Glossy No Show

 This morning I decided to head over to Wellingborough and have a look at the long staying Glossy Ibises which have been spending a lot of time feeding in a wet field close to the Embankment. Frost covered pavements sparkled in the streetlights as I made my way to the bus stop which is close to the train station. A pink blush on the horizon hinted at the dawn to come and Robins and Great Tits serenaded me as I waited for my bus. An unusually punctual X4 trundled off into the last vestiges of the waning night and brought me to Wellingborough a little over an hour later.

Egyptian Geese and Great White Egret

Sadly the frost which had beguiled me on my way to the station had frozen the puddles and pools in the ibises favourite field with the result that they did not put in an appearance, seemingly they spent the day in the Summer Leys area. Despite the dip I decided to make the most of things and headed off along the Nene towards Ditchford. There was a Great White Egret at Chester House Lake and others were scattered around Ditchford. A brownhead Goosander flew from the lake and headed towards the Nene, I saw it later on the stretch close to the footbridge near Chester House itself. Beyond the viaduct a cream-crowned Marsh Harrier was the highlight, I could find little else of note. On my way back into town I heard and then saw a Raven while a further pair of Goosanders were noted flying along the Nene. After a quick drink in the local 'spoons I caught my bus home  which once again defied its reputation by being on time.

Goosander and Marsh Harrier