Andy Ledger
Falling into disrepair
I decided to go a little further afield this morning, so 9 o'clock found me at the causeway overlooking the reserve. There had been reports of Pec.Sand and Osprey, but there was no sign of either while I was there. There were 5 Dunlin, in varying stages of moult. The place was teeming with Pied Wagtails, on both sides of the road, and on the North side there were some very good views of Grey Wags, too. Teal and Mallard , Lapwings, Linnets, Coots and Moorhens were well represented. No Pec.Sand, but about 3 each of Green and Common. I was well chuffed when a Kingfisher flew through, likewise with the Great Spotted Woodpecker. A few Whitethroats hopping about, too. Masses of Swallows. On the South Side, around the main body of the reservoir, were good numbers of Grey Herons, and Little Egrets, plus huge flocks of Greylag Geese, and some Canada Geese. A Sparrowhawk was mobbed by Black headed Gulls and made a rapid exit! I'd have stayed longer, but the weather was more like October, and I was too flippin' cold to stay any longer. After I'd thawed out at home a bit and had a cup of tea, I went out for an hour on my patch, which I've recorded in the appropriate place.