Monday started off with a great selection of feathered friends. From Pickup you could see Brambling, Redpoll, and a Sparrowhawk. Around the Visitor Centre there were Willow Tits and a Song Thrush. Over the reserve were 5 Buzzards and a Kestrel.
Tuesday saw Mistle Thrushes, Willow, Blue and Great Tits, a Little Owl in the paddock and again 3 more Buzzards circling over the reserve.
Wednesday began with a Brambling at Pickup, along with Linnet, Bullfinches and a Marsh Harrier. From around the boardwalk were reports of Jay, Kingfisher, Willow and Long-tailed Tits and over the reserve were 5 Buzzards, a Peregrine Falcon and a Red Kite.
Thursday was good for Linnets, with sightings of 10-12 near the Visitor Centre. A Sparrowhawk was seen swooping at the bird feeders in the wildlife garden and a Little Owl was in the field behind the Visitor Centre.
Today (Friday) has been great for Waterfowl. From Lin Dike hide over Spoonbill Flash there were 20+ Wigeon and 15+ Shovelers. There were also 7 Grey Herons, 10+ Lapwing, a hand full of Teal and along Arrow Lane (Lin Dike path) a keen birder identified the call of a Water Rail, which sounds similar to a piglet squeal. All in all a pretty fantastic week.