After arriving at the car park,we got our equipment together and started by looking on the pools along the approach track and then scanning the Grebe Lake.Nothing much was seen out of the ordinary,but the first of 20 singing male Chiffchaff were entered in the notebook.
More migrants began to be seen and heard as we made our way past the first dipping platform and included the first of 4 singing male Blackcap seen during our visit and more of the afore-mentioned Chiffies.
Into the second meadow and i could have sworn i heard a little snippet of Willow Warbler song.My suspicions were confirmed as we watched very briefly, the first local Willow Warbler of the new season,just magic.
A quick check of some Oaks along one of my regular paths i follow,revealed a single male Diurnia fagella,a relatively common,early occurring species of micro moth.
The Heathy Meadow didn't really reveal any hoped for insects,due to the cool,overcast weather,but 4 northbound Redwing overhead were nice to see all the same.
A quick look from the Duck hide,saw most of the activity on the Main Lake around the bottom islands,so that is where we headed next.
2 More Willow Warbler were added to the day's tally,both showing about as well as the earlier bird had and a singing male Willow Tit was certainly a welcome addition to the mornings sightings.
A small flock of Sand Martins overhead as we made it to the Wader Hide included 6 birds only.
Lots of activity was taking place in front of the Wader Hide as observed from the higher watch point with the Black-headed Gulls busy nest building and carrying out their courtship displays.
A lone Little Egret supplied some variation to my last visit as it fished along the edge of the lake and some great action from a grumpy Mute Swan which had taken a dislike to one of the other adults present,provided some great action photo opportunities.
After leaving the hide,the familiar sound of a singing male Sedge Warbler was great to hear,not only because it was my first record for the year,but also as it was my earliest personal record in 30 years birding!.Unfortunately we didn't see the Sedgie,but it was great to hear him belting out his song.
The remainder of the reserve saw us logging more Chiffies and a couple more Blackcap,a Common Buzzard and a couple of Smooth Newts were seen in the little pond in the plantation adding some welcome diversity to the days sightings.
Eventually we arrived back at the car and we both travelled home contented with our visit,particularly the early Sedge Warbler record,making for another great visit to this cracking little reserve.
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| Micro Moth sp. Diurnia fagella. |
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| Dunnock. |
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| Mute Swan Aggro On The Main Lake. |
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| Another Shot Of The Mute Swan Unrest. |
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| Cormorants And Black-headed Gulls Around The Bottom Islands. |
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