Nethergong Birding

I was out very early Saturday morning at 05:00 where I then parked up at Nethergong and spent a while listening into the darkness for any calls. It was at 05:15 that I suddenly picked out the calls of Brent Geese (81) flying over towards Grove Ferry. This is a species that I have sound recorded for the past 5 years but have never heard them 'live' so do so was very pleasing, and they can now be added to my list. Thankfully, I had the recorder also out which picked them up flying over. Snipe could also be heard in the dark as could some Greylag Geese calling from the Stour Valley. As the light picked up, I then walked the whole area for a few hours in cold frosty conditions and noted 101 Mute Swan, 2 Gadwall, 8 Moorhen, 2 Coot, c40 Black headed Gull, 12 Herring Gull, 545 Cormorant towards the coast, 1 Grey Heron, 3 Common Buzzard, 1 Kingfisher, 2 Green Woodpecker, 1 Kestrel, 1 Merlin, 1 Jay, 4 Raven, 1 Cetti's Warbler, 7 Long tailed Tit, 1 Blackcap, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Firecrest, 1 Treecreeper (82), 34 Redwing, 15 Fieldfare, 5 Stonechat, 1 Pied Wagtail, 30 Meadow Pipit, 12 Chaffinch, 1 Linnet and 4 Reed Bunting. 'Nocmig' recording Friday night also delivered Teal and Gadwall calling in the dark. 

I returned back to Chislet Marshes at 15:30 where I spent some time scanning the area until dusk. Birds noted included 10 Mute Swan, c570 Woodpigeon, c100 Lapwing, 103 Cormorant, 2 Little Egret (83), 3 Marsh Harrier, 1 ring tail Hen Harrier, 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Great spotted Woodpecker, 1 Green Woodpecker, 1 Kestrel, 2 Raven, 12 Fieldfare and 2 Stonechat.

This morning (Sunday) I was again out at 05:00 listening in the dark. Birds heard included Tawny Owl, Gadwall and Snipe. I then walked the circuit again in cloudy, cold weather but the sun did at least try to come out. Birds noted were 3 Greylag Geese, 120 Mute Swan, 108 Woodpigeon, 14 Moorhen, there are now 4 Coot in the area, 16 Lapwing, 2 Snipe, 34 Black headed Gull, 1 Common Gull, 39 Herring Gull, 169 Cormorant, 2 Grey Heron, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Marsh Harrier, 4 Common Buzzard, 1 Great spotted Woodpecker, 1 Green Woodpecker, 3 Kestrel, 2 Jay, 2 Raven, 1 Cwtti's Warbler, 4 Long tailed Tit, 70 Starling, 3 Mistle Thrush, 35 Redwing, 2 Fieldfare, 3 Stonechat, 15 Chaffinch, 2 Bullfinch, 1 Greenfinch and 8 Goldfinch. February moves onto 83 species, the second best total so far in 9 years of recording but I still can't find a Yellowhammer, Grey Wagtail and Lesser Redpoll and Siskin seem to non existent. A week off work now so hopefully out in the week and recording at night if the weather allows.  

Brent Geese

Snipe