Carlton stars Garganey & Ibis

On Saturday 2nd April, walking down to Peto's it was especially nice have nice weather (a rarity on my days off recently) to bump into both Will P (who I haven't seen for several years) and Paul & Jane F (back from their hols), after a catch-up I joined the some birders looking over the old scrape, it was wonderful to see 3 Garganey (2 males and 1 female). Later saw Andrew E too. They were swimming right over and nearer to us on the scrape, being about a third of the way out. Just past the Kissing Gate, I saw 2 fine Little Grebes (approaching summer plumage). Reaching the river path, lots of ducks included around 20 Wigeon, 5 Pintail (3 males, 2 females) and 5 Pochard (3 males, 2 females), plus a female White Wagtail feeding around the water margin. Walking over to North Marsh, a female Marsh Harrier seen quartering the marsh at the back. Suddenly, the Glossy Ibis appeared from nowhere and flew right and appeared to land on Turnpike Marsh. Walking back, the Glossy Ibis was indeed on the marsh on an island half way back but the bird walked and flew closer ultimately appearing on the grass just beyond the dyke in front of me, Rob H rather fortuitously joined me at exactly the right time and we had superb views of this bird in full sunlight feeding close by us, great for photography! Finally, after lots of constant feeding the Ibis flew to the back of the marsh. Walking back, great to see Steve B and Ivan L, where I put them onto the Garganey which were still on the old scrape but much closer, close to the grassy edge so often out of view but occasional glimpses of a fine male Garganey, a female Garganey and finally all3 Garganey (2 males & 1 female) which flew up and to the back western edge of the old scrape. A great trip out.