Saturday 21st March

A very good morning started with 9 Sand Martin over the main lake and 3 singing Chiffchaff (Rough, Crescent and opposite the Beach). There were six Tufted Ducks on the main lake (1f), they were seen in flight later and then on East Fingers with a seventh on West Fingers. Also on West Fingers there were at least 3 Little Grebe, a pair of Teal on Kramer and from the hide LTT looked to be nest building in the hedge over to the left. Two Great Crested Grebe spent the morning chasing around Fingers, not sure whether they were a pair or rivals!

Met DK along the navigation channel and he tipped us off about the waders and Shelduck on 100 Acre. We checked the lakes out and, after an initial blank on the first (smaller), were rewarded with Redshank (at least 7), Lapwing, Green Sandpiper (2) and flyover Ringed Plovers (possibly LRP) with a Common Sandpiper. Close your eyes and you could have been at the coast on some mudflaps with the Redshank calling and singing, superb. 2 Shelduck flew over heading towards Priory but they must have doubled back as when we got back to the smaller lake there were 2 there along with several of the Redshank and Lapwings which remained mobile moving been the 2 lakes. Odd Sand Martins about also.

Back in the park we had another singing Chiffy along the Woodland Walk and then both Green and Great Spotted Woodpeckers in neighbouring Willows before we got to the Sedgewick Seat. Treecreepers were heard here too. EN was checking the nets in the Long Hedge while Ed snoozed by the car :-)

Bullfinch were about in the Rough along with all the regulars.

Back at the main lake 3 Shoveler were seen but little else. A Kingfisher was seen along the Leat and at Fenlake there are still a number of Teal (at least 12 today) and 2 Shelduck (possibly the same 2 seen earlier on 100 Acre?)

A scan of the main lake when were back at the visitor centre, but this time no Sand Martins to be seen.