Rain but still a good morning

March to date - 79 miles
Year to date - 403 miles

Off to Wassand hide again this morning in the rain, which was forecast to last a couple of hours but stop around 9ish. The forecast was as near as damn it correct and I was under cover in the hide for the worst of it.

A couple of Marsh Harrier were flapping around over the reed bed at the north side opposite the hide.

cream crown Marsh Harrier

A couple of Grey Heron were hunting over the reed bed too.

Grey Heron came pretty close to the hide

A drake Goosander flew east in front of the hide which was a good sight as it's a bird we don't see very often. They sometimes land on the Mere but don't tend to stay very long.

drake Goosander heading east

Coot and Jackdaws were gathering nesting material, with Coot making a real racket in the reeds.

I heard a Water Rail but it never showed itself today. Same with Cetti's Warbler but that's nothing new.

I heard two Green Woodpeckers yaffling in the trees but never managed to get a glimpse of them. A pair of Jay were calling and flying to and fro in the wood as well. They are a beautiful looking bird but their behaviour doesn't match their looks unfortunately :( still, it's all part of nature's rich pageant as someone once said.