Found Myself a Patch!

 Found Myself a Patch!

I have always intended to find a patch and have recently explored some potential sites. After browsing google maps looking for a place to patch, we found a place called Grimsargh Wetlands. We also saw that a Garganey was reported there yesterday. With it being quite local to us, and there being nothing to twitch, we decided to give it a try. We arrived at Grimsargh Wetlands at 10:30am and as soon as we got to the main viewing screen, we managed to spot the drake Garganey straight away, fairly close on Island Lake. We also saw two Avocets which were also reported on RBA yesterday.

We then spotted two Great Crested Grebes doing their courtship display on The Mere and while we were watching them, I spotted a medium-sized bird with a striking blue wing fly across the lake and land in a tree. I had a look through my binoculars and saw that it was a Jay! We watched it for a bit and then observed the species on both lakes. We spotted an Oystercatcher, a few Cormorants, two Grey Herons, a Snipe, a Black-tailed Godwit and much more from Island Lake. However, The Mere was quieter with a few Coots, a few Tufted Ducks and many Black-headed Gulls. There was also a lonesome Greylag Goose amongst the Canada Geese on the bank. After looking on a map, we walked further down the road and reached another footpath, overlooking the back of Island Lake and The Fens. We scanned Island Lake from the first viewing screen along the second footpath and spotted two Redshanks as well as four Lesser Black-backed Gulls. Along the footpath, I spotted a small bird flitting in The Fens. I looked through my binoculars and saw it was a warbler. I watched it and then it called, confirming its ID. It was a Willow Warbler. We then scanned from the third viewpoint where we saw an elusive Cetti's Warbler skulking along the bank, as well as a Reed Bunting perched at the top of a tree. We then read the signs and found out the waders here also commute between Alston Wetlands, which was nearby. After knowing this, we decided to extend our patch down there and went to take a look at the viewing screens. 

We arrived at Alston Wetland at 12:30pm and had a look through the viewing screens. We had a quick scan through one of them overlooking a grassy habitat before walking towards the larger one overlooking the edge of a lake. We did one quick scan and almost immediately saw a Whimbrel within the Black-headed Gulls. We also saw many Lapwings flying and calling as well as two Oystercatchers and a bathing Curlew.

A birder further ahead had confirmed there was a Little Ringed Plover and a Whimbrel on the lake. Since I had already spotted the Whimbrel, I turned my attention to spotting the Little Ringed Plover. Suddenly, I saw a small bit of movement from one of the small islands. It was the Little Ringed Plover! I watched it fly between the mini islands before it finally stayed in one place long enough for me to get a record shot. I also spotted a Redshank on my side of the lake briefly before it went back in the dense foliage.

Then, we spotted a Roe Deer at the back of the lake, browsing in the rushes before it vanished in the thick vegetation. 

I decided to settle on this area, as my patch, as it was a nature reserve and had a good variety of species on site. I hope to grow my list on this patch and ultimately find my own rarity!