Shorncote revisited.......

Feb 22 - A morning visit before the rain. Water levels have dropped, but 150+ Wigeon present along with 30+ Teal, 6 Gadwalls and a pair of Shoveler. I finally saw one of the mythical Shorncote Water Rails briefly in the open.....and heard several more. A large flock of 250+ Lapwings passed over, a Green Sandpiper was on the stream and a Snipe called. A taste of spring despite the temperatures with Skylark, Song Thrush and 3 Reed Buntings singing, along with 3 Cetti's Warblers. 2 Chiffchaffs along the stream but no sign of the wintering Siberian Chiffchaff, nor of the Grey Wagtail or Stonechat. A flock of 150+ Fieldfares/Redwings around the playing fields, and the Little Owl in the usual pollarded willow. A stop at pit 74 gateway on the way home produced a count of 35 Shoveler and 6 Pintail (4 drakes) on the scrape, as the forecast rain started.