Grey morning at Low Barns

I had a walk round Low Barns Reserve this morning. Very grey and cold with a strong wind. Half way round the reserve I met a group out birdwatching and asked them if they'd seen anything. "No nothing about", came the reply.

It seems that this commonly received reply actually means nothing totally exotic or 'tick worthy'. 

I noted the following as I walked around. 

31 species
Greylag Goose  5, Canada Goose  2, Mute Swan  1, Mallard  2, Common Pheasant  2, Great Crested Grebe  3, Grey Heron  1 Coot  6, Oystercatcher  1, Wood-Pigeon  2, Great Spotted Woodpecker  3, Magpie  1, Carrion Crow  8, Marsh Tit  1, Great Tit  6, Blue Tit  3, Long-tailed Tit  1, Nuthatch  1, Treecreeper  1, Wren  1, Willow Warbler  6, Chiffchaff  2, Blackcap  2, Robin  2, Blackbird  3, Song Thrush  1, Dunnock  1, Reed Bunting  5, Chaffinch  7, Goldfinch  1, House Sparrow  1

Alright, nothing exotic, but I enjoyed watching all of them, especially the Great Crested Grebe which I watched catching and swallowing a fish. (Click the bottom image to see a video)

Perhaps if people stopped looking only for the rarities they might enjoy themselves more.