Two Reed, one Sedge and no eggs.

A pleasant change to walk round the lake in sunshine this morning, after this weeks rain.

I soon found the Reed Warbler amongst the reeds this morning,

churning out his catchy tune. He's still proving to be a bit camera shy though.

The car park area was full of the sounds of Blackcap, Robin, Blackbird, Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff. Fantastic to hear so many birds singing in the morning.

The pair of Mallards met me under the road bridge, and over by the pub, the pair of Oystercatchers were feeding along with a group of Black-headed Gulls.

Up by the island, it was good to see a Kingfisher fly past the nest site, and land in the trees. Maybe they've not left the nest after all.

The Heron was in his usual place, and soon left as I got too close.

In the reed bed past the bandstand, the sound of another Reed Warbler. Difficult to see, but eventually he gave me a quick glimpse. That makes two so far.

Very little at the top end of the lake now, apart from a couple of Coots, a pair of Great Crested Grebes, a Cormorant drying his feathers on the boat, and a pair of Tufted Duck.

At the moment there are three pairs of Tufted Duck spread around the lake. Maybe they will nest here? If they do, now would be the time.

Round past the pub, and I was amused to see a Greylag Goose surrounded by Starlings.

Yes, little things amuse me at times. Must be the tablets; but it kind of reminded me of the Pied Piper.

Ok, I'll move on.

The south lake had one hungry Crow, who patiently waited for his apple, and a couple of Swallows were taking a much needed rest, perched up in a tree.

Close to the edge of the lake, a pair of Mute Swans were making all the right moves prior to some mating. The female suddenly changed her mind though, much to the annoyance of the male.

No further comment.

As I made my way down the path, towards the far end, I heard a scratchy sound coming from some bushes. A sound similar to a Reed Warbler, but coarser, with a few whistles thrown in. Had to be a Sedge Warbler; they have a tendency to call from bushes more than a Reed Warbler.

I stood searching with eyes and ears, and eventually managed a couple of glimpses as he moved through the bushes. Finally he briefly climbed a branch and sat long enough for me to see his creamy coloured eye stripe; but not long enough for a picture.

Another day then.

At the far end, a quick look to see if the Orchids have made any more progress through the earth, and then on to the bird pallet, and feed the Robin.

Up by the offices, I looked in on the nesting Mute Swans.

Unfortunately the three eggs that were there yesterday, have disappeared.

I imagine predated by something.

I've been told by a couple of people that they've seen mink around there, so maybe they are the culprits?

Finally I got back to the car park, and a Song Thrush gave me a perfect back view.

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Full list of today's sightings

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)

Common Buzzard [sp] (Buteo buteo)

Common Moorhen [sp] (Gallinula chloropus)

Common Coot [sp] (Fulica atra)

Eurasian Oystercatcher [sp] (Haematopus ostralegus)

Black-headed Gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundus)

Lesser Black-backed Gull [sp] (Larus fuscus)

Common Tern [sp] (Sterna hirundo)

Common Wood Pigeon [sp] (Columba palumbus)

Common Kingfisher [sp] (Alcedo atthis)

British Great Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopos major anglicus)

Barn Swallow [sp] (Hirundo rustica)

Pied Wagtail (Motacilla alba yarrellii)

British Dunnock (Prunella modularis occidentalis)

British Robin (Erithacus rubecula melophilus)

Common Blackbird [sp] (Turdus merula)

British Song Thrush (Turdus philomelos clarkei)

Sedge Warbler (Acrocephalus schoenobaenus)

Eurasian Reed Warbler [sp] (Acrocephalus scirpaceus)

Blackcap [sp] (Sylvia atricapilla)

Common Chiffchaff [sp] (Phylloscopus collybita)

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)

Rook [sp] (Corvus frugilegus)

Carrion Crow [sp] (Corvus corone)

Common Starling [sp] (Sturnus vulgaris)

British Chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs gengleri)

European Goldfinch [sp] (Carduelis carduelis)

Reed Bunting [sp] (Emberiza schoeniclus)

Total species  38

Reed Warbler

Another wet and windy morning.

After topping up the feeders, and feeding the gang around the car park, I heard the distinct sound of a Reed Warbler, coming from the reeds.

After much searching, I finally caught a glimpse of him. First one this year.

On round the north lake, and the Mallard and new girlfriend were waiting.

Across the lake, in front of the pub, the pair of Oystercatchers were with a small flock of Starlings, and a couple of Black-headed Gulls.

Skimming over the water were a number of Swallows, with a few Sand Martins

and one or two House Martins. I bet they'd wished they were still in Africa, with this relentless wind and rain.

The sound of Chiffchaffs, Blackcaps and Willow Warblers filled the air; they seemed to be in every tree and bush.

I checked all the reed beds for more Reed Warblers or Sedge Warblers, but so far, no luck.

Four Common Terns were flying around,

and plenty of Canada Geese grazing on the grassy banks.

A brief stop under the road bridge to watch the Swallows,

and then on round the south lake.

My apple wasn't that pleasant; even the Crow decided to leave it. It must have been bad.

More Swallows and Martins were skimming over the water, and as I reached the far end, I checked in the adjacent field, under the railway line, to see what was about there.

A group of Greylag Geese were enjoying the tender shoots of the new crops, and flying above them, four Skylarks.

