Willington Nature Reserve

An ominous start to the morning, just prior to setting off to Willington Nature Reserve there was a torrential downpour and distant thunder.  On arrival at Willington however, it was bone dry and very warm- what a difference a few miles makes.

We set off down the dusty lane towards the first viewing platform. We saw a blackbird and hedge sparrow along the way. We heard a great spotted woodpecker but didn't manage to see it. 

We reached the first viewing platform and could see that the water level was much lower than usual. We spotted moorhen, coot, lapwing, mute swan and a lone heron. 

Grey heron

Reed warbler

We then moved along the path to the next viewing platform. Lots of lush reeds, rather obscuring the view across the pond. However, we could see mute swan with cygnets, tufted duck, great crested grebe and occasionally a reed warbler would pop up from the reeds.

We then walked on to the only hide on the reserve, the view was much more expansive and there were plenty of birds in view. We benefited from the knowledge of a couple of guys who pointed out some of the trickier birds to spot.

We saw common tern, little egret, cormorant, lesser black-backed gull, herring gull, black-headed gull, common snipe,  mallard, Canada goose, greylag goose, oyster catcher, starling and a noisy water rail made a brief appearance just below the front of hide. Behind the hide there was a number of well stocked feeders. These were getting due care an attention from a number of young great tits and blue tits. A robin and hedge sparrow were benefiting from the spill off.

We then moved on to the last viewing platform, lots more terns and gulls to see and another mute swan with cygnets. We then made our way back to the car park, stopping off at the first viewing platform for one last look- spotting a lone common greenshank.

We then left the reserve for the nearby Mercia Marina for a jam and scone. 

Common greenshank

The tally: 31 species

Blackbird, hedge sparrow, woodpigeon, moorhen, coot, lapwing, heron, tufted duck, lesser black-backed gull, great crested grebe, blue tit, great tit, cormorant, little egret, mute swan, herring gull, common tern, mallard, chaffinch, common greenshank, Canada goose, reed warbler, common snipe, carrion crow, greylag goose, starling, oystercatcher, water rail, robin, house sparrow and a song thrush. Heard but not seen, great spotted woodpecker and chiffchaff.