Summary

It was still raining as we met up in the reserve’s car park, despite the forecast of a sunny day.  Undaunted we set off into the reserve itself, making good use of the hides as there was little to see or hear on the way to the first hide.  In fact the rain eased and eventually the sun broke through.  It was good to see a Great White Egret again but no sign of Spoonbills this time (except two creations erected by the path as part of an illuminated event for young families later in the day!).

One member had a good but brief sighting of a Kingfisher in a water channel between reedbeds.  Three other members had the privilege of seeing a Jack Snipe in the presence of a 92-year old keen birder who turned out to have been instrumental in turning the site into a reserve after coal mining finished in the early 1970’s.  Overall it was a very enjoyable day, especially for those who met the 92-year old and saw the Jack Snipe.

Members participating:    5

Bird list (41 species seen and/or heard)

Little Grebe	Buzzard	Pied Wagtail
Cormorant	Peregrine	Dunnock
Little Egret	Pheasant	Robin
Great Egret	Moorhen	Blackbird
Grey Heron	Coot	Cetti’s Warbler
Mute Swan	Lapwing	Long-tailed Tit
Canada Goose	Jack Snipe	Blue tit
Wigeon	Redshank	Great Tit
Gadwall	Black-headed Gull	Jay
Teal	Lesser Black-backed Gull	Magpie
Mallard	Herring Gull	Carrion Crow
Shoveler	Great Black-backed Gull	Greenfinch
Tufted Duck	Woodpigeon	Goldfinch
Marsh Harrier	Kingfisher