Nethergong Birding

I was out early on Saturday morning in the hope of hearing the Bittern and after pulling up in the layby at Nethergong at 04:55, I could immediately hear the Bittern booming from the Stour Valley. I wandered around for a few hours and noted the following highlights: 6 Greylag Geese, 1 Coot, 2 Grey Heron, 3 Marsh Harrier, 4 Kestrel, 2 Jay, 2 Raven, 5 Skylark, 1 Sedge Warbler (95) singing, 1 Willow Warbler, 8 Chiffchaff, 7 Cetti's Warbler, 4 Blackcap, 1 Mistle Thrush, 2 Stonechat, 1 Bullfinch, 4 Yellowhammer and 10 Reed Bunting. 

Sunday morning dawned grey and miserable with a strengthening wind. Birds noted included 1 Water Rail, 1 Coot, 1 Grey Heron, 2 Marsh Harrier and 2 Hen Harrier, a ringtail north at 06:25 and an adult male low NE over the fields at 07:30. I can easily go a year or more without seeing a Hen Harrier here so to see 2 in one day is really quite special. I did take a few record shots of the male and normally wouldn't post this but it's a male Hen Harrier after all! 

Hen Harrier - male

Also seen were 10 Common Buzzard, 1 Peregrine, 2 Raven, 5 Skylark, 1 Sedge Warbler, 12 Chiffchaff, 3 Blackcap, 1 Treecreeper, 1 Mistle Thrush, 4 Meadow Pipit, 1 Bullfinch and 5 Reed Bunting. 

Despite the sunshine this morning, it was quite quiet but I did manage to see 1 Grey Partridge, 1 Coot, 2 Marsh Harrier, 2 Common Buzzard, 4 Kestrel, 1 Peregrine, 1 Jay, 1 Raven, 4 Skylark, 9 Chiffchaff, 7 Cetti's Warbler, 5 Blackcap, 2 Greenfinch, 3 Yellowhammer and 10 Reed Bunting. 

March delivered a few quality birds on the 'Nocmig' front with a 2 flocks of Common Scoter over and 3 flocks of Brent Geese. Also recorded were Snipe, Barn Owl, Little Grebe, Water Rail and Grey Heron but disappointed not to pick up a few more waders. I wonder what April will deliver on this front. I have been quite lucky on the Badger cam with some nice footage which hopefully I can post soon  but nothing yet on Beaver cam. I will keep trying!

Sedge Warbler

Willow Warbler