Upton Warren 19/02/12

Made only our second trip to Upton on Sunday. The last time was in July last year.
We parked up in the sailing club, tried to buy a permit, but there was no one in the office at the club, so we wandered down towards the hides. We met a few people walking back the other way who told us that the main hide is being rebuilt and because of all the activity there is very little about. (Apparently this is nearly finished)

We carried on and as we were desperate for Coffee (as always) we decided to have seat in the second hide (Cuckoo). As suggested initially all we saw where Coot and Mallard. But then some Teal appeared. Then the trees to the left started bearing fruit!
Reed Bunting, Robin, Dunnock, Moorhen, Blue Tit, Long Tailed Tit and 4 fantastic courting Bullfinches! (Oh and a Rabbit!)
Then the Teal obliged, 3 Male and Female came right into the channel in front of us and the males started showing off. We have never seen Teal displaying before it was a treat.
Sorry no photo's even though the light was great, I haven't taken my 300 lens in for repair yet and I can't focus properly even manually, its to stiff)

We decided after coffee to leave the Flashes and head over to the pool. Had some good views of Redwing in the field behind the hide facing the masts. Nothing perched on the masts, hoped for something there but hey ho!

So parked up at the Pools car park and wandered over to the Lapwing Hide. We spent a good while there and were rewarded with:
Curlew (15), Snipe (5), Cormorant, Canada Geese, Greylag, Shelduck, Shoveler, Pochard, Teal, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Mute Swan, Black Headed Gull, Great Black Backed Gull, Lapwing, Grey Heron, Coot & Moorhen.
Round and about the hide:
Reed Bunting, Long Tailed Tit, Redwing, Blackbird, Song Thrush (Believe it or not this was our first for 2012), Blue Tit, Great Tit, Chaffinch, Magpie, Woodpigeon and Crow.

We are off to London this weekend to visit our son, so we might fit in a quick visit to Rainham Marshes, which isn't far from his. But nothing definite planned. Otherwise I have a busy week ahead so don't know if I will get out. A walk to Warrens Hall is due if I have time.