My first stop was at Rushy Common Nature reserve, a small car park, with a choice of either visiting a new bird screen or a well kept hide. I opted for the hide, which gave a pleasant view over the lake a few islands. A good variety of waterbirds here, three species of goose, and eight species of duck, including goldeneyes. A very kind lady allowed me to have use of her 'scope to view the further shores, where I made out red crested pochard and teal.
A quick look from the viewing screen, produced nothing extra so I returned to the car.
My second visit was to the Standlake Nature reserve. The hides were a rather longer walk, but the sun had come out and I enjoyed the bird song, including several chiffchaffs singing.
I visited both hides, again, a nice variety of waterfowl. At the second hide, I saw a heron, and just as was about to go, I spotted something white emerging behind it ... a great white egret... one which has been wintering there. At first it was pretty distant but after two short flights it gradually came a little nearer. Always worth a final look....
A nice afternoon, and hopefully, one of plenty more visits.
List of birds seen today:
Shoveler, Gadwall, tufted duck, mallard, goldeneye, red crested pochard, wigeon, teal, egyptian geese, canada geese, greylag geese, swan, pied wagtail, lapwing, oyster catcher, black headed gull, heron, coot, moorhen, great white egret, blue tit, great tit, pheasant, wren, robin, blackbird, chiffchaff, goldfinch, chiffchaff
chiffchaff
great white egret
great white egret
heron and GWE
a few birds at Rushy common
view of Rushy Common Reserve
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