Summary
After a rather wet visit to this RSPB reserve in October last year, it was good to have a dry day, if somewhat cloudy. The site is mainly grassland and shallow lagoons but there are also some young wooded areas. Again we saw three Spoonbill and it was good to have Little and Great Egret close together for comparison.
We had a Marsh Harrier jumping around in the grassland beyond the main lagoon before taking off into the longer grass and reeds. Both Common and Green Sandpiper were present, with the Green unmistakable as it flew off to our left. All-in-all, we had a good day’s birding, making good use of the available hides, as well as the café at the end of our stay. For most of the birds our binoculars gave us good enough views but we were also grateful for members’ scopes for those further away.
Members participating: 7
Bird list (44 species seen and/or heard)
| Little Grebe | Shoveler | Feral Pigeon |
| Cormorant | Marsh Harrier | Woodpigeon |
| Little Egret | Kestrel | House Martin |
| Great Egret | Pheasant | Pied Wagtail |
| Grey Heron | Moorhen | Robin |
| Spoonbill | Coot | Chiffchaff |
| Mute Swan | Ringed Plover | Goldcrest |
| Greylag Goose | Lapwing | Long-tailed Tit |
| Canada Goose | Dunlin | Blue tit |
| Egyptian Goose | Ruff | Great Tit |
| Shelduck | Green Sandpiper | Magpie |
| Wigeon | Common Sandpiper | Jackdaw |
| Gadwall | Black-headed Gull | Carrion Crow |
| Teal | Lesser Black-backed Gull | Starling |
| Mallard | Stock Dove |
Photos
Egyptian Goose by Theo Lindebaum
Grey Heron by Martyn Grandy
Green Sandpiper by Theo Lindenbaum
Great White and Little Egrets by Theo Lindenbaum
Canada Geese and various waders by Martyn Grandy