October

 Very quiet on the birding scene.

this pied wagtail had Singleton lagoon to itself. Marshland had more birds

the barn owl had returned from hunting

two spotted redshanks were joined by a pair of shovelers. The males are looking smarter as their breeding plumage emerges.

a black tailed godwit joined the spotted redshanks for a preen

this one decided to shelter near one of the islands.

This marsh harrier had some new prey to hunt

a large flock of golden plover were in a ploughed field near the reserve.

Pink feet flying over the reserve early morning

they were in the stubble fields near the reserve, but the fields have now been ploughed so the geese have further to travel, I guess it won't be long before they fly to Norfolk. Regular reports on twitter about whooper swans, but I have not seen any this autumn yet. I am always reminded of the poem by William Butler Yeats "The Wild Swans at Coole"

The trees are in their autumn beauty

The woodland paths are dry

Under the October twighlight the water

Mirrors on a still sky

Upon the brimming water amongst the stones

Are 9 and fifty swans..........................