went to Potteric got wet. Went to Blacktoft, also got wet. In between some great birds. The Bittern at Piper Marsh was amazing- invisble 20 feet away in 6 inches of stubble! Only after a good look could you pick it up. Were Moorhens a few feet away which were easy to pick up but the bittern- man it was tough. Another flew across earlier in the day but i missed that, was too busy bacon sarnieing it. 50 or so Siskins in the Alders near the railway up to low ellers were cool as was amazing Water Rail that was under the feeders . Just wasn't scared of anything, dudes talking loudly, pheasants chasing it, fighting moorhens, it loved it. Id seen great views before but never this prolonged at close range, i didnt realise they had a vertical buff stripe on their rump until it was baring it in my direction. Also Willow Tit and Jay which was nice. A male Pintail was asleep at Low Ellers plus my first LBBG in a while, this was a graelsii job asleep on one of the islands. Didnt expect much up at Blacktoft due to the weather but headed up anyway more to warm up in the car than anything else. When i got there at 2 nothing but 15 shelducks, 2 Little grebe and a a few wigeon. All of a sudden in came 1,2,3 and then 4 Marsh Harriers fighting away, all looked to be juvs. Then a 5th Harrier came in, a ringtail Hen. This proceded to scrap with the Marshes for about 10 mins which is by far my best views of a Hen Harrier- just need a male now. So best ever views of Bittern, Water Rail and Hen Harrier in one vile day. Magic.
