Visited Marbury county park this morning to try and get some photos of the Bittern that has been showing well there all week. On arrival, I gave it an hour, but there was no sign. I did see two Kingfishers and a flock of Long-tailed tits on the bird table in front of the hide.
Long-tailed tit
With there being no sign of the Bittern, I made my way down to the mere path and soon heard a Lesser spotted woodpecker calling. The bird flew towards the car park and landed in the trees in the centre of the park. I heard the bird again and soon got on it; it was a female.
Female Lesser Spotted Woodpecker
The Lesser Spotted woodpecker showed for about five minutes and then flew. Great bird and a good start to the morning's birding. Whilst walking back towards the hide, I was walking down the steps when the Bittern popped up on top of the reeds, just as I got my camera out, it had gone, typical! Anyway, I waited a good hour and then it showed in the reedbed.
Bittern
A great morning's birding and nice to be back on my old patch.