Barton Broad

Sunday April 3

A mere 10 mile journey, we were parked at Barton Broad before 9.30 a.m. - and after sorting last night's catch of 200 moths.  As we walked the boardwalk to the viewing area, I told Pam that I'd like to see: Willow Warbler, Common Tern, Little Gull and a House Martin.

A Willow Warbler burst into song before the junction, three or four Wrens seemed to be having a sing-off (shout-off more like it). On reaching the platform, we could see at least eleven Common Terns swooping distantly over the water.

Best Common Tern I could manage.

Difficult to do an accurate count as much of the broad is out of view, some were flying, others perched, with frequent change of position. Whilst admiring the terns' effortless flight, I noticed a first summer Little Gull perched on one of the many buoys.

This distant Little Gull I caught by accident - only saw it when I was editing my photos! Black underwings a giveaway.

Despite assidous scanning of  the 15 or so hirundine flying very high over the far corner, the only sure ID was Swallow and Sand Martin. Ten minutes later they were gone.

We both scanned the far treeline, seeing six raptors in the air at once, one Buzzard and one Sparrowhawk, the others were displaying Marsh Harriers. We were fortunate enough to see a talon food pass between one pair of the Harriers.

Whilst I was trying to photograph, Pam excitedly called 'Cranes'. Again, above the treeline on the far shore of the broad, below the raptors. Three to start with, which then spent the next fifteen minutes flying about, separating, coming back together and spiralling. One bird then dropped behind the trees from which they'd risen. The remaining two messed about, enjoying the morning, for another ten minutes, before being joined by two others. The four of them were still in the air when we left after an hour and a half.

A dozen resplendent Great Crested Grebes, a pair of fly-catching Reed Buntings, two Jays and incredibly loud - very close - Cetti's Warblers enhanced the morning as did the freshly emerging Willow flowers amongst the alders in the carr. One day we'll see an otter here.....