Little Grebe numbers increasing

A light NE wind, some sunshine with the odd light shower

First a couple of nice Curlew shots from Kevin Singleton taken a couple of days ago. 

One landing with its feathers acting like air brakes, only hopped off the wall

Just my afternoon stroll around Middleton Nature Reserve so far today (MD)

Mute Swan - 5 immature on the main pond, the two adult back to the "no swimming" pond where they nested last year. At least one more adult on Tim Butler pond.

Coot 6

This one was in flight across the main pond

This is why, it was being chased away from another's territory. This is the chasing bird

The two Coot on the "no swimming" pond were more relaxed

Moorhen 6

Mallard 16

Gadwall 8

Teal 2 on western scrape

Little Grebe at least 6 - these are three birds on the main pond. One of the two together was trilling, 

Summer plumage Little Grebe 

Water Rail 1 squealing 

Common Snipe 4

Grey Heron 1

Heron coming in to land on the "no swimming" pond

Little Egret 2 together flying east

Pheasant 1 male calling

Cetti's warbler 2 - singing birds on central and western marshes

Skylark 2 grounded bird(s) accidentally flushed