Thanks to volunteer John Underwood for his report from this morning's wander.
It may be June but it was a bit nippy when I arrived in the car park. Being English weather the sun popped out now and again but the clouds won the day and it was still chilly when I got back. As a result there were no dragonflies to be seen but I did manage my first Meadow Brown of the year and a Cinnabar Moth in all it's grey and crimson gorgeousness.
Meadow Brown by Anne Harwood
As I exited the Visitor's Centre the Hollybush Hill Cuckoo greeted me and carried on calling for some time. Has no-one told it that it should change it's tune in June? It seems that the Chiffchaffs and Common Whitethroat haven't learnt either. A few 'Chiffs' were half-heartedly singing and the Whitethroats were again shouting the odds all round the Reserve. Four Greenfinch sat quietly on a dead elm and a Song Thrush couldn't decide which snatch of song he preferred.
At Redstart Corner a couple of Long-tailed Tits flew across, inevitably followed by the rest of the family - twelve in all. Goldfinches flittered and tinkled and a gang of about fifty young Starling played " follow my leader".
Juvenile Starlings by Dan Sayers
Word was that there was a rarity near the Pig Run and the twitchers were out in force to play hunt the Savi's Warbler. I felt that I should do my duty and wander down there just in case. By now the sun was out and so were the Swifts and Sand Martins. There must have been some dragonflies as three Hobby put on a brilliant aerobatic performance twisting turning and diving in pursuit of their lunch. A Sedge warbler flitted about in the small reed bed and a handsome Reed Bunting posed while singing it's weedy little song. A number of scopes and cameras appeared accompanied by optimistic birders but we neither saw the Savi's nor heard it's distinctive reeling song.
I stopped at Winpenny and didn't count the Swans but did tick five Avocet, three of which were large youngsters. A Sedge Warbler sang loudly outside the hide and a Skylark made a brief appearance.
Sedge Warbler by Dan Sayers
Several Grey Heron flapped lazily about or stood motionless in the reeds as if they had forgotten why they were there. A Buzzard flew in and landed causing the Black-headed Gulls a moment of panic but all was soon quiet again.
The walk back was quiet too, apart from the Whitethroat having a singing competition. At one point I could hear four different birds competing.
As I enjoyed the view from the terrace a Mistle Thrush flew busily across. A nice end to a pleasant morning.