Lots of Snipes

After a couple of visits to sites that I have never been to before to or have visited only infrequently it was time to return to one of my usual spots. My regular Monday destination. Barnwell CP, failed to deliver the hoped for otters or any sign of a Kingfisher but there were a few things to report.

Marsh and Great Tits.

At least one Stock Dove was calling from trees near the visitor centre and a Mistle Thrush was also heard. Gadwall was the only duck breaking the Mallard monopoly, there were no sign of any Mandarins today. Siskins seemed to have increased and no doubt any one of these little finches might have made a nice meal for a passing male Sparrowhawk. A short spell in Lowlands Hide provided views of various tits and a pair of Reed Buntings but there was not much else about.

Reed Bunting and Dunnock.

From Barnwell I ventured along towards the river where much of the floodwater has drained away leaving a few scattered pools and the large area near the A605. On one of the smaller areas of floodwater a Shelduck had joined a small flock of Black-headed Gulls while a Water Rail called from vegetation near Lower Barnwell Lock. Nearby at the A605 flood a large flock of Wigeon were present, joining them were about twenty Shovellers and a similar number of Teal. I scoped the grassy margins of the flood for any Snipe as the area looked ideal for them. Unfortunately my scan produced four grey Herons and nothing else and it looked as if the only waders today would be the three hundred plus Lapwings feeding on the muddy fields beyond. It took a low flying Red Kite to change the situation, at least seventy Snipe were flushed skywards by the passing raptor. It's been a long time since I saw Snipe in anything like these numbers and I wonder if any Jacks might be skulking amongst the grasses?

Moorhen and Grey Heron.

On my way to the bus I stopped to check the church steeple for any Peregrines but drew a blank, not so surprising perhaps given how much potential food was on offer nearby.

A distant view of some floody fowl.