My mum and I woke up at 5am, and gathered our equipment to go to Rutland Water, where Birdfair is held annually. I met Calum at 6am, and we took the tube to Embankment, where a coach was waiting for us. We were going with the Central London Local RSPB Group, led by James Aylward, who were all very friendly.
Two hours later, we got to the Anglian Water Birdwatching Centre, from where we headed to the Dunlin Hide, where Calum was finding everything for the group! I saw my first ever Scaup, a small diving duck with a brilliant dark green head, a Curlew, hundreds of Tufted Ducks, two Marsh Harriers and Dunlin. We then had lunch in the Shoveler Hide, where there were lots of Goldeneye, and hundreds more Tufted Ducks. Then, a huge bird walked majestically along the banks of an island, looking for prey- my first Great White Egret (in Britain)!
Common Darter
Mute Swans
View from the Dunlin Hide
The Reservoir
Great White Egret!
After a brief visit to the Anglian Water Centre, we returned to the Dunlin Hide, not seeing much. We headed to the Snipe Hide (funnily enough finding Snipe feathers along the way) which faced a wet grazing meadow. There were Canada Geese grazing, and a few raptors. At another hide (which I've forgotten the name of) Calum spotted a Carrion Crow with an eggshell in its mouth.
Mute Swans flying
Canada Geese grazing. The third from the left may be a hybrid or smaller race
Teazels
At the 360 Hide, there were a few Stock Dove in the nearby fields, flocks of Wigeon and Teal on a small peninsula on the island, and lots more wildfowl. I had a wonderful time, and would like to thank all the RSPB Central London Group and James Aylward for organising this fabulous trip!
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