Garganey at Strumpshaw: must be Spring!

Since dawn broke surprisingly dry and clear, I spent a couple of hours at the Fen. No Brian or Norman, but I did meet a couple of really pleasant fellow Essex boys - Roger and Terry - who were up for a few days.

Since Fen Hide was virtually totally unproductive, I walked around to Tower Hide. At first it seemed like I'd blank here, too, but at 8.30 a fine drake Garganey flighted in. He briefly swam along the bank  before waddling up into the reeds and disappearing!

Lots of Buzzards and Marsh Harriers, including a female with a red wing-tag - a colour I've not come across before.