This extensive wetland and flood plain, controlled by the Environment Agency is not one of my regular sites. It does produce excellent birds and there, I have seen Green-winged Teal, Broad-billed Sandpiper and Wilson's Phalarope in 2008 and Semi-palmated Sandpiper in 2010. It is also a site favoured by Spoonbills in the summer months. With the recent storm finally dying down, I ventured out on a still dark, drizzly morning and soon found a huge number of birds across the site. At least five Marsh Harriers in the air constantly put up the wintering flocks of waders and wildfowl. Hundreds of Lapwings accompanied by a few Golden Plover, swirled in huge flocks, attempting to settle on the mud. From the first hide (and out of the rain), it wasn't long before a Water Rail emerged from the near reedbed. Looking out from the hide, Teal in the hundreds accounted for most of the wildfowl. Good numbers of Shoveler, Mallard and Shelduck were widespread and six Gadwall were seen, together with four Pintail. Three Whooper Swans came from the North and passed over the reserve before heading East downriver. Waders consisted of Redshank, Black-tailed Godwits, Dunlin, Snipe, 4 Ruff were seen and 3 Spotted Redshank in their winter plumage were the nearest waders. Spotted Redshanks. This Little Egret dropped in front of the hide and stayed to feed. Along the reeds, 2 Cetti's Warblers called, Wrens and Reed Buntings flitted about and when the rain finally stopped, the Bearded Tits began to show well. Comments are closed.
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