Ring Ouzel
Bird of the day Ring Ouzel, a male along the ditch edge over the metal gate into the reserve, near the gate entrance to the 'Wheatear Fields' at the end of the Long Hedge on the public footpath at 11.30am. This is only the 3rd reserve record.
The first Willow Warbler of the year was singing by the Sewage works this morning, also Chiffchaff there.
Further down the Long Hedge Yellowhammer singing and a flock of 42 Corn Bunting feeding in stubble the 'Wheatear Fields' next to the Railway Line. Some excellent views of Skylark and Stock Dove in the same area.
Bittern booming again in the Reed Bed, heard from the Harrier Hide and public footpath. Great-crested Grebes and Little Grebes in front of the Harrier Hide.
On the wader front 200+ Black-tailed Godwit, 60+ Avocet, 30+ Ruff, 20+ Oystercatcher, 20+ Lapwing, 8 Redshank and 8+ Snipe.
Raptors; 6+ Buzzard, 2 Marsh Harrier, 2 Kestrel and 2 Sparrowhawk.
Still a few Whooper Swan and most other wildfowl are represented but with greatly reduced numbers. At least 500 Pink-footed Geese.
Other sightings include plenty of Reed Bunting, 2 adult Med Gull, 2 Bullfinch, 2 Barn Owl, Raven, Water Rail and Brown Hares.
