Saturday 5 January 2013

Hilfield Park Reservoir - 30 December 2012

After a sustained period of dank, dark days that spanned the festive period, it was a real relief to be able to get out to join the guys from Maple Cross under clear blue skies. The catch was modest and made up, mainly of re-trapped visitors to the feeding station. The feeders are stocked up regularly and these birds obviously know that return visits are worthwhile. Rail traps were also set and I was fortunate enough to get the only new bird of the day. It was my first Water Rail but the third ringed at the site in recent weeks.

Late in the session a single waxwing flew over.
 
 
Water Rail, adult