The Little Grebes were in their usual place, and after feeding the Robin, I made my way down by the rowing club.

I stopped again to admire the aerial acrobatics of the Swallows and Martins, and saw a Yellow Wagtail on one of the boat jetties.

A last check of the reed bed back at the car park, but no sign or sound, from the new arrival.

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)

Little Grebe [sp] (Tachybaptus ruficollis)

Great Crested Grebe [sp] (Podiceps cristatus)

Great Cormorant [sp] (Phalacrocorax carbo)

Grey Heron [sp] (Ardea cinerea)

Common Moorhen [sp] (Gallinula chloropus)

Common Coot [sp] (Fulica atra)

Eurasian Oystercatcher [sp] (Haematopus ostralegus)

Black-headed Gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundus)

Lesser Black-backed Gull [sp] (Larus fuscus)

Common Tern [sp] (Sterna hirundo)

Common Wood Pigeon [sp] (Columba palumbus)

British Great Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopos major anglicus)

Sky Lark [sp] (Alauda arvensis)

Sand Martin [sp] (Riparia riparia)

Barn Swallow [sp] (Hirundo rustica)

House Martin [sp] (Delichon urbicum)

Yellow Wagtail [sp] (Motacilla flava)

Pied Wagtail (Motacilla alba yarrellii)

British Wren (Troglodytes troglodytes indigenus)

British Robin (Erithacus rubecula melophilus)

Common Blackbird [sp] (Turdus merula)

British Song Thrush (Turdus philomelos clarkei)

Eurasian Reed Warbler [sp] (Acrocephalus scirpaceus)

Blackcap [sp] (Sylvia atricapilla)

Common Chiffchaff [sp] (Phylloscopus collybita)

Willow Warbler [sp] (Phylloscopus trochilus)

British Blue Tit (Cyanistes caeruleus obscurus)

British Great Tit (Parus major newtoni)

Eurasian Magpie [sp] (Pica pica)

Carrion Crow [sp] (Corvus corone)

Common Starling [sp] (Sturnus vulgaris)

European Greenfinch [sp] (Carduelis chloris)

Reed Bunting [sp] (Emberiza schoeniclus)

Total species  38

Swallows, Yellow Wagtails and Grebes that fight

A frosty morning, wisps of mist over the lake, and beautiful sunshine.

Perfect return after a weekend away from here.

The frost weighed the heads of the Cowslips down,

but the birds were singing with their heads held high.

Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Robin, Blackbird; and the biggest voice of all belonged to the tiny Wren.

 A powerhouse of a vocalist, considering his size.

Round the north lake, and over by the pub, the pair of Oystercatchers were with a group of geese; and the Lesser Black-backed Gull was in his usual spot, on the boat jetty. Sat on one of the buoys, was a Common Tern.

Up by the Kingfishers nest, and a possible disaster.

Two Magpies were hanging around the nest site, and no sign of the Kingfishers.

My guess is they've abandoned the site, which would be a great shame.

Further round the lake, and skimming over the water, were at least a dozen Sand Martins, joined by half a dozen Swallows.

Up by the weir, I met up with Graemme, and he joined me walking round the rest of the lake.

At the pub, a pair of Yellow Wagtails were foraging in the grass,

along with a few Pied Wagtails.

One of the Oystercatchers came in for a landing at the boat jetty,

and a group of Swallows were taking a deserved rest on the roof of the rowing club.

A long flight from Africa.

We made our way towards the south lake, and the sound of Chiffchaff seemed to be everywhere.

Towards the far end of the lake we finally caught up with a couple, and managed some pictures.

Past the offices, and a quick look in the bushes opposite found soon found a calling Willow Warbler.

As we made our way towards the rowing club, the sound of angry Great Crested Grebes.

Two males, I'm guessing, arguing over territory.

I managed to catch a small bit on video; one male trying unsuccessfully to drown the other. Nature can seem cruel at times.

Eventually we were back at the car park. A quick check on the feeders; not busy, and then time to go.

An enjoyable first day back, after chasing Ring Ouzels at Ivinghoe Beacon over the weekend.

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)

Little Grebe [sp] (Tachybaptus ruficollis)

Great Crested Grebe [sp] (Podiceps cristatus)

Great Cormorant [sp] (Phalacrocorax carbo)

Little Egret [sp] (Egretta garzetta)

Grey Heron [sp] (Ardea cinerea)

Common Moorhen [sp] (Gallinula chloropus)

Common Coot [sp] (Fulica atra)

Eurasian Oystercatcher [sp] (Haematopus ostralegus)

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)

Yellow Wagtail [sp] (Motacilla flava)

Pied Wagtail (Motacilla alba yarrellii)

British Wren (Troglodytes troglodytes indigenus)

British Robin (Erithacus rubecula melophilus)

Common Blackbird [sp] (Turdus merula)

British Song Thrush (Turdus philomelos clarkei)

Blackcap [sp] (Sylvia atricapilla)

Common Chiffchaff [sp] (Phylloscopus collybita)

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)

Rook [sp] (Corvus frugilegus)

Carrion Crow [sp] (Corvus corone)

Common Starling [sp] (Sturnus vulgaris)

House Sparrow [sp] (Passer domesticus)

British Chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs gengleri)

Reed Bunting [sp] (Emberiza schoeniclus)

Total species  37