It's all quiet at Lee Valley

It's 5.30am, The cars parked and I'm heading towards the farm. Stopping by the first barn I can already hear the first Yellowhammer of the day singing.

Common Blue Damselfly

By the time I locate it high up in a tree, I have heard at least two others singing. In the hedgerows bordering the fields there's also a pair of Common Whitethroats present.

Instead of returning to the car park, I continue on and walk up the hill towards the top field.

There's singing Blackcaps and Common Whitethroats in the bushes and Skylarks overhead, With another Skylark seen feeding in the field.

In the trees along the edge of the top field there's a really smart looking male Bullfinch.

Walking down the hill heading towards Langridge Scrape there's another two Yellowhammers singing, Chiffchaff, Garden Warbler and Linnet are all added to the day list before reaching the scrape.

With all the rain of recent weeks the water levels on the scrape are too high to hold much of interest. I add Lapwing, Common Pochard, Reed and Sedge Warblers with little trouble and there's a family party of Long-tailed Tits busy feeding in the bushes near the water's edge.

Walking down the footpath along the edge of the sailing club I get a year patch tick when a Lesser Whitethroat starts to sing and I get a brief view of it before it dives back down into thick cover. Not to be outdone a Cetti's Warblers blasts out it's song close by.

Long-tailed Tit

The weir is also quiet, But does have Common Terns flying across the water, and there's an unusual sight of a Terrapin sunning itself below the weir. Although it's an unusual site  I have seen one from this location before.

The goose fields only hold the usual suspects, With Canada and Greylag Geese, a pair of Shelduck, Lapwings and a single Little Grebe present.

Only the one year patch tick to add today, But it's been just as enjoyable watching and listening to some of the more commoner species.