Tuesday

Chris's batteries have run out on his keyboard so I will be updating the blog for a short time. A thoroughly enjoyable hours birding this morning from 06-20hrs produced four Little Ringed Plovers and four Common Sandpipers on the main lake. Sammy the resident Shoveler was active as usual, and there were 24 Tufted Duck, sixteen Mute Swans, four Great Crested Grebes (no sign this morning of the model boat lake pair at all), the Domestic Goose pairing have five young still and a Sparrowhawk flew over. There was quite an influx of warblers this morning despite there being no obvious change in weather. There were 12 Blackcaps, six Chiffchaffs, a Sedge Warbler on the sidings, two Garden Warblers (the new one around the top pool area but tricky to hear as it was accompanied by two singing Blackcaps and three Song Thrushes) and three Whitethroats on the sewage works. There was a very elusive Reed Warbler top pool as well. The first Coal Tit for a while was around the car park area.

Chris paid a visit this evening and saw the back of a tern sp flying off, two Reed Warblers top pool, a Cormorant on the main lake, the first four juv Robins of the year, plus 8 Blackcaps, two Little Ringed Plovers, three Chiffchaffs, three Bullfinches, two Jays, two Treecreepers and a Grey Heron. Breeding news - the Domestic Geese have lost a gosling today, now down to four, but the model boat lake Great Crested Grebes appear to be building another nest. There were 10 Mallard ducklings on the canal tonight, but there were 12 last night. Its a shame when young are being lost already and in such good weather.

Finally, the above is Dave Kelsall's photo of Friday's Dunlin.

Many thanks, Nick Smith