#indoorstoomuch

There was a break in the clouds on Friday afternoon, rather a break in the rain, the clouds were still there; so i made a dash for the Valley. Weather wise i did really well, one short heavy down pour but other than that it remained dry. With all the rain, as im sure most will already know, the water levels are high and still rising. The river has now flooded and from the little black bridge, its certainly the highest i've seen it in my short time of birding. Has the bridge ever become inpassable? My route today was from Hornchurch car park to Heronry via the viewing area, back with a few detours into the woods and then over the bridge. Along the top edge of the lower paddock to the fields, up to the little bridge by the fields footpath and along the top paddock. Then back down to the car park along the main path. A lot of activity with all the usual suspects including a first for the year, Reed Warbler. A couple of Red Legged Partridge in the fields. Next stop China

I had made my decision; i was going to spend more time over at Ingrebourne Valley, the more i go the more i enjoy it as i find the little pathways here and there that you dont see if youve only been a few times. This morning got off to a good start over there with the possibility of a patch tick, a Ring Ouzel. It would have been only the second of these i have seen after the female that hung about up by Aveley Bay last year. Lots of Whitehtroat both seen and heard, Sedge Warbler but heard only along with Reed Bunting all maes around the viewing area. Singing male Cettis Warbler were blasting out their tune and i counted four between the Hornchurch car park and the viewing area. Song Thrush were in fine voice again with five in the same area. I could hear Willow Warbler over to the woods but didnt see any, my first record of these this year. Blackcap, more Song Thrush, Whitethroat as i headed now towards the heronry in search of the Redstart that had just been see

Apparently " one Swallow does not make a summer"....... So i presume then Swallows , Blackcap , Whitethroat , Sedge Warbler & Wheatears is a step in the right direction. By 8.30am i was over at RSPB Rainham Marshes car park and heading along the Thames towards Aveley Bay and Serin Mound; the tide was in and not much was about along the river, a few Teal and Mallard dotted about with the odd Reed Bunting darting here and there . However a single Swallow came along the bank, low and on to the bay; my first of the year. Last year i saw my first on the 13th April, today being 15th. As i got to Serin Mound i heard the unmistakable scratching of a Whitethroat, it was sitting high on the bushes just before the Gorse. Then another a little further in. To my left a Wheatear flew over the mound and down towards the field; a couple on the ground there rather than on the pathway area by the bay where i was hoping to catch them. Last year; my first Wheatear at Rai

Just got back from Easter bank holiday at Centre Parcs, left Friday morning and am now exausted after a non stop four days. It was great fun and although i had been before i was 19 and now being 41 its changed and as such the activities we were involved in had changed too; pony trekking, easter egg decorating, roller skating; a kids based few days. However the pony trekking was over by the Country Club and as such i took my binoculars as the hide is there to. After both the ponies had all been fed, patted, photographed and ridden the other half and kids went in the Forresters Inn for a drink and play in the activity centre; i took my leave and headed off. What a great little hide; situated on the edge of a large pit which slopes away from you the deepest section is probably 30 foot lower providing great views from all angles. The ranger had placed numerous feeding stations up with mixed seed, niger etc and the whole place was busy, very busy. Goldfinch, Greenfinch and Chaf