April showers at Stockers

Birding with PLewis doing his wildfowl count,on arrival heard Willow warbler in car park and Chiff chaff ,a few duck were present as we walked canal side.We arrived at the hides as the heavens opened.A number of Blackcap were also present,in front of us a mixed hirundine flock moved through

in the rain mostly swallows ,house martins and the odd sand. A Great crested grebe was holding territory just in front of us.Moving on to the Preachers pulpit a large raptor flew over,Paul cry's its

an Osprey as it turns I am in full agreement as it flys north towards Chorleywood.Geoff Lapworth
arrives as a pair of Goldeneye fly around Hanging Wood then land on Stockers and the male begins

to display.Moving on more singing male Blackcaps at the boardwalk,on arrival at Stockers House a singing Dunnock holds territory on the lock keepers garden.
Back round the lake along the causeway a nesting Mute Swan  sits precariously vunerable.

Next up a singing male Reed bunting followed by the long staying  Cetti's warbler a devilishly
elusive bird to see let alone photograph.Theres 6 Common tern overhead  and on adjacent

Bury GP there is at least 7  Red crested  pochards,Little Egret is on the River Colne.

The heronry is still in full swing as youngsters are sitting on the edge of  their nests,Kingfishers calling and a Red Kite along Denham Way end our day.