshank, 2 new very tiny baby Lapwings, 3 Hobbies and 7 Marsh Harriers. Today there was an eclipse drake Garganey at Harrison's Drove hide (new for the year for Sue and I!!!) a juvenile Water Rail creeping around the back edges of Harrison's and 2 Bitterns seen on both days. At least 3 Yellowhammers present along Middle Drove and many Skylarks. On the non birding side, Odonata included the most common species in the Stour Valley with at least a dozen Green-eyed Hawkers present. Its good to see the Red-footed Falcon munching his way through several of these! Also noted were 2 Brown Hawkers, 2 Emperor Dragonflies, 1 Migrant Hawker and 1 Black-tailed Skimmer.

Click any image for larger picture
Red-footed Falcon
Konik Pony

Green-eyed Hawker

Emperor Dragonfly

Brown Hawker