A lovely bright but bitterly cold morning, I set about finding something to add to the year list at Bev's. There were a lot of wildfowl present, but amongst the Shoveler, on a shingle island, I noticed a lone Oystercatcher and next to that a Little Egret. It was nice to confirm the presence of the 'Oyc still, after only hearing it last visit with my Dad. And finally being able to add the Egret for the year list.
The 'Oyc spent most of the time in the field next to the A1, later moving to the grass on the east side of the main lake, feeding with the Greylags and wildfowl.
The Shoveler numbers had risen steeply, from 4 or 5 last visit to 22+ today, the males were very colourful in the sun, and a handful of Wigeon fed on the grass banks around the lake.
After all this time with no sign of Little Egrets, today turned up 2 birds, I presume the high water level is to their disliking though, they eventually moved towards the fishing lakes.
A Common Buzzard put on a good show a couple of times, and the air was alive with the sight and sound of Skylarks, there were groups in all the surrounding fields. Sadly still no sign this year of a Kingfisher.
