But the birds were great.
I got to the lake early, as it was just getting light. No visit yesterday, because myself and Trevor had a day at Paxton Pits, searching for Nightingales.
(Some pictures on my Flickr page, and the other blog.)
A quick look for the Reed Warbler, and then off round the north lake. Rain was the order of the day; but some good birds too.
Lots of Swallows flying over the north lake, and the grass; and even more when I got to the south lake.
A Common Sandpiper flew across to the island, and just seemed to be sheltering from the rain.
Up at the top end of the lake, a group of Goldfinches flew up into the trees along the edge, and amongst them two Linnets. The first I've ever seen here.
Further along, a Sparrowhawk flew to the trees, stayed briefly, and was off again.
The river is quite swollen now, and the weir is flowing with some force.
Two levels of the steps are completely submerged now, and if this rain continues I can see this area flooding, making it difficult to get round this part.
In front of the pub I counted four Pied Wagtails amongst the Starlings, and then the pair of Yellow Wagtails flew in.
Good to compare them side by side.
A group of Swallows had taken a rest in one of the trees that edge the lake.
Onto the south lake, and as mentioned earlier, hundreds of Swallows were skimming the water. The reeds were bursting with the sound of Sedge Warblers, and one even gave me a quick glimpse, before hiding again.
At the far end, more Swallows over the water, and above the trees on the island, at least 50 House Martins in a feeding frenzy.
The rowing club were out in force by the time I began my way back towards the car park, and by the houses, a Yellow Wagtail.
May have been one come over from the pub.
On the island the Oystercatchers were in fine voice, and back by the car park area, the Reed Warbler was still calling.
It's a wonder he doesn't get a sore throat.
Full list of today's sightings
Mute Swan (Cygnus olor)
Greylag Goose [sp] (Anser anser)
Greater Canada Goose [sp] (Branta canadensis)
Mallard [sp] (Anas platyrhynchos)
Tufted Duck (Aythya fuligula)
Great Crested Grebe [sp] (Podiceps cristatus)
Great Cormorant [sp] (Phalacrocorax carbo)
Grey Heron [sp] (Ardea cinerea)
Eurasian Sparrowhawk [sp] (Accipiter nisus)
Common Moorhen [sp] (Gallinula chloropus)
Common Coot [sp] (Fulica atra)
Eurasian Oystercatcher [sp] (Haematopus ostralegus)
Common Sandpiper (Actitis hypoleucos)
Black-headed Gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundus)
Lesser Black-backed Gull [sp] (Larus fuscus)
Common Tern [sp] (Sterna hirundo)
Common Wood Pigeon [sp] (Columba palumbus)
Sand Martin [sp] (Riparia riparia)
Barn Swallow [sp] (Hirundo rustica)
House Martin [sp] (Delichon urbicum)
British Yellow Wagtail (Motacilla flava flavissima)
Pied Wagtail (Motacilla alba yarrellii)
British Dunnock (Prunella modularis occidentalis)
British Robin (Erithacus rubecula melophilus)
Common Blackbird [sp] (Turdus merula)
Sedge Warbler (Acrocephalus schoenobaenus)
Eurasian Reed Warbler [sp] (Acrocephalus scirpaceus)
Blackcap [sp] (Sylvia atricapilla)
Willow Warbler [sp] (Phylloscopus trochilus)
British Long-tailed Tit (Aegithalos caudatus rosaceus)
British Blue Tit (Cyanistes caeruleus obscurus)
British Great Tit (Parus major newtoni)
Eurasian Magpie [sp] (Pica pica)
Eurasian Jackdaw [sp] (Corvus monedula)
Rook [sp] (Corvus frugilegus)
Carrion Crow [sp] (Corvus corone)
Common Starling [sp] (Sturnus vulgaris)
British Chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs gengleri)
European Goldfinch [sp] (Carduelis carduelis)
Common Linnet [sp] (Acanthis cannabina)
Reed Bunting [sp] (Emberiza schoeniclus)
Total species 41
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To Peter, who just sent me a message via my website; my reply keeps getting bounced back.