I arrived just as it was beginning to get light and decided to try and see the resident star bird first.
After getting all the gear together i walked down the side of village lake to the sight and sound of hundreds of Greylag Geese leaving their roost and a lovely Common Buzzard mewed from a nearby tree line.
A look on the fields on the northern border of the reserve revealed 12 Corn Buntings,35 plus Goldfinch and a lovely juvenile Lesser Whitethroat in the bordering hedgerow.
I eventually arrived at the Spotted Crake's favoured home in the north west corner of reedbed lake.Plenty of scanning from here revealed an adult Water Rail,Common Sandpiper and some lovely views of Teal,Shoveler,Gadwall and Snipe in the bright early morning sunshine,bliss.
Eventually after much waiting the bird was seen,but at the opposite end of the reedbed to where we had been standing,no wonder we didn't see it!.
For the next 30 or so minutes the bird gave prolonged,super views,the best i have ever had of this normally skulking species,even better than on my last visit,just superb.I even managed to get some half decent images of this diminutive reedbed dwelling beauty.
The bird then disappeared,only to be seen again about twenty minutes later at the far side of the lake,but showing constantly albeit further away.After enjoying my fill of this cracking bird i decided to explore the remainder of the reserve.
Highlights included 3 Greenshank on Far Lake and 2 Common Sand,Greenshank and the resident escapee Bar-headed Goose on Dryham Ings.
As i neared the car it began to spot with rain and that was it for the day,as the rain began to get heavier.
Another great visit to this great little reserve was enjoyed this morning and i travelled home after a very nice mornings birding.
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| Impressive Dawn Colours. |
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| Juvenile Spotted Crake. |
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| Juvenile Spotted Crake. |
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| Juvenile Spotted Crake. |
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| Juvenile Spotted Crake. |
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