Highlights from Before the Rain

This morning's visit to the Mill Lakes produced a male Kestrel hunting over the Pit Tip Top at 5am, and a singing male Blackcap on the edge of the woodland. The usual Common Whitethroat was singing at Dawson's Corner, and a singing male Reed Warbler was near the Reedbed Boardwalk. On the lake, a summer plumage male Ruddy Duck was north of the Peninsula and a female Gadwall was at the north end throughout the morning. A Common Buzzard drifted over to the south, being mobbed by a Carrion Crow, and the female Little Ringed Plover was nearby. A pair of Coot have nested on the small 'tree root' island near to Mud Island and the shingle island, and have at least three young. Two Grey Heron were in the nest, at least one being a juvenile. The rain came in at around 7am, so I headed home early.