Date: 22/05/24

Seven of BG2 braved the heavy rain, which lasted for virtually the whole of our trip. But despite this we had an enjoyable and fruitful day.

We started the day at the Lyndon visitor centre, where we saw the live feed of the female Osprey sheltering her one chick in the nest from the pouring rain.

On the way to the first hide we heard a Skylark and a Cuckoo and saw a Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Song Thrush and numerous red Cardinal beetles on the leaves of bushes we passed by.

Tufted Duck Hide

The highlights in our first hide were a Grey Heron flying past, several Common Tern flying around and feeding and an otter surfacing and diving as it swam past.

Other birds we saw were:

Waderscape Hide

This was a more luxurious hide with padded seats and it was opposite the Osprey’s nest. It also had a live feed to the nest, but through the scopes there we had a good view of the female sat on the nest and the male sat on a pole behind.

We also had an excellent view through the scope of a Cuckoo sat in a tree, one of the highlights of the day.

There were several Reed Buntings flying from Bulrush to Bulrush and Gadwall flying about. Also Tufted Ducks, a Sedge Warbler, Stock Doves and what appeared to be several juvenile Cormorants, with mottled plumage, sat in a tree.

Shallow Water Hide

Here we saw quite a few Great Crested Grebes, including one female sat on a nest and a pair gradually building their nest, constantly bringing mouthfuls of foliage from under the water to build it up.

From this hide we could still see both the Ospreys, but without the scopes it was more difficult to get a good view. However, we were treated to a view of the male flying for a short time and the female sitting up and looking around, presumably waiting for the next meal.

Two Yellow Wagtails were walking and flying around the shore in front of us, along with a Pied Wagtail flying from reed to reed, seemingly collecting foliage for its nest. Again, there were the Common Terns with their athletic moves, and several Mallard Ducklings ? swimming or sitting on the shore.

We then moved onto the Egleton visitors centre and visited the Osprey Hide, where we heard a Cetis Warbler and saw several Greylag Geese and Black Headed Gulls. During this walk we saw several bushes stripped of their leaves and looking like something Halloween, totally covered in webs made by the caterpillars of Small Ermine Moths.

Sandpiper Hide

Here there were some Shovelers, Mallards and Moorhen. But two Oyster Catchers and a pair of Egyptian Geese were the highpoints.

Our final visit was to the Dunlin Hide, where we saw more Oyster Catchers and Egyptian Geese, along with a Redshank and a Dunlin. But our biggest challenge of the day was identifying what turned out to be a Grey Plover.

On our way back to our cars we were very lucky to see a Mandarin Duck, with its distinct head plumage, just outside the visitors centre. A fitting end to our successful day.

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