Birds
Stanpit Marsh is a fantastic place to see a wide variety of birds. Some a permanent residents, while visitors come and go through the year as part of their migration patterns. Click on the images below to see larger versions of the photos and information on the birds.
Black-Headed Gulls
Black-headed gulls are the smallest breed of gulls seen regularly on Stanpit Marsh.
Black-tailed Godwit
Black-tailed Godwit
Brent Geese
Brent Geese migrate to Stanpit Marsh from Siberia and Northern Russia during the winter.
Common Tern
The Common Tern is a summer visitor from west Africa. Smaller than the Sandwich Tern, it has a prominent red beak with a black tip.
Coot
This resident of Stanpit Marsh is typically seen in flocks, often amongst gulls and other water birds.
Crow
Crows are typically seen singly or in pairs, which can help distinguish them from Rooks which are seen in flocks.
One pair regularly nest in the tall Poplars backing North Scrubs, and the family can be seen feeding around the marsh.
Curlew
Curlew are the largest waders on the Marsh. As well as a resident population, Curlew also migrate here from Scandinavia in the summer and Russia in the winter.
Dunlin
Seen in flocks sometimes numbering in the thousands, a resident population is boosted by winter migrants from Iceland, northern Russia and northern Europe.
Greater Spotted Woodpecker
This brightly-coloured British resident is most likely to be seen in North Scrubs.
Grey Heron
This local resident is usually solitary and can often be seen standing motionless while looking for fish or with its head resting on hunched back.
Kestrel
Sometimes confused with the Sparrow Hawk, but is slightly smaller and can be seen hovering over Stanpit Marsh’s reed beds or Purewell Stream while looking for food.
Lapwing
This resident bird has a distinct head crest (which is longer on the male) and shrill ‘pee-wit’ call.
Linnett
Crimson breast patches and forehead on male; plain brown back and grey head. Female is more streaked, and lacks crimson markings.
Linnets form large flocks outside the breeding season. Often seen perched on gorse, but very nervous.
Little Egret
While now considered a resident bird, Little Egret also migrate to the area from central Africa and the Mediterranean.
Chaffinch
The Chaffinch is now Britain’s second most-common breeding bird.
When on the ground, they hop while wagging or flicking their tails. Typically seen in flocks.
Mallard
These residents (and migrants from Iceland and northern Europe) can be seen all over Stanpit Marsh.
Drake has glossy green head, white neck ring and brown breast, while the female is brown
Mute Swan
These native British birds are very territorial and can be aggressive – arched wings, neck drawn back, jerky advance through water.
Numbers increase in the harbour during the moult in Mid-July.
Oyster Catcher
This resident bird has a distinct orange bill and nests on shingle, dunes and salt marshes.
Oyster Catchers probe deep in mud for marine worms, shellfish and small crabs.
Redshank
This medium-sized wader can be identified by its distinctive red legs.
A resident population is visited by migrants from Iceland during the winter.
Ringed Plover
This small, stocky wader is a fast mover,
running in spurts and stopping to pick up food.
Often seen singly, but also in very small groups.
Sandwich Tern
The Sandwich Tern is larger than the Common Tern, and can be seen at Stanpit Marsh in the summer having migrated from South Africa.
Shelduck
This distinctively colourful duck features a chestnut breast band on both males and females.
While resident to Britain, Shellduck head to Germany in August/September to moult.
They often nest in old rabbit burrows, crevices or dense vegetation.
Snipe
This secretive wader often crouches very still, relying on camouflage. Generally seen singly, but also feeds in small groups.
While some are resident to Britain, most are winter visitors from Iceland and Scandinavia.
Song Thrush
A fairly uncommon bird now, sadly, although it seems to be on the comeback. This one was spotted singing beautifully within a Hawthorn bush in North Scrubs.
Spoonbill
This immature visitor was seen in March 2018. Adult Spoonbills are about the size of a Heron, and have a yellow tip to their destinctive spoon-shaped bill and a yellow patch on their breast.
Spoonbills are a relative rarity at Stanpit Marsh. This one was spotted at low tide in Mother Sillers Channel from the Bailey Bridge and photographed by Mr Kevin Scragg; whom we thank for sharing it with us.
Stonechat
This resident bird and migrants from the Mediterranean and north Africa are often seen on scrub and gorse, especially on Crouch Hill.
The colourful male has a black head; white on sides of neck, inner top wing edges and rump, dark brown streaked back, and orange-red breast. The female (pictured) is less colourful – lighter colouring all over, and lacks black head.
Teal
This small duck can be seen all year round on Stanpit Marsh, although that may be a challenge as they are very nervous and try to stay out of sight.
If you do spot one, the male has chestnut/dark green markings on its head.
Water Rail
Another shy resident of Stanpit Marsh, you may spot one feeding in undergrowth/reeds around Purewell Stream and North Scrubs.
Wheatear
This summer visitor from central Africa feeds on the ground with quick movements, and perches on rocks or posts. Most likely to be seen on Crouch Hill.
Whitethroat
A delicate little brown bird, with distinct white throat feathers.
A couple of pairs regularly nest in or around North Scrubs, building a small, neat cup-shaped nest low in thorny vegetation.
Wigeon
This medium-sized duck has grey wings and under parts, with the male having a distinct chestnut head.
Seen on Stanpit Marsh in the winter when they migrate from Iceland, Scandinavia and northern Russia.
Dartford Warbler at Stanpit Marsh
This Dartford Warbler was photographed at Stanpit Marsh by Pam Redman in September 2023.
