Sunday 30 October 2016

With another day of virtually no winds and early mist forecast, I arrived at Nethergong at 5.45am where I sat in the car and listened in the darkness. I managed to hear 1 Barn Owl, 1 Tawny Owl, 2 Little Owl, Greylag Geese could be heard leaving the Stour Valley and a few Redwings flew over calling. As the light picked up I parked up and spent the next 4 hours walking around the site and also spending an hour or so in my camouflage hide waiting for the Kingfisher to turn up........ which it didn't! I did take a photo of my view from the hide and an artists impression of what the Kingfisher may look like if it ever lands on the post.

The Kingfisher post from the hide

The day was far from wasted though as I managed to see or hear 58 species, this did not include House Sparrow, Collared Dove, Kestrel and Great Tit so a day total of 60 species is definitely possible which is an excellent total for such a small site. The best bird today was a little gem and a new bird for the year when I located a Firecrest (107) calling at first light and then had great views briefly as it moved through the trees with Goldcrests. I had hoped that I would find one of these so it was very rewarding to add this species to the year list. Other birds noted today included 2 Snipe, 4 Cetti's Warbler, 1 Pied Wagtail, 1 Treecreeper, 3 Pheasant, c45 Fieldfare, 4 Meadow Pipit, 1 Kingfisher, 3 Yellowhammer, 1 Green Woodpecker, 2 Greenfinch, 1 Grey Wagtail and c10 Goldcrest. There were 3 Jay, 2 Wigeon, 5 Teal, 1 Lesser Redpoll, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Bullfinch, 1 Great spotted Woodpecker, 1 Lapwing, 1 Stonechat, 3 Water Rail, 3 Siskin, 2 Ring necked Parakeet, 5 Skylark, 5 Long tailed Tit, 1 Little Egret, 5 Mistle Thrush and 1 Reed Bunting. Just outside the area in the Stour Valley, there continues to be a Cattle Egret and with plenty of cattle in the fields at Nethergong, you never know, that would be a welcome bonus. 

Artists Impression of what the Kingfisher May Look Like!!

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