Thusday 23rd April and I decided, at the last minute, to re-visit Welney WWT - perfect weather for photography.

First stop was at the observatory hide - all seemingly quiet - but a couple of Barn Swallows flying around.

and a Great White Egret did a fly-past.

and then the Coot put on a display showing their usual argumentative selves at this time of the year.

 

With nothing else of interest, I moved up to Lyle hide but only a few Avocets were on offer

and then to Friends Hide where there was nothing at all. Very surprising as over the years, this has been a very productive hide for photography but not in the recent couple of years. Re-tracing my steps, my first Common Whitethroat of the year was singing but against the sun. 

Back at the obervatory hide, there was more action with Shelduck squaring up to each other

causing the Shovelers to get agitated

but finally settling down.

A lone drake Wigeon was feeding close in

and that was it so I left but still unable to resist a pop at the House Sparrows on the feeders

but sadly no Tree Sparrows again.

Taking the long way home, I drove around Dambanks at Aldreth, also once very productive but not recently. however, I noticed a Corn Bunting feeding close to the road, not as close as I would have liked but pleased with the results. Still, getting much rarer here now.

So, once again, it was a case of trying to get something different but at least the Corn Bunting was the icing on the cake for me.