For once the forecast had got it right: no rain and temperatures about normal. The quest for wetland birds has got off to a grand start. Clear skies and little wind, perfect for 8 members to get stuck in.

Parking at Sheepwash car park, walking to the visitor centre and returning for lunch was the plan. The hunt as on. Mistle Thrush, Song Thrush, Blackbird, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Siskin and Blue Tit were quickly ticked. It took some time for everyone to lock onto a feeding pair of Nuthatch. In line with recommended practice, all the feeding platforms had been taken down, but Coal Tit, Great Tit, Redwing and Fieldfare are located feeding in the trees.

On the water Teal, Wigeon, Pochard, Mallard, Goldeneye, Gadwall, Coot and Black-headed Gull, together with numerous Canada Geese, add to the ever growing day list. On the shoreline Redshank and Oyster Catcher are very good finds. In the fields the resident flock of Barnacle Geese, and Willow Tit from the Wildlife hide, mean we have succeeded in finding the 2 target birds at Carsington Water. Sadly the Tree Sparrow seems to have deserted the site.

Returning to the cars for lunch, we catch up with Chaffinch and arrive just in time to observe a Red Kite drifting overhead.

The afternoon is spent scanning the North end of the lake from the 2 visitor hides. Grey Wagtail, Shelduck and 6 Curlew grace the shoreline. On a distant island, a single Lapwing and 4 Cormorant are spotted. In the growing gull roost, Common Gull and Lesser Black-backed Gull are picked out amongst the Black-headed Gulls. On leaving the Paul Stanley hide, a delightful 5 minutes are spent watching a pair of Tree Creeper scavenging for insects on the mossy
northern sides of the tree trunks. And finally, a calling Raven overhead says goodbye to a very happy group of birders.

A good outing, recording 42 species, enjoyed by Ivan & Carole, Liz, Jack, Richard, Marie and Tony.

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Tony Wardell