Wet

Saturday again...over the Valley however this time my dad tagged along with Me and No.1 son. Raining, not hard; but enough to make it unpleasant.

 

Dad's only been over the Ingrebourne once before and by the sounds of it went over the iron bridge to the top paddock and back.

 

We went first to the small stream behind the play area....now for the last few months i've been looking for Kingfisher and Snipe, even at the birders beer the other Friday i was saying to Dick i was after Kingfisher - nothing, not even heard one.

 

So explaining to Dad, this areas good, its had Water Rail, Grey Wagtail, Kingfisher....whats that he asks as a bird darted towards us and landed on the first main tree over hanging the stream.....noooooo, Kingfisher and not only can you see it clearly, its still. The best views i've ever had before it vanished off back the way it came.

 

A Valley first and a 2012 first as well.

 

courtesy of www.theora.com

 

We headed on along to the main marsh not thinking we were going to get far as the rain seemed to be coming down harder: Cettis Warbler, Mixed Tits, Moorhens, Shoveller, Mallard, Teal, Little Egret.

 

The lower paddock seemed empty compared to last time, no Fieldfare only one Redwing, a few Chaffinch, Goldfinch & Greenfinch.  A Robin and Dunnock.

 

Heading back down now to the Iron Bridge and it turns out Dads not seen a Goldcrest, so we set about checking all the tit flocks as they flitted about. The first group were just mixed tit however the second group i hear the call, we tracked the bird in the bushes for a bit before it flew accross the path and into the other side - to far. A minute later and we could see it, not great but Dad got his tick.

 

We hung around and finally it flew to our side of the hedgerow and we were within 5 feet - great views!