Sunday, 2 Grey plovers were on Crossland's lake, along with the juvenile Pectoral sandpiper, 4 Black-tailed godwits, Greenshank & 6 Ruffs, The Jack snipe was still showing on the eastern shore of the Main lake, Other waders, were 3 Green sandpipers, 2 Redshanks & 13 Curlews,

Saturday, A Jack snipe & 2 Bitterns were on the Main lake, The juvenile Pectoral sandpiper, 3 Ruff & Whooper swan, plus 4 fly over Ruffs were about Crossland's lake, 4 Black-tailed godwits on the Village lake, with 50 Curlews about the reserve, Also, Green sandpipers on Island lake & East Holm

Friday, A Rock pipit briefly at the south end of Crossland's lake, On Crossland's lake, 4 Black-tailed godwits, 7 Ruff, juvenile Pectoral sandpiper, Redshank, 24 Eygptian geese, Ruddy shelduck & a Whooper swan, 5,000+ Pink-footed geese north in the early morning, plus 500+ in fields at the West End,

Some more birds from this bright & sunny morning - Reflections of a Little egret on the Reed-bed Sleeping drake Shoveler with 'fluffing' Ruff More Little egret reflections on the Far lake The Crossland's Whooper swan in flight

Thursday, 6 Ruffs were on either the Reed-bed or Crossland's lake, with 3 Redshanks & the juvenile Pectoral sandpiper on the latter. Also on Crossland's lake, a Whooper swan, About 1,000 Pink-footed geese were feeding in fields at the West End, Several small parties of Redwings moving west wards,

Despite being overcast & rain, got some more views of the Pectoral sandpiper on Crossland's lake. Hopefully it will here tomorrow when the weather & light will be much better

Wednesday, With the north west winds, came the 1st Whooper swans of the autumn, 9 briefly on Crossland's lake, herds of 42 south east, 22 south, 15 west & a single, Waders today, 6 Ruffs (including 5 juveniles), Common & Green sandpiper, 3 Redshanks & the Pectoral sandpiper (all Crossland's lake)

Marsh harrier & Bittern on the eastern shore of the Main lake. The Marsh harrier seemed interested in a particular area of the shore, making several swoops & eventually briefly landing in the reeds

The icing on the cake to any visit from Whooper swans is to watch the departure of these magnificent birds. But here is to hope that there are suitable feeding fields nearby, so that we may end up with birds roosting on the reserve

With the north west winds this morning, came the 1st expected Whooper swans of the autumn, with herds of 9 briefly on Crossland's lake, then herds of 42 south east, 22 south, 15 west, plus a single,

There will be better photos available, but my take on the Pectoral sandpiper. Easier to find than I thought it would be, poor light & it flew off a few times as the accompanying Lapwing panicked on several occasions (but always came back to the lake)

Tuesday, Yesterday's Pectoral sandpiper still on Crossland's lake, with 2 adult & 5 juvenile Ruffs, A Greenshank on East Holm, Common sandpiper on the Village lake, plus 2 Green sandpipers on Island lake, 74 Golden plovers circled the reserve, 'Ring-tailed' Hen harrier flying south over West Holm,

Thank you

Thank you

As autumn goes, obviously the number of insect flying have decreased, so it was good to to see what I believe is Epistrophe grossularie (although happy to be corrected!)

Continuing this morning's surprise was one of the drake Mandarins in the open on West Holm with the Mallards. Usually when on the Far lake, it is hidden by various bits of vegetation, but here it was clear to seen it in all it's developing glory