Upton Warren - Avocets Galore

Well after a week without birding, we got out on Tuesday afternoon. (I had to work Good Friday, so had Tuesday off instead) As the weather was going to be unpredictable we decided on  a short trip with plenty of hides so that we could stay out the rain!
So we decided on Upton and what a great time we had! We parked in the pools car park and were immediately greeted by our first Swallows, House Martins and Sand Martins, picking off all the insects that were up after the recent rain! 3 Firsts for 2012!

On the walk to the first hide we picked up a Chiffchaff in the tree over the path, then continued on to the end hide on the path.

The feeding station to the left of the hide gave us a good show:
Great Tit, Blue Tit, Greenfinch, Bullfinch, Reed Bunting, Pheasant (f), Canada Goose. Mallard and a Hobby that came in at speed across the front of the hide!

She just wouldn't turn around, too shy!

On the pool visible from this hide were:
Great Crested Grebe (at least 7), Tufted Duck, Lapwing, Coot, Moorhen (Nesting), Black Headed Gull, Mute Swan (Nesting) and some really cute farmyard ducks turned up! Then just in a bush a little way in front of the hide, our first Reed Warbler of the year!

Cute!

Spot the Moorhen nest

I know its fuzzy but it was worth the shot!

We could see a fair amount of activity over the far side of the pool on the islands, so we decided to walk around to the Lapwing Hide, we just got in when the heavens opened, torrential rain and hail for about 10 minutes. Once that had cleared and we could see, we added:
Common Sandpiper, Oystercatcher, Herring Gull, Lesser Black Backed Gull, Greylag (1), Teal (2 Pairs), Gadwall (1 pair), Shoveler, Shelduck, Cormorant and the best of the day (so far) a Kingfisher.

I do like BHGs in Summer Colours

A pair of the many Tufties on the Pool

Mrs Teal was just out of shot!

Not a great photo, but I think this Cormorant had taken on a bit to much!

We stayed in the Lapwing hide quite a while as there was so much going on, but we did head over to the scrapes to check out the new Avocet Hide and hopefully see some birds of the same name!

I have to say we are really impressed with the new double-decker hide. Well done WWT!! So impressed we have now joined! Well the cheques in the post! We also had a great chat with the volunteer on duty, he was most helpful and friendly (Thanks John)
So we finished off with half an hour here (we had to get back as we were going to the flicks with our daughter who is home from Edinburgh for Easter) and added:
Avocets (John told us there are 12 on the scrapes, I only managed to find 8!), Green Sandpiper (1), Little Ringed Plovers and a Linnet! All firsts (except the Linnet) for the year.

Our tally for the day was 45! A record for us at Upton, this included 7 firsts for the year. A few hours well spent. So a happy walk back to the car, with a rabbit to finish off!