DAVID'S NATURE BLOG

5 JANUARY 2026 – SPELLBROOK; TEDNAMBURY MARSH and THORLEY WASH

There was a light dusting of snow outside, but otherwise pristine, extremely cold, sunny conditions; just right for a morning’s walk along the River Stort, with the aim of attempting to get as many bird species as possible - to boost my bird list (thus far a rather paltry 29) for the new year.

I chose to take a bus down to Spellbrook, then walk along the towpath, south towards Tednambury Marsh (hoping to connect with Ravens that I saw here for the first time in September 2025); then walk back along the towpath north through Spellbrook and finally Thorley Wash. Rather stupidly, I gave myself about three hours, but in fact I was out for a total just exceeding five - and that was without any resting time whatsoever!!

As soon as reached Spellbrook and crossed the level crossing and reached the bridge over the Stort, I got my first Kingfisher of the year; then a Eurasian Buzzard flew over. Taking the towpath southwards, there were quite a few Redwings flying around – all seemingly quite restless - and a Goldcrest flitting over the catkins of a larch. Nearby, at least three little Grebes were making their way south along the Stort, but were always extremely wary, and were difficult to photograph. And rather surprisingly a lovely drake Northern Shoveler flew past along the river heading back towards Spellbrook - a species I hadn't seen in these parts since December 2014. Then two more Buzzards were seen, but no sign of any Ravens, regrettably.

As I approached the tributary leading to Tednambury Marina, I saw a Fox skulking along a line of reeds out in the open, but I wasn’t quick enough to capture an image with my camera, and it was soon gone. Nearby, a small passerine alighted on a prickle - it was a female Stonechat - a species I don’t ever recall seeing here in Winter. At this point, and all the way to Tednambury Lock, the river was frozen, with a light dusting of snow on the surface, and here I saw a large Roach lying dead on the ice (and in otherwise prefect condition) and wondered how it got there, concluding that it had possibly been left by an Otter as the water froze; I couldn’t think of any other rationale.

I walked past the lock, with Redwings passing over me continually for a while, but turned back at that point, with very little else on show, except for several Blackbirds (all males); a Wren; a couple of Robins, and a few Woodpigeons, and walked back towards Spellbrook and Thorley Wash.

I couldn’t find the Stonechat again, but three Cormorants were perched atop a dead tree as the river coiled north-east, then south again, where I saw a large flock of 30 plus Jackdaws perched in a tree beside the railway (I’ve never seen so many together); then the Little Grebes came into view again, but were as wary as ever, and were extremely difficult to photograph. A Kingfisher gave me a closer, better view before I crossed the road into Thorley Wash.

Across the road just past the weir (opposite Walbury Estate) there were several birds on the river - mainly a few Mallards and Moorhens; three Mute Swans and two Gadwall - the latter are quite rare at Thorley Wash - I’ve only seen the species three times here previously since my first in 2007. I attempted to photograph them and managed a couple of shots, when a cyclist whizzed by on his bike and disturbed the birds, which promptly took to the air, along with four other Gadwall that I hadn’t seen - making six in all (three drakes and three ducks) the largest number I’ve yet recorded here. Along this stretch there was a Grey Heron behind the weir; at least ten Cormorants perched in a dead oak; a Dunnock on the opposite bank; and a lone Common Teal that I observed overhead, which was also a less common occurrence at the Wash. Apart from a couple of Blackbirds and Robins, I didn’t see another passerine until I got onto Thorley Wash Reserve, when I saw two more Goldcrests and a group of four Long-tailed Tits. A little further north along the Stort Navigation a Red Kite was seen briefly, and a lone Little Egret was seen perched in a Larch along the bank, before it too flew off as a dog walker passed by. Approaching Twyford Lock I saw another Fox snuggly resting quietly amongst some dead bramble, but as soon as I lifted my camera, all I managed was a partial image as the animal shot off into the bushes behind. I did feel kind of guilty for disturbing its slumbers.

It had been an interesting walk with me adding 13 new birds for the year - now standing at 40; but that was insignificant compared to the super birds and mammals I’d seen today. I did feel extremely privileged. But at slightly over five hours out walking in extremely cold conditions, I arrived home very tired indeed.