Ladywalk (In the Rain & Gloom!)

I have to say that I am feeling really hacked off (polite words!) at the moment. When I get a day off it seems to rain or the light is like perpetual darkness. I work 12 hour shifts and need to get out birding to relieve stress - but this is not working at the moment. This morning (as expected) dawned dull with the hint of rain soon becoming a reality. My plans were to visit Ladywalk (a reserve I have neglected for many months - well a year!), and if time allowed, (which it did not) Marsh Lane. Arriving at Ladywalk, I had the reserve to myself in the now quite heavy rain, and walked to the Sainsbury's and River Walk Hides. The elevated view from River Walk Hide allowed me to see most of the reserve (hoping for the Bittern to show!). It did not and only the usual suspects were seen, the best of which were an increasing number of Goosander. A Sparrowhawk spooked much on the pools, before I decided to walk back to the Sainsbury's Hide in the hope of the light improving and getting some photo's of birds at the feeding station. Another Sparrowhawk chanced its luck but without success, dispersing all those feeding. The cold, wet weather and heat generated from me (under my waterproofs!) was not a good combination, with camera and optics steaming up giving blurred views. I could not get any speed from the camera, requiring an ISO of 1600 to achieve 80 - 200. The end result was ...................blurs, poor focus, the list goes on! My days sightings can be seen below some of my (better!) poor quality images. After today, I am seriously thinking of giving up and either taking up train spotting or scrabble!!! especially as when I get home, the sun shines Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaagh!!

Female Pheasant

Do you come here often? - Lesser Blackbacked Gull

Great Spotted Woodpecker and Long Tailed Tit

Blackbird

Great Spotted Woodpecker

Male Reed Bunting

 Greenfinch

Long Tailed Tit

Female Reed Buntings

Female Pheasant

(More blurred and appalling images on my website - see link opposite)

Todays Sightings:

Green Woodpecker; Magpie; Robin; Wood Pigeon; Gadwall; Mallard; Great Tit; Song Thrush; Blackbird; Teal; Moorhen; Coot; Blue Tit; Pheasant; Reed Bunting; Jay; Tufted Duck; Dunnock; Carrion Crow; Rook; Gt Sp Woodpecker; Chaffinch; Pochard; Mute Swan; Shoveler; Wigeon; LBB Gull; Dabchick; BH Gull; Jackdaw; Sparrowhawk; Wren; Redwing; Grey Wagtail; Greenfinch; Long Tailed Tit; Goldfinch; Goosander; Canada Goose; Sparrowhawk.