WeBs count

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Damp and dull morning but it brightened up later in the day getting warmer as time passed. As always with the WeBS count our main focus is to count all of the wading birds. Straight away it was a walk to the Backpools with usual birds such as the coots which added up to around 16. 34 Mallards was a surprise as its the highest mallard count i have gotten so far.  Only 6 Moorhen were present but as always they are hard to spot as they spend most of there time in the reeds. The Tufted duck mother and single chick were still present at the backpools and combined with the total of the Mainlake ,4 Tufted Ducks were present. To my surprise a Cormorant had perched itself on a branch at the Backpools and i haven't seen one stationary here for months. A lone Heron was at the Backpools also which may be a adult from a constant passing pair or one of there recently fledged young.
Great Blue Heron, you can see why it gets its name (Image By Luke Anderson)
A quick meet up with a local patcher Elliot Montieth brought up both 1 Little Grebe as well as a single Water Rail calling from the reeds. A stock Dove also flew by which was also picked up by beedy eyed Elliot. While enjoying a walk towards the Mainlake it brought up many interesting birds such as 8+ Blackcap as well as a pair of  Great Spotted Woodpeckers which went a bit to high to get a decent picture.
Great Spotted Woodpecker (Image By Luke Anderson)
The Mainlake held similar birds as the Backpools such as the coot and mallard however the adult Mute Swan and 4 Cygnets were there as well as the Great Crested Grebe Pair and the 4 chicks. Other things around the lake included a huge abundance of Common Darter which allowed me to watch there behavior and gave me the experience to watch them lay there eggs which i haven't seen a dragonfly or damselfly do before. That ends of the amazing day for birding and insect searching alike.
Male Common Darter waiting for its next prey item to fly past (Image By Luke Anderson)

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