4th May - sunny periods, 16C but mod-breezy E wind feeling cooler

It was good to see a Mistle thrush feeding a fledgling in the paddock today, so the Magpie failed to steal the eggs/young from the nest.  Hopefully, the other parent was nearby with another youngster.

A quick look at Shawell lagoons this morning did not produce much as the east wind was whipping up the water a lot making it rather unpleasant. A couple of Great-crested Grebes and 4 Mute Swans were in the lee of the bank, but not much else.  A Little-ringed Plover was feeding along the shore.

After lunch it was a visit to Stanford reservoir, again rather exposed to the easterly.  6 Greenshank were still present as was a Whimbrel and Dunlin.  The Cuckoo was calling near the main reed bed.    A Canada and Greylag Goose pair each had goslings with them, 4 and 5 respectively.

Peacock, orange-tip and Peacock Butterflies were seen, and a Muntjac deer.

The next photo shows the inlet area which is essentially drained providing lots of area for waders to feed and explains why we are having such a good selection of waders is currently appearing here.