On Monday 27th April, several EKRC members were treated to a morning of bird watching with Russ and Alison at Stodmarsh National Nature Reserve. Under Russ’ superb tutorlage we learned about so many birds and creatures in the reserve and actually saw:

8  Greylag Goose, 14  Mute Swan, 4  Shoveler, 2 Gadwall, 8  Mallard, 6  Teal, 1  Pochard, 12  Tufted Duck, 2  Cuckoo, 2  Feral Pigeon, 3  Stock Dove, 7 Wood pigeon, 1  Collared Dove, 1  Water Rail, 4  Moorhen, 18 Coot, 1  Great Crested Grebe, 1  Snipe, 1  Common l Sandpiper, 2  Greenshank, 11  Common Tern, 2  Herring Gull, 7  Cormorant, 3  Bittern, 1  Little Egret, 1  Great White Egret, 4  Cattle Egret, 3  Grey Heron, 11  Marsh Harrier, 3  Buzzard, 1  Green Woodpecker, 1  Kestrel, 10 Hobby, 2  Magpie, 1  Jackdaw, 2  Carrion Crow, 1 Raven, 3  Blue Tit, 3  Great Tit, 1  Skylark, 1  Swallow,
16  Cetti’s Warbler, 2  Long-tailed Tit, 10  Chiffchaff, 13 Sedge Warbler, 19  Reed Warbler, 3  Blackcap, 2 Whitethroat, 3  Wren, 2  Treecreeper, 1  Starling, 4 Blackbird, 6  Robin, 2  Nightingale, 2  Dunnock, 1  Pied Wagtail, 5  Chaffinch, 2  Linnet, 2  Goldfinch, 3  Reed Bunting,

1  Red Fox, 100+  Marsh Frog

1  Variable Damselfly, 1  Small White butterfly, 3 Orange-tip butterfly, 3  Peacock butterfly

(All info provided by Russ)

The photo of the fallen tree is the result of beaver activity!

It was a magical day. Big thanks to Russ and Alison for their commitment and arrangements.