DKR
Northern Refugee
I only live a mile away from this spot but have never been much because of the cost. I finally got around to becoming a member today. Members have access to parts of the reserve others don't.
Armed with my new scope I first visited Grebe Hide by the visitor center. Didn't stay in this one long but saw Coot and Black Headed Gull. I then headed towards Public Hide. On the way I saw Great Tit, Robin and was then delighted to come across a Long Tailed Tit. Didn't get a great view of it but nice none the less.
Public Hide was quite productive. Here I saw:
Teal
Gadwall
Grey Heron
Shelduck
Cormorant
Great Crested Grebe
Shoveler
Canada Geese
Greylag Geese
Tufted Duck
Moorhen
After spending 45 mins there I wandered along the members only part of the reserve to where there ais a group of hides. One of them is Tower Hide which, as the name suggests, is a small tower. From here I saw a few Wigeon. I didn't stay long as there wasn't much else about. The hides in this area are in a bit of a state with 'flaps'' broken and graffitti scrawled about inside. They do seem a bit neglected.
I retraced my steps, seeing a Mallard, and headed for Willow Hide which overlooks Snipe Bog Lake. I didn't see any Snipe but did see Mute Swan and a few Pochard. In the fields behind I could see Crow and Woodpigeon. This is quite a nice spot and I spent over an hour here. There was another Grey Heron and plenty of Gadwall.
Before I went back to my car another quick look out of Public Hide revealed a flock of Lapwing had flown in. I spotted a Magpie just near my car which finished the day.
Armed with my new scope I first visited Grebe Hide by the visitor center. Didn't stay in this one long but saw Coot and Black Headed Gull. I then headed towards Public Hide. On the way I saw Great Tit, Robin and was then delighted to come across a Long Tailed Tit. Didn't get a great view of it but nice none the less.
Public Hide was quite productive. Here I saw:
Teal
Gadwall
Grey Heron
Shelduck
Cormorant
Great Crested Grebe
Shoveler
Canada Geese
Greylag Geese
Tufted Duck
Moorhen
After spending 45 mins there I wandered along the members only part of the reserve to where there ais a group of hides. One of them is Tower Hide which, as the name suggests, is a small tower. From here I saw a few Wigeon. I didn't stay long as there wasn't much else about. The hides in this area are in a bit of a state with 'flaps'' broken and graffitti scrawled about inside. They do seem a bit neglected.
I retraced my steps, seeing a Mallard, and headed for Willow Hide which overlooks Snipe Bog Lake. I didn't see any Snipe but did see Mute Swan and a few Pochard. In the fields behind I could see Crow and Woodpigeon. This is quite a nice spot and I spent over an hour here. There was another Grey Heron and plenty of Gadwall.
Before I went back to my car another quick look out of Public Hide revealed a flock of Lapwing had flown in. I spotted a Magpie just near my car which finished the day.
