Rail-less at Corton

I tried twice today to see the Water Rail (tried 3X previously with no luck) at my local patch at Corton OSW, first thing this morning before work 8.10am , I did at least see a Moorhen along the west side of the pond, which is my first for this locality this year, but yet again no sign of the Rail. Little else. Directly after work (5.20pm) and again no sign although there were 70 Wood Pigeon on the Coastal field along the south- eastern edge which were higher numbers than I usually see.

No Glauc at Ness Point

On Sunday 6th April, hearing of a Glaucous Gull, I drove down at 11.30 seeing James W. and Jon B. who had both seen it but sadly it didn't appear for me. Rob H. arrived and immediately spotted a Red- throated Diver flying south over the sea, then a Sandwich Tern flying south over the sea. Then finally inland just past the Bird's Eye Factory, a Red Kite soaring slowly south over the town. I checked the rocks on the northern tip of Ness Point and was very pleased to spot 8 Purple Sandpipers roosting birds, a big tidal wave forced them to fly a little south to the finger/ jetty where they were busy feeding.

Blue-headed Wagtail at Carlton Marshes

On Saturday 5th April, I had a look at Carlton Marshes after the BH Wagtail had been seen earlier morning, I looked along the cross track and couldn't see anything, other people had looked up by the cattle and the news was negative, so I decided to check Ness Point but first I heard a House Martin call and I looked up to see a low flying House Martin flying north, my first of the year. At Ness Point & the Net posts nothing was seen. I drove back to CM after the BH Wagtail had been seen again and decided to visit the Marsh Lane end, as the light would be behind me. I ddin't realise everyone had taken the other route! From past the Old Scrape, I located the cattle flock unfortunately they were on the north side of the field, but I quickly picked up the fine Blue- headed Wagtail feeding close to the cattle. It's been a while since I saw my last so good to catch up with this one. It was constantly feeding and seen very distantly at one point the cattle grazed close to the assembled crowd on the north side of the field and they must have seen it reasonably close albeit against the light. Later on I saw a second Yellow Wagtail, a male British Flavissima race which was a gleaming yellow. Also present were 2 Pied Wagtails and 1 male White Wagtail. First Carl B. walked over then Paul and Jane F. walke over. First one then a second Cattle Egret flew up from a dyke and fed amongst the cattle. Meanwhile, overhead a flock of 30 Sand Martin included 2 House Martins. The cattle moved over to our side, at one point, both the Cattle Egrets flew past us and settled in a dyke along the west side of the field. Both wagtails flew closer feeding amongsgt the legs of the Cattle. but still at the far range of my lenses capabilities. (See heavily cropped record shot below)