A Group of 10 embarked on a beautiful morning walk in the hope to see as many spring migrants as possible. Due to some flooding around the middle of the path along the lake that was impassable without wellies, our plan was to start by the reedbed, turn around to the farm flood and then go to the hides nearer the entrance. 

As soon as we started, we heard and briefly saw a very loud Reed Warbler. This was certainly the more prominent warbler on the walk. Shortly after, we were treated to an aerial display by 4 Swifts, which appeared along multiple points along the lake. By the fields, we saw a single Chiffchaff and a Great Spotted Woodpecker, which I later found out that it was likely a parent of some fledglings that were calling from a hole in a tree between shoveler hide and the heron viewpoint. This was confirmed when one of the parents returned to this hole to presumably feed the chicks. The theme of chicks was quite a common one and we saw some Coot chicks on the side of the lake behind the heronry. By the reeds, we heard another 2 Reed Warblers very well but they were too hidden to be seen. Another member of the group saw a Sedge Warbler further along briefly. On the lake, we could see the immense number of Black-headed Gull nests, which were present on pretty much every raft, island and shrub. On one raft, we were lucky to see some Black-headed Gull chicks and 2 pairs of Common Terns. Other Common Terns were showing their acrobatics as they were fishing along the surface of the water. Also along the surface were 2 Swallows, which we saw more of later. 

On the way to the farm, we got brief views of a Garden Warbler. A little further long and we finally got a much better view of a Reed Warbler adjacent to a Swans nest opposite the causeway. On the farm floods, there was a single lingering Lapwing and by the paddocks, there were approximately 30 Swallow, flying very close to us. Among the Swallows was a single House Martin that flew through very quickly past us. 

Near the entrance of the lake, we finally saw our first Blackcap after hearing multiple along the way. By the heron viewpoint, we were able to see a few Common Terns closer up, in addition to the surplus of Little Egrets and Herons. Lastly, we saw a Great Crested Grebe nest, which has been present for some time now. 

Other Species included: 

Greylag Goose

Canada Goose

Egyptian Goose

Gadwall

Pochard

Tufted Duck

Stock Dove

Woodpigeon

Herring Gull

Lesser Black-Backed Gull

Cormorant

Red Kite

Buzzard

Kingfisher

Parakeet

Jay

Magpie

Jackdaw

Crow

Blue Tit

Great Tit

Cetti’s Warbler 

Long-tailed Tit

Wren

Starling

Blackbird

Robin

Dunnock

Greenfinch

Goldfinch

Reed Bunting

Mallard

Moorhen

House Sparrow

Pied Wagtail

Many thanks to all those who came along today and I hope you enjoyed the walk.

Shaan Purohit