Chiffchaffs & Waxwings

Recent rains meant that the patch was still flooded today. The main drive entrance was knee deep with floodwater, despite recent sightings being reported from the platforms (including 2 Ruff!). These must have been from people with waders or perhaps just people braver than I am!
I thought perhaps it would be possible to avoid this main flooded section by entering the reserve from the new workings area along Kingfisher Lane in Willington village and walking along the causeway to the fisherman's gate - and from there, picking up the lane to the platforms. This idea worked well at first, but I soon found out that the lane was equally flooded further up and had to give up on this plan.

Halfway down the lane, floodwaters were equally bad
Instead, birding around the new workings area (an area of the patch I rarely give much time) offered a Mistle Thrush, which was new for the patch year list, along with Raven, Little Grebe, Curlew and a very nice Kingfisher seen from Kingfisher Lane no less!
Spring may have finally arrived in the Midlands, and a singing Chiffchaff was not only new for the patch year list but a welcome sign that more spring arrivals might be soon to come.

The Kingfisher was regularly returning to a perch on this pond, from Kingfisher Lane
Mercia Marina is just outside of the patch and a site that I have not tried before, but after exhausting the area that was accessible at Willington, I decided it would be worth a try, especially since 4 Waxwings have been present recently. These birds are a reminder that winter is still very much here.
Waxwings are one of my favourite birds and we are lucky enough to have them on our garden list. Over the years, I've had 4 different flocks on my road, with the most recent being in 2017.
This is a great area with lots of walking trails and nice cafés and shops. Several other birders were present but there was sadly no sign of the Waxwings, with them having been seen earlier on the marina's private property. 
A very questionable Black Swan was the only unusual bird present and explains the occasional observations of this species on the main lake at Willington Gravel Pits. 
After an hour or so, Raven ended up as the most interesting of the wild birds!
Black Swan of unknown, but certainly not wild, origin
Nice weather made for an enjoyable morning in rather frustrating circumstances. Hopefully Willington will be accessible again soon.



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