Weekend birds

The highlight of the weekend was Oystercatchers on both days.

Saturday started overcast but soon brightened up. While in the main lake hide I heard some oystercatcher calls and finally located two birds which did a lap around the lake before headin off towards Fenlake. Shortly after I heard some more calls and this time one bird flew along the the opposite side of the lake before landing in front of the sailing club. There were around 100 Pochard, 27 Shoveler and 20 Cormorant on the main lake.

The Finger lakes held 7 Tufted ducks, 6 Coot and 6 Little Grebe. The CW was vocal in the crescent and a Water Rail walked across the crescent path and disappeared into the reed bed. Also had a Sparrowhawk, a couple of Treecreepers in the trees near the Sedgewick seat and 10 Redwing over.

Sunday was more overcast and I got to the park early to avoid the rain that was forecast for mid morning. Pochard and Shoveler numbers were well down on Saturday at only 31 and 11 respectively. A single Oystercatcher flew around the main lake again. Only managed 8 Cormorant today. Several sightings of Greylag Geese in two's flying over the park, either to or from Willington direction, but also 2 on the lake, possibly 8 birds.

CW was very vocal again in the Crescent reedbed and had several flyby Kingfishers, upto 4 individuals. Didn't see or hear a single Little Grebe today. Had 9 Tufted Ducks on the Finger lakes and 4 Coot. Also had 11 Fieldfare over.

Rain arrived around 10:30 as forecast.