It was not the best weather but at least Peter Jenkins and I did not get wet! However the threatening weather obviously put a lot of people off from going for a walk round the lake and so viewers were more of a trickle than a flood.

Like last year we set up at binocular leaning post on the canal side path. Again we posted notices from the causeway and Peter Jenkins and I were able to show people a variety of nests with Herons on them plus lots of Little Egrets setting about nesting. There were a good few “ooh”s and “ah”s as they saw Herons, Heron Chicks and Little Egrets up close for the first time. Most were surprised that they were looking at the far side of the lake.

Just for the record  incubation period for the Herons is about 27days with fledging 50 to 55 days from hatching. Given the size of some of the chicks those eggs must have been laid either late January or early February. In contrast the Little Egrets were just starting nesting and egg laying. We have pictures and videos on the news page of this website and on our YouTube channel and so go to one or both of those for more.

What else was about? To tell the truth not a lot. I think the cold was keeping the other birds quiet and inactive. There were some small birds - Tits, Chaffinches, Wrens and Dunnock - flitting about with calls from Blackcaps and Cetti's Warbler now and again. The odd Red Kite flew over but Swallows or Martins were yet to appear. There was a scattering of ducks out on the lake (Tufted, Mallard, Shoveler), some Canada Geese, Cormorants and Swans as well as Coots, Moorhens, Great-Crested Grebe, plus some Lesser Black-backed and numerous Black Headed Gulls in full breeding plumage.

Overall a successful afternoon despite the weather.

Dick Beeden