Number eleven!

An early morning visit to the Spit Hide produced nothing new. The Spoonbills were very distant and even with a 400mm lens they look a long way away! A little better when drastically cropped but only a record.

A few Linnets, a couple of Willow Warblers, a single Wheatear and that was about it..

...except for the resident Blackbird and a high flying,singing Skylark.

Skylark. .gaining height.

So it was time to explore the North Wall....Cettis were singing in the reedbed and a Robin greeted me by the horses field.

...almost 200 Black Tailed Godwits were feeding/sleeping on the muddy Breech Pool.

I met Peter Callis who asked if I'd heard a Sedge Warbler but on returning to  the sluice gate  it was not performing but patience was rewarded as, after a few minutes,  it suddenly burst into song...unfortunately  neither of us saw it as it remained well hidden! A couple of Swallows flew by and a pair of Buzzards were performing way above us. Slightly unusual was the number of Mute Swans hanging about in Whites Creek.

Back at home Mrs Mallard left the nest in the garden sink last night at 9.00pm and did not return until 10 past 6 this morning. She remained on the 'nest' until 2.50pm when I noted there were 11 eggs and returned at about 5.00 pm.

Room for one more, perhaps!

I am concerned at the erratic brooding times and don't understand why she leaves them all night...getting cold.