Saturday, April 11, 2009

Saturday 11th April 2009

Missed the otters again this morning but Ed had 3 early on at Kramer hide. Unfortunately his ringing session with EN was a washout. There were Martins and Swallows over the main lake despite the heavy drizzle. Plenty of singing warblers around with at least 3 Willow Warblers surrounding the car park. Pairs of Gadwall and Teal on West Fingers and at least another 2 male Teal elsewhere around Fingers were the highlight along with battling Mute Swan and Canada Goose. The Common Whitethroat defied the rain and was singing on the south east corner of Fingers, opposite the Beach. Met DK who said the Sedge Warblers were down at the STW reed bed so we went down there to check and found 2 singing in the reed bed at the mouth of the Cut on Riverside. Also 2 pairs of Tufted Ducks on the first lake on 100 Acre.

We checked out Riverside for a change and had another Sedge Warbler on the island on Tesco Pond. Also 3 Willow Warblers, 2 Chiffchaffs and a Blackcap. There is also a nesting Mute Swan on Riverside (Orange #405).

Back at the Cut another Black Cap was singing and we had another 3 Chiff's along the Woodland Walk. On the south side of the main lake we decided to try the riverside path and, along with a pair of ducks trying some extreme waterfalling, we had two more Sedge Warblers. One was opposite Bedford Boat Club and the other was further along opposite the lake on Fenlake. We could only make out about three Teal on Fenlake.

Back at the main lake still at least 20 hirundines with a handful of Swallows and the rest seemed to be Sand Martins, couldn't locate any of the House Martins seen earlier.

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