The Last Few days!

 Stunning male Brambling was a nice early morning surprise a few days ago

Spotted Flycatcher 1 of several that have arrived in the last few days

With lots going on domestically the last couple of weeks I haven't been able to update the blog daily but hope to get back to normal from now on. Above and below are images of the highlights of the last few days. The Littlestone Serin is still singing and showing well, a Bee-eater was seen at lade, at least 2 Garganey are frequenting the ARC, also a single immature Great White Egret remains around the reserve. Bitterns and Bearded Tits seem to be showing themselves much more readily. 

 Whiskered Tern

On the 20th Burrowes Pit hosted a Whiskered Tern which was joined by a Roseate Tern in the afternoon. On the Islands a bit of a wader fest with Curlew, Whimbrel, Bar-tailed Godwits, Knot, Grey Plover, Sanderling, Dunlin, Ringed Plovers, Little Ringed Plover and Oystercatchers.

 Roseate Tern

Roseate Tern with the Whiskered Tern giving a fly by

Firecrest trapped at the observatory

 Todays superb male Red-backed Shrike in The Moat, a second bird was found at the ARC late afternoon by JH.

I saw the Bittern 6 times today as it flew from Boulderwall to the Tower Pits and back

 Great Tit nesting in a traffic cone in the VC car park, there's also a pair of Blue Tits feeding young in a Life Ring in the pumping station at the Long Pits.