An earlier start this week and seemingly less about on the main lake than recently. However on closer inspection the Coots were distributed around the edge of the lake and island. I could not make out many Wigeon this week, in the low light but JA confirmed the usual numbers when he arrived later and had also had a Water Rail on the island.
On Fingers there were a dozen Gadwall, 2 pairs of Shoveler, single Tufted Duck and 3 Little Grebe. Along the Spit Bullfinch were seen along with a couple of Redwing and at least 6 Blackbirds.
At Kramer hide there were 5 Teal (3m2f) and 3 Kingfishers. Male and Female Sparrowhawks flew in, being harassed by Corvids.
Along the cycle track the lakes were very quiet again with just a couple of Little Grebe on the small pool. On the big lake a single Little Grebe was the highlight, along with a large party of Canada Geese, a couple of Mute Swans and a handful of Coots. Just 2 Coot on Meadow Lane GP.
On the slope up to the bridge over the bypass there was a dead Badger. There was a party of Long-tailed Tits moving between the trees on either side of the slope. At the Tern Pool there were 13 Tufted Ducks and a couple of Mute Swans.
Plenty of Skylarks and Meadow Pipits in the fields either side of the bypass and good numbers of Lapwing and Golden Plover moving overhead between the fields and the pits. There were at least 90 Golden Plover and similar numbers of Lapwing but it was difficult to count due to the unsettled nature of the flocks.
Back at Fingers there were a couple of pairs of Teal around the back by the Sedgewick Seat. A few Pochard could be seen across the main lake by the hide, Gadwall were into double figures on the main lake and there were 2 large groups of Gulls on the main lake, mostly Black-headed but some Common also.
