A quick spin around the pond was pretty fruitless today with just a singing Stormcock to make you think of Spring. The two Great-crested Grebes were doing some half-hearted head-bobbing but little else and were joined by a single Little Grebe. Just a handful each of Pochards and Tufties. No sound of any Redwings, just this typically skittish Song Thrush.

Just too many dogs today so round to QE for brunch and on to the top carpark where again 'pooch city'. Aaarrgghh!! On the bright side a nice kite circled silently overhead as I got back to the car.

Was going to give up but decided on a quick 'twitch' of the Farlington Garganey - needless to say not seen for some hours!! An anticlockwise turn round the marsh (at low tide) was pretty quiet other than wildfowl and Curlew in the fields; best-of-the-rest being two Sparrowhawks and a couple of Rock Pipits. Highlight was a super adult Peg, a male I think, dropping like a bullet after a Starling which came within inches of joining the 'departed'!! It then soared up into the blue until invisible with the naked eye. Nothing was moving about much and certainly nothing within camera range.
The Pintail above, in conjunction with Teal, Mallard, Gadwall, B-hG and, I'm betting, Snipe were using these sunlit piles of cut reeds as warm and dry roosting spots.

Finally, a couple told me that the Garganey was back in its usual spot so dashed back to find it hiding amongst grass and Teal by the waters edge before going for a fly about. Sadly, no Wheatears today despite many elsewhere via Twitter including Pulborough. Something for Pete and Ann to search for tomorrow.