I was hoping for a chance to catch up with the guys I usually go birding with this morning as it was family service at Ellie's church to which she always takes Tristan. However, because I had left it late trying to organise anything no-one else could make it and instead I popped up to the reservoir after dropping the rest of the family off.
From the northern causeway I noted a Little Egret as it flew from the shoreline near the Sailing Club and headed south down the reservoir (I could not relocate it later so it may have kept going). Also on the water an adult and juvenile Great Black-backed Gull, both of which were being mobbed by the other large gulls present. West Pool held a small flock of Canada Geese which seemed to be new arrivals, and a male Reed Bunting was seen in the waterside vegetation.
I then headed down to the southern end and scanned from the hide. Water levels have dropped a little meaning there is a bit of exposed mud and this had attracted a few passage waders, with two Green Sandpipers and five Common Sandpipers present. A couple of Sand Martins passed through, only seeming to linger for a few minutes before heading south. On the water the number of moulting duck seem to have increased and amongst the Mallards was a single female Teal. Also present a family group of seven Mandarin, including several juvenile birds so it looks as if the species has successfully bred at SBR again this year.
Finally, on the butterfly front, at least two Gatekeepers were on the wing near the hide and a very fresh looking Meadow Brown was also seen.
All in all a pretty productive morning this morning, especially as I had originally planned to travel further afield.
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