Plenty of Pipits!

I managed to make a couple of visits into the valley today, before work at 7.15am for 45 minutes and after work at 3.45pm for a couple of hours. The early shift had a bit of sun which was pleasant but the afternoon session was cloudy and dull. Birds noted this morning from the ramp and Feast hide included 6 Mute Swan, 1 Pheasant, 4 Fieldfare, 4 Marsh Harrier, 2 Cetti's Warbler, 8 Tufted Duck, 9 Shoveler, 6 Gadwall, 2 Pochard, 4 Greenfinch in the paddock with one in song, 4 Reed Bunting, 2 Pintail from the main pool, 5 Greylag Geese, 2 Linnet, 1 Water Rail, c110 Lapwing and 1 Little Egret flew north. I decided on a walk down to the water meadows after work already having looked from the ramp and Feast hide. A few bits of interest included 2 Goldcrest, 2 Bullfinch, c400 Fieldfare, 1 Great spotted Woodpecker, 2 Grey Heron, 2 Cetti's Warbler and 1 Ruff. I was hoping for the odd Water Pipit as I still needed it for the year and not to be disappointed I managed to see 30 Water Pipit on the water meadows along with 17 Pied Wagtail. There were 58 Cormorant, 12 Long tailed Tit, c400 Lapwing, 1 Redshank, 11 Mute Swan, 1 Water Rail and as I walked back to the ramp the 5 Tundra Bean Geese flew east over the ramp at 5.10pm towards Sarre. Not the best light today but a few subjects were photographed this morning and nice to see a few birds from the hide.

 Teal 

 Shoveler

Gadwall