A Ticking Sort Of day

I've had a good day; a day that makes you smile and not only that the sun came out! So why have i had a good day?
 
Well it all started with a visit this morning over the Valley, my nemesis of late being the Siskin. Since my garden has been full of them lately it has given my time to brush up on the songs and calls and while at at work the other day, i picked one up from its chatter. Time to put it to the test over the Valley. I decided to head for the Albyns Farm car park and the small lake by the works compound; some Alders there that may help the cause.
 
Upon arrival there was nothing, a couple of Goldfinch so i took a wander onto and around the Ingrebourne Hill nothing much around here today apart from the Male Shelduck coming into land and plenty of Crow & Skylark.
 
Tit Lake held the usual, so as it was a quick visit i headed back. Im glad i did. The sound of Siskin around the lake, not just one bird maybe for or five, i picked up a male on the Alder. Tick One - An Ingrebourne Valley Lifer
 
Back at home somehow i had managed to blag myself a trip to Rainham and whilst getting ready the phone went with Dave McGough leaving a message about a pair of Garganey on the main scrape, Rainham was going to have to wait. Tick Two - An Ingrebourne Valley Lifer
 




 
I then headed to Rainham, bumping into Bradders on the wall he mentioned Ruff on the Target Pools. Why Not...a took a brisk walk round to the viewing area neglecting to go into the hide. It paid dividends Ruff x2 Tick Three - A 2013 Year Tick.
 
Finally at home again and just sitting down for dinner when, Tweets come in re a rather oily Red Throated Diver in Aveley Bay. Tick Four - An out and out Lifer. Ok, it looked a bit manky but it was alive, diving and moving about quite well but was definately covered in an oily glupe and spent a lot of time on the mud.
 
On the way home the final tick of the day, Golden Plover Tick Five - An Ingrebourne Valley Lifer. C75 birds in the ploughed field, Valley Side just before the Optimist Pub.
 


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