Nice and sunny; too wet underfoot to go ringing (to get to where I wanted).
Quick look up the Spit - Teal m, Shoveler m, Gadwall pr, GC Grebe pr (male very noisy!), Tufted 2m, swans pr, Canadas - 4pr. The water level is too high for the latter to build a rudimentary nest, let alone lay a clutch, even though they seem in the mood to do so. Still, the Rangers thought they'd go and have a look anyway. Agitated Water Rail sounding off near bottom of the steps. Pair of Reed Bunts to-ing & fro-ing in reeds.
Stood at the edge of the New Meadow and watched a pair of Bullfinches delicately strip the buds (the female took the flowers, too) from a Blackthorn stem. When done, they then sun-bathed for c.10 mins before moving to another branch tip. Behind them were a pair of LTTs, the male following his bride backwards and forwards as she collected the raw materials for their nuptial home.
Behind me, towards the Rough gate, were another pair of Bullies in a Cherry tree. The Chaffinches were singing and moving around a lot. Then, a new song from down the Long Hedge, returned by a more forceful rendition from a rival just in front of me. Two Blackcaps! The local Wren joined in, and the nearest BC kept up his song until the other one moved off towards the Sedgewick seat or the Kramer willows.
Various tits were checking that nobody else was laying claim to their favoured box - or were these birds sneaking a crafty look at their neighbours real estate?
My next job is to get the Atlas cards out to everybody in my 10km square.
Might try ringing the Spit early on Sat - if it's not raining - so be aware.
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