It was a splendid morning on the 6th after all the rain. At the foot of Windmill Lane a Mistle Thrush was singing, before it flew off towards South View Terrace. Along the railway line a Goldcrest rendered its lovely little song. On the brooks what has become the “usual” flocks of Teal, Wigeon, Pintail and Shoveler, and I spied a couple of Gadwall and a reasonable number of Lapwing. While watching these there was a distant strange but familiar noise coming from the west, the brain was confused but then realisation dawned – a drumming Snipe! There were 2 displaying Buzzards overhead, Grey Herons at their nest, by the millstream a Cetti’s Warbler burst into song, while two Skylarks rose from the grass, one singing beautifully. Meadow Pipit, Yellowhammer and Reed Bunting also seen along that stretch, and the call of a displaying Lapwing.

On the Area walk on Monday 9th, we added 7 Tufted Ducks (shows the water is DEEP), and 11 Egyptian Geese, and heard Chiffchaffs and Goldcrests in song.