KOS Field Trip- 30th October to Stodmarsh and Sandwich Bay Bird Observatory.

 Ray O’Reilly - KOS Field trip Organiser writes:-

 “Our KOS 30th October 2023 field outing was to Stodmarsh Nature Reserve near Canterbury, and then on to the famous Sandwich Bay Bird Observatory. 

 This KOS Field Trip was our first October visit to Stodmarsh, but the hope of seeing the first record of an (American)Solitary Sandpiper lured us there. (This is an American wader, very like a Green Sandpiper, which turns up in the British Isles only a few times per decade.)

 We largely managed to elude the heavy showers throughout our trip which proved to be a typical mixed October day. We started by watching a couple of Great White Egrets and managed brief views of both Bearded Tits and Common Kingfishers.  That flashing exotoc azure is always good to see and never fails to excite.

We were delighted too, to manage a good sighting of a Water Rail, an always elusive bird, whilst later a Peregrine and Barn Swallow sailed overhead. Waders were scarce apart from a flock of Northern Lapwings.

 The going was fairly soft underfoot on our walk out to the Marsh Hide in the centre of the reserve where we spotted several Common Stonechats and three Cattle Egrets sometimes  - just where they ought to be - perched on the backs of the cows. From the hide I picked out 2-3 Water Pipits amongst the Meadows there.  Stodmarsh is a good site for these understated birds.

 A real highlight  - and herald of winter - was a flock of between 80-100 Fieldfares with many Chaffinches and Common Starlings among them.

 We had lunch in the reserve car park which was curtailed hurriedly -  just after Keith Cutting had found a Brown Hawker (Dragonfly)  - because news came in that the Solitary Sandpiper had been seen and that it could be viewed by the boathouse. The whole of the group made their way there and everybody got to see this rare and exciting bird.

 It was mid afternoon by the time we headed to Sandwich which gave us about 90 minutes of decent light. The highlights here were exceptional views of a Short-eared Owl perched and hunting near the Restharrow Scrape. 

 Between 18-20 Barn Swallows  hurrying south were also of note. All in all 67 species of birds were recorded which was pretty good as we didn't touch the coast.

Change of KOS Field Trip Day

 Look out next month for new meeting dates right here, however they are going to be on Wednesdays this is due to the continuing and worsening parking problems of Sunday afternoons. Those that can't make weekdays due to work or study commitments please private message me and I will accommodate you.

 Good Birding,

 Ray,”

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