With thanks to volunteer Graham for his report and photographs.
With heavy rain forecast for the afternoon I was grateful for some cool dry weather in the morning at PB on Sunday. Distant mist provided an atmospheric view from the Visitor Centre.
A cock Pheasant posed near the top of Upperton’s Field.
On the way down the zigzag path groups of Greenfinch, Goldfinch and Lesser Redpoll proved to be too elusive for a photo, but, after I put out some seed at Fattengates Courtyard, a plump male Chaffinch sat for a portrait.
On the way to West Mead I spotted a small flock of Meadow Pipits feeding among the rain-sprinkled grass in Fattengates Field.
I reached West Mead Hide, where I stayed for the whole day, being kept busy by a steady stream of visitors. A good number of bird species were on show. Ducks included Mallard, one male making a vocal splash landing.
There were lots of Pintail, most of them keeping their distance but some occasionally flying within photographic range.
Three male Shovelers put on a show of formation swimming.
Other duck species on the main pond included a pair each of Gadwall and Tufted Duck. As has been customary in recent weeks a number of Snipe gave visitors some very satisfying views,
and some aerial action was provided by Lapwings.
A regular visitor spotted about 20 Black-tailed Godwits come into land beyond the pond. They stayed put for the day, providing some very acceptable scoped views.
I did not manage to locate the reported Water Pipit during the morning, but in the afternoon, after fellow volunteer Martin and his friend Richard had arrived, a visitor spotted the Water Pipit on one of the islands. A number of visitors were then able to enjoy some extended views as it hopped between the islands. I was also able to get some distant photos.
Richard located a single Dunlin and I spotted a couple of Ruff.
Martin and Richard braved the rain to head for Nettley's Hide while I stayed put before eventually making the return journey to the Visitor Centre.
Editors notes:
The Water Pipit does not breed in England and with a small number (perhaps in the region of 300) birds visiting over winter it can be a tricky bird to see. The Water Pipit breeds in alpine regions and curiously (whilst most birds move South for the winter) the breeding population from the mountains of southern Europe move north for the winter. Its favoured habitat during the winter months is freshwater and coastal marshes in England. Find out more about Water Pipits and how to distinguish them from the Meadow Pipits that we see here year round on the RSPB's bird and wildlife A - Z.