Eye to Eye with a Treecreeper - Stodmarsh 06/02/19

As I had an appointment nearby, and the rest of the day off, I headed to Stodmarsh nature reserve on the way home. The forecast was for fairly persistent rain and the option of being able to shelter in a hide won the day. As it turned out the rain held off for most of the visit, apart from a few spots, so I was very lucky.

A good mix of the usual little jobs were either singing or feeding as I started to make my way to the Marsh Hide. A Great Spotted Woodpecker was drumming away and I heard, or saw, at least 4 during my visit. I enjoyed watching a Treecreeper (84) and although the light was poor I tried for a few shots. They are amazing little birds and this one was very active.

Treecreeper

I carried on for a little way and heard a Cetti's Warbler (85) calling. It was getting very muddy and slippery so I stopped for a while and watched an immature Mute Swan preening before continuing. There were also a couple of Mallard down the dyke and 3 Moorhen. Chattering Fieldfares, Starling and Redwing filled the tops of the next group of trees, and the sound was amazing, while small flocks of Chaffinch and Goldfinch were feeding on the path. Further along an immature Mute Swan was surveying the lay of the land.

Immature Mute Swan

Immature Mute Swan

I finally made it to the Marsh hide and disturbed a Jay as I came up to it. Apart from 1 Lapwing there was absolutely nothing on the scrapes. Not a thing. I was, however, treated to a distant view of a hunting Hen Harrier (86). I tried for some photo's but the bird really was too far away and in very poor light meaning I needed to use a very high ISO. Still, they make nice memory shots and I am pleased to have been able to get them. I could hear another Cetti's Warbler calling, while I was in the hide.

Hen Harrier

Hen Harrier

I headed back and walked up to the main lagoon. I could hear Greylag Geese calling but only saw one. The surprise of the visit came in the form of a Great White Egret (88) tucked into the far bank. It was very distant but I tried for some record shots.

Great White Egret

Great White Egret

I heard two Water Rail calling on the way round and enjoyed a view of both an immature Grey Heron and a Mute Swan with wind ruffled feathers.

Grey Heron

Mute Swan

I retraced my steps and then headed for the reed bed hide. As I passed one of the dykes I saw a couple of Coot, a pair of Mute Swan and 3 Gadwall (90). A little further along I caught sight of the rear end of a Water Rail as it went deeper into the reeds. As I approached the hide I could hear at least a couple of Bullfinch calling. It seemed a good time to have lunch and I was accompanied by the lovely sound of the Teal, that were present, calling away. It does seem that the best way to guarantee a good view of a bird is to pick up a sandwich, or anything that involves putting the camera down. By the time the sandwich gets put down and the camera picked up, the bird is disappearing and probably giggling at the same time. It is amazing how often it happens. A Grey Heron gave some nice views and a passing Shoveler kept a wary eye on it.

Grey Heron

Grey Heron and Shoveler

I enjoyed watching the Teal and, once again, they gave some lovely close views. It is a beautiful place to sit and the view from the hide was one of peace and calm. On two occasions today I heard Bearded Tit (91) call but I did not manage to see one.

Sleeping Teal

View from Reed Hide

I watched as a male Teal from the far bank suddenly started to swim across, in a very purposeful way, and headed straight for another male that was resting next to a female. After a bit of a dispute it was put in its place by the other male and swam off again.

Male Teal

Male Teal in dispute

Male Teal in Dispute

Meanwhile a male Mallard was displaying to a female. It would stretch its neck right up and then bob down. She was clearly impressed as she lay low in the water and allowed him to mate. He held her completely under water and then they swam side by side with him rearing up and tucking his head down.

Male Mallard about to mate

Mating Mallards

Display following mating

The Grey Heron that had been posing earlier suddenly few across the front of the hide and I only just managed to grab a shot before it disappeared from view.

Grey Heron in flight

As it was time to be getting back I took the longer way round to the car park and I was pleased that I did as I was lucky enough to have a Treecreeper fly across and land at the bottom of a tree right next to me. I tried for some photos as it rapidly gained height but it was obscured more often than not. Then, just for a moment it paused in a clear patch and I was lucky enough to be able to take a shot. It was quite something to be so close to it and to be able to see its eye. I do not think I have ever been so close to a Treecreeper before.

Eye to eye Treecreeper

Not to be outdone, a Robin also gave me some very close views as it flew in and landed above me and started to sing.

Singing Robin

I passed a large Bracket fungus and having looked it up I am still not sure what type it is but wonder if it may be a Tinder Fungus.

Bracket Fungus

From the car park I could hear Fieldfare chattering away and every now and then some flew over. I tried to see if I could get a shot of their underwing and the white underwing feathers show well.

Fieldfare in flight

I had really enjoyed my visit and look forward to the next one.

Birds seen this visit include: Blue Tits, Great Tits, Wrens, Robins, Blackbirds, Dunnock, 3 Song Thrush, 4 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 17 Chaffinch, 15 Goldfinch, 12 Mallard, 3 Moorhen, 4 Magpie, Fieldfare, Redwing, 3 Treecreeper, 1 Jay, 88 Cormorant, 3 Cetti's Warbler, 32 Lapwing, Meadow Pipit, Greylag Geese, 16 Shoveler, 120 Teal, 1 Sparrowhawk, 3 Marsh Harrier, 9 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Great White Egret, 3 Water Rail, 3 Gadwall, Black-headed Gulls, Herring Gulls, 2 Coot, 2 Bullfinch.