By arrival at Idle Valley visitor centre, the morning mist had lifted, and a joyful Robin heralded our arrival from his perch at the top of a tree. We welcomed Rebecca, Trevor’s daughter-in-law.

We walked clockwise around the lake and paused to scope the island. In the order of 40 Lesser Black-Backed Gulls were loafing on the shore line. 2 sleeping Oyster Catchers and a dozing Shelduck could be picked out amongst the Black-Headed Gulls. Just one Herring Gull was present. On the water Shoveller were present in numbers, actively spinning to stir up morsels of food.

In the trees several Chiff Chaffs were singing. Were these the over wintering birds responding to the morning sun or the first influx of birds from Africa? If the latter, another sign of global warming. They are some 2 weeks earlier than recent arrival dates. A few parties of Long-Tailed Tits chattered through the trees, a Buzzard drifted overhead and Wrens sang heartily.

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Moving around to the second viewpoint, we were greeted by a convoy of Goosander: 2 males, three females and a first winter male. Such a majestic fish-eating duck which will soon return to the fast flowing upland streams to breed. Cormorants were resting and drying out their non-waterproof wings after a morning's fishing.

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Returning to the cars, 2 rabbits were feeding amongst the juncass grass, and for the laggards a lonely Fieldfare and a Pied Wagtail ended the morning wilding.

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Suitably refreshed we journeyed the short distance to Chainbridge Lane. High water levels at the scrape were unsuitable for waders, and the only additions to the day list were Great White Egret and Goldeneye.. We finished the day scanning Clayworth Common  and Tiln North pit. A pair of Egyptian Geese fed in the fields together with a striking Greylag goose with an extensive whitefront. Scanning the cattle, eventually we were rewarded with a single Cattle Egret and a ground feeding Skylark. Teal added to the duck count and lapwing to the wader count, and with much perseverance peering through the heat haze a pair of Swans were identified as Whoopers.

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A dry and eventually sunny day with a total of 47 species, enjoyed by  Ivan & Carole, Dave & Veronica, Rob & Margaret, Carol,  Barbara, Liz, Richard, Trevor, Rebecca, Jacky and Tony.

 

 

Tony Wardell