Penduline Tit, Stodmarsh

Another early start this morning and first stop is Stodmarsh NNR hoping to get a view of the Penduline Tit that has been present in the area since the 6th. We arrive just after first light and make our way along the boardwalk and find two birders already present. As luck would have it they are watching the bird as we approach. It's sitting at the top of a nearby tree and soon drops drop onto the reedmace heads.

It remains in view for 15-20 minutes and then flies off round the back of the tree. It's re-found near the other end of the boardwalk, and seen a couple of times either from the bridge or along the return trail path before it flies off again.

It's not seen again for 30-40 minutes, then I spot it back at the top of the tree where it was first seen when  we arrived this  morning.

Again it drops down onto the reedmace and I manage to grab a record shot.

From here it's a quick visit to Oare Marshes. The usual species are seen here, Teal, Wigeon, Lapwing, Snipe  and plenty of Pintail are also present. There's no sign of the redhead Smew that was seen on our previous visit here.

From here we make a stop off at Cliffe Pools. Wigeon are present in large numbers and Goldeneye, Pintail and Pochard are also seen in good figures.

A walk along the path and a scan across Flamingo Pool produces a Greenshank tucked in along the back edges. 

Last stop of the day is to Littlebrook Lake for the Slavonian Grebe that's been present on this tiny piece of water since the 19th January.  It's on the way home and it's well overdue a visit.

We park up and walk the short distance to the Lake and find the bird tucked in under a tree. It dives and resurfaces right at the other end of the lake.

There's some fishermen present and even when they use a remote controlled bait boat the bird isn't bothered by it.

The light never really improved until we were on our way home, when the sun tried to break through the clouds. A couple of year ticks added today with Penduline Tit and Greenshank. With superb views of the Slavonian Grebe a real bonus.