0830—1200  Initially still and 3deg; fresh W and rain imminent by close of play. I circuited the creek and associated ponds from Oare village. 21 Little Grebe were located and the Kingfisher was very mobile. 4 Long-tailed Tits were in hawthorns ; a Cettis was singing at head of the creek, and 6 Little Egrets were feeding in the low creek waters. 25 Dunlin; 5 Black-tailed Godwit and a single Bar-tailed Godwitwere in Oare creek. A Little Owl was prominently perched in a favoured spot, and returning on the road , a Merlin swept low across the arable fields and over the creek towards Nagden. 28 Gadwall; 76 Teal and 54 Tufted Duck accumulatively were in Ham Road ponds with 3 Great-crested Grebes and circa 40 Coot. Pochard were scarce, but vision remains frustratingly obscured along Ham Road !
Mike Roser