Reports of winter visitors abound. A Great Grey Shrike visited Stevenage, Waxwings are on the move and even a White-tailed Eagle has been seen above the skies of Luton, heading north. My own sightings have added a few ticks to my year list, predominantly via a couple of visits to Great Amwell.
A day off on Monday meant I had the reserve virtually to myself (aside from the birds obviously). Spending a good deal of time in the White Hide paid dividends as I was entertained at close quarters by a pair of Snipe, as they probed the snow at the lake edge.
Shovelers were congregating in good number, a pair swimming below the hide and under the gaze of my lens.
Further out, a Great Crested Grebe fished below the surface. It will soon be looking to pair up and perform it's courtship display.
Walking back, I dropped in on James Hide and for a few minutes was treated to some real close up views of gorgeous Reed Buntings and Long-tailed tits.
And so I ambled home through the snow after a beautifully peaceful day, broken only by a lovely conversation with a fellow watcher that furnished me with locations for spoonbills, cranes and merlins in East Anglia. A nice way to spend a day-off.
Day list: Jay, Great tit, Blue tit, Heron, Shoveler, Wigeon, Tufted Duck, Snipe, Cormorant, Coot, Great crested Grebe, Long-tailed tit, Reed Bunting, Goldfinch
