Dusk at Stodmarsh

I managed to grab 45 minutes after work tonight where I drove over to Stodmarsh and viewed the high ground just south of the reserve. although a bit chilly it was a pleasant sunny end to the day with no wind. It turned out to be a productive session with some good birds noted included 1 Mistle Thrush, 1 Green Woodpecker, c50 Greylag Geese were seen in flight flying towards the main lake and as they dropped down, I picked out 2 Pink footed Geese, the third was probably in the flock somewhere but I was late getting on to them. As I scanned the Geese on te main lake I could see 3 Barnacle Geese with them. There were 3 Marsh Harrier, c50 Cormorant, 2 Jay, 1 Great spotted Woodpecker, 1 Linnet, 6 Snipe, 1 Water Rail heard and 2 Hen Harrier were flying over the reedbed including 1 near adult male and 1 ring tail. Also seen were 3 Mute Swan, 14 Tufted Duck, 1 Little Owl, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Grey Heron and a brief drive around to Grove Ferry produced 2 Woodcock flying out of the paddock against an orange sunset sky, a lovely sight to the end the day on.

Woodcock