The Essex Birdwatching Society travelled by luxury coach to the Grove Ferry & Stodmarsh RSPB Reserves on Sunday 24 March on a very cold day.
These reserves would normally be receiving the summer migrants from southern Europe and Africa, but due the recent snow and icy these were in short supply. During the walk many Water Fowl could be seen on the open lagoons which were frozen in places. These included winter visitors of Pochard, Wigeon, Pintail. Teal, Gadwall and resident Tufted Ducks.
The protected areas of scrub and wet meadows held remaining winter 'thrushes' of Redwing and Fieldfare. These would soon be moving back to their breeding grounds in eastern Europe.
An elusive Bittern ventured out onto the frozen water in search of an opening to catch small fish in these difficult conditions Encouraging signs of spring was the unmistakable call of Cetti's Warbler from deep within the reed bed together with a drake Garganey swimming on a lagoon with Mallard.
Gliding effortlessly over the reeds we had excellent views of Marsh Harriers hunting. From one of the elevated hides we could see four different Marsh Harrier at one time along with a Hen Harrier. Another highlight of the day was a Treecreepper poking every crack and crevice of the trunk of trees for insects, just ten metres from the path in the wooded area.
Together the group identified over seventy species during the day visit to the largest reed bed in south east England.
Details of future friendly field trip meetings can be found on the Essex Birdwatching Society website www.ebws.org.uk"