Brockholes Wetland - 20th March 2010

We spent 2 hours down at Brockholes this afternoon with the hope of seeing the Med. Gull that were reported there on Thursday or even some of the returning Sand Martin. We pulled up into the layby and scanned the Main Pool from the car as the rain had just started again. Canada Geese, Shoveler, Moorhen, Coot, Gadwall, Tufted Duck, Teal, and Grey Heron could all be seen. Then just as Mike pulled up Reeces eagle eyes went to work and spotted 6 Snipe with a 7th seen later. A Redshank flew over calling as well as a number of Oystercatcher and even though we searched through the Black-headed Gull in hope of seeing a Med we had no luck. We then crossed over to scan No.1 Pool and the large Gull roost containing Herring, Lesser-black Backed and Black headed. We added Goldeneye and Lapwing to our list before Reece again picked out 2 Little Ringed Plover on the top end of the pool. 6 Snipe were on the island but when we returned to the Main Pool Reece checked and the Snipe had gone so they had probably crossed over. Nick Green spotted 2 more Little Ringed Plover on the island before we moved on taking the count to 4 for the day. Reece saw Chaffinch, Reed Bunting, Robin, Wren Blue & Great Tit and Pied Wagtail on a walk up the path. On returning to the cars Bill arrived and we chatted for a while and added Buzzard, Magpie and Carrion Crow to the days list as well as 3 Roe Deer that were flushed by a group of walkers at the for side of the pool.