14th April - sunny spells, light showers pm, mod-breezy NW, 13C

This morning I had a look at the pools field at Cotesbach, a single Mallard drake and two pairs of Tufted Duck were present, little else was around the pools field.  A Pheasant and 2 Red-legged Partridge were in the long grass, 3 Buzzard were over the spinney, calling and hanging in the wind.  In the Ash trees along the hedge several Tree Sparrows were vocal.

I had a look at Stanford reservoir again this afternoon.  A single Ringed Plover remained with 2 Common Sandpipers nearby.  Plenty of Pied Wagtails, several White and 3 Yellow were around too.  A Sedge Warbler was singing from the reeds near the hide. Several Lapwing have stayed around the reservoir and are displaying, hopefully they will raise young.

The usual duck were present as yesterday, but I was able to find the Long-tailed Duck again, which seems to have settled here.  No doubt once it has finished moulting in to adult plumage it will be off.

The NW winds seem to have slowed migration and we are awaiting the next batch of summer migrants to return, I expect over the next few days  new species will turn-up.

An interesting bracket fungi was spotted along the path the other day.