Bird Watching Sturt Pond

Milford on Sea Methodist Church goes Bird Watching

As part of the church’s Eco credentials a bird watching trip was organised following the church service on June 14th 2026. After the service, all those who were joining the bird watching trip met in the church social room for a ploughman’s lunch, after which they made their way to the bird hide which overlooks Sturt Pond. On arrival they were met by Keith Metcalf, a founding member of the Milford on Sea bird watching group, who talked about what we might see and was a great support identifying the different birds that we could see from the hide. The church members spent a happy hour using binoculars to view the ever-changing birds on the pond and the surrounding area. Lots to see, including a cormorant, egrets, mute swans, lots of different gulls and we could see the heads of ducks poking above the edge of the pond. Keith heard the call of a bird and then used his app so that we could all listen out for it. He also tested the younger ones knowledge of bird calls using his app. Closer to the bird hide we were able to see sparrows and a family of starlings. These birds were feeding off the seeds and insects available as the bird feeders were empty in line with the RSPB recommendations. We were aware that the Green finches are endangered due to a virus in the bird community but more importantly the parents need to teach their fledglings how to source food naturally. Everyone one had enjoyable time, something a little different for sunny Sunday afternoon. Mike Gough