WAY MARKERS

1 View across the lake for a large gull roost, including a good chance of Caspian, Yellow-legged and Med Gulls. Check perched Cormorants on booms and buoys for shag following northerly winds. scrub around the viewpoint can attract roving flocks of passerines including bullfinch, Long-tailed Tit, Treecreeper, Goldcrest and Chiffchaff, plus Great spotted Woodpecker and at dusk Tawny owl. An adjacent drainage ditch often harbours Kingfisher, Grey Wagtail, Green sandpiper and Cetti’s Warbler.

2 scan across the lake for flocks of Coot, feral geese, Mute swans and winter wildfowl, typically diving duck such as Pochard and Tufted duck along with one or two Goldeneye and the outside chance of a sawbill, while Great Crested Grebe is present. The sailing club lawn can attract loafing gulls and the odd wader, usually Lapwing or redshank, plus Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit and Mute swan.

3 A quiet corner suitable for flocks of tits, finches, and buntings, plus redwing and fieldfare in the hedgerow and maybe a wintering blackcap or firecrest. sparrowhawk and buzzard are often noted.

4 Check the reedbeds for Moorhen, Water rail, Cetti’s Warbler, reed bunting and a chance of bearded Tit, plus Grey heron and Little egret around the margins. open grassy areas can attract sky Lark, Meadow Pipit and snipe when wet, plus the odd stonechat and hovering Kestrel. shallows out from reeds may attract the likes of Little Grebe, Wigeon, Gadwall, Teal and shoveler.