Following two weeks of tripping, we stayed in the county on Saturday, visiting all the old haunts again just to see if spring had sprung yet. Apart from a couple of Ringed Plover and Oystercatcher there was little sign. I suppose until the first Sand Martins arrive, it won't feel like spring.
After Westport, we visited Doxey where the Water Pipit was feeding beneath the Pensioner Pollards. There was also a very obliging Reed Bunting that kindly allowed me to have another practise with my awkward new camera.
A few Teal also allowed me to dabble with the camera from the tin hide.
We also visited Branston Pits again. Not a bad visit until we waited till dusk for a roding Woodcock, that decided not to rode tonight. We did see a few waders - Oystercatcher, Dunlin, Green Sandpiper and quite a flock of Golden Plover.
Another early start at work on Thursday 8th saw an afternoon visit to Shotwick, where the drake Lesser Scaup had finally settled down and stayed at the same pool for two days running. A decent Welsh tick and in fact it is the first record for North Wales.
Drake Lesser Scaup
Cop Hole Pool on Shotwick Fields.
