2nd May '09 Attenborough Nature Reserve

Warm sunshine in the morning becoming cloudy in the afternoon.

Attenborough Nature Reserve

Away from it all, Beeston Marsh.

These last few visits I've been parking near the level crossing at the golf club end of Attenborough village. Just after crossing the lines there is a small gate on the left. Having the rest of the day to discover another unknown species I felt adventurous enough to see where it led. What a surprise awaited me. It was like I'd discovered something out of Jurassic Park only there were no dinosaurs. There weren't many birds either. Perhaps the dinosaurs had scared them all away before they left. I was to find out later that where I'd trod was Beeston Marsh. Back on the Cettis trail I was again fortunate to track it down within minutes of reaching its patch. Confirmation being given with its loud song before it flew off dipping sideways to give me a good view of its pale belly. I gave it another hour and after a couple more bursts of song left him to play hide and seek with someone else.

Main Pond.

From the moment I hit the Trent I heard the first calls of a Cuckoo. Its calls tantalised me for the rest of the day, always it seemed at a distance to lure me away from the warblers. I didn't fall for the ruse and was rewarded with lovely sightings of Sedge Warblers and Whitethroats getting excited in Wheatear Field. Then to cap it all, at last, a Willow Warbler in full song, fully exposed atop an old Ash tree. I took my lunch here and was entertained by the warbler throughout. Not only that my first Swallows as well. Who needs Cuckoos, if they can't be bothered to bring up their own kids then count me out.

A corner of Main Pond.

Cettis Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Willow Warbler, Blackcap, Whitethroat, Swallow, Wren, Buzzard, House Martin, Common Tern, LBB Gull.