Met John C at Hollands Lane at 8.30, but our departure was delayed while we sorted out what to do with “Duke” the roaming Labrador who didn’t seem to have an owner or a home to go to!  Anyway, having rung the owner and found Duke a temporary shelter with Leah at 3 New Cottages, we set off with Maya to meet Angela who was walking up from Small Dole and wondering where we were.

Wildfowl on the floods continues to decrease but we saw:

22 Shoveler

Approx. 30 of Teal

Approx 20 Wigeon

2 Gadwall (pair)

1 Shelduck

3 Black-tailed Godwits (nice!)

2 Lapwing

1 Little Egret

A few Greylag and Canada Geese

And – flying low over the water – 2 Swallows

Along the railway line we heard several Chiffchaffs and 2 Blackcaps singing, and got good views of both.  One of the nests in the little heronry had a sitting tenant.  The riverbank was pretty quiet.  Several Skylarks singing, 2 Buzzards displaying over Wyckham Wood and a burst of Cetti’s Warbler near New Inn bridge was about it!  Song Thrushes, Robins and Wrens all in good voice throughout, and towards the end we saw a Kestrel fly low across a field by Rye Farm and heard a Coal Tit singing.