Footage of the Water Rail

My first visit to the Mill Lakes in the hope of boosting my year list early on and catching up with the other regular birders for the latest news. The only thing about on the way there was a family party of three Bullfinch in a tree at Dawson's Corner. I walked most of the way in the dark, catching up with Norman at the Reedbed Boardwalk entrance.

The Pochard flock had increased, with around fifteen birds present and scattered over the water in small groups. By the Dipping ponds I was quick to pick up on a flock of around forty Golden Plover as they flew low heading south, over the grassy area, presumably from the fallow field near the main entrance. A great start to the morning. Two Cormorant flew in, then two - presumably the same birds - were seen sat at top of a tree on Greylag Island - the first time I've seen them in trees here.

A Great Spotted Woodpecker was heard drumming from the Willow Carr, and one was then seen in the trees near the Peninsula. Two Common Snipe were at the edge of Mud Island, and the odd Teal was nearby too. The main Siskin flock of around sixty birds were in the trees opposite the Peninsula, and other smaller groups were around too. There was no sign of the other regulars, so we went on, stopping to look at Mud Island again further up. First I got onto another Common Snipe, as it headed off the island and literally swam the channel to the far bank. Next I was onto the pair of Kingfisher, showing really well on a branch of the far bank, then I was onto the Water Rail too - I was on a roll. The Water Rail showed well for us as it emerged from a clump of branches and ran over Mud Island into the reeds on the far bank. Better still, I filmed it!

From the far side we picked out two Common Gull on the water amongst rather small numbers of Black-headed Gull. A male Great Spotted Woodpecker was at the top of tree along back ride. From the southern bank near the Vehicle Bridge, a single Great Crested Grebe was in the middle of the lake, and a Little Grebe was just off Tern Island.

Heading back via the Horse Paddock route with Norman, he picked up a single Stock Dove as it flew over the farmer's field behind Broad Valley Stables'. A large flock of around a hundred Woodpigeon went over Parkside Pasture, and four Mistle Thrush were in the field by the entrance to Bestwood Quarry.