Ladywalk Nature reserve big treble

After the normal morning at Salford Priors the wife and I headed over to Ladywalk Nature Reserve hoping to see one of the resident Bitterns. On our walk down to the new gated entrance four regulars were watching the Siberian Chiffchaff keeping the company of three regular Chiffchaff. 

The wife had never seen a Bittern before and despite my pessimism the Bittern appeared on the left edge of the channel and seemed to be almost watching us. The photograph taken was about the best view we got of the bird in the open before we watched the bird feeding in the reeds. 

As we walked around towards the Bittern hide a Short-eared Owl flew east on the opposite side of the river. The views were brief however it was another first for me at Ladywalk. As we continued on our circular walk we observed up to 9 Gossander, Gadwall, Teal and Tufted Duck on the river.

Frost bite was then taking hold so we headed back to the car when the heater was on full blasting at our feet as we joined the M42.