Wobblers and Whitethroats!

A lovely warm day today, felt like a spring day again (at last!). I set off from the fishermans car park where there was nothing on the feeders. As I entered the reserve I could hear plenty of Jays squabling, I decided to have a look what was going on, I noted at least 4 Jays and a carrion crow nearby, I think they were upset by its presence and were making a real racket!

I reached the feeding station which again was noticably quiet with just 1 blue & 1 great tit.

As I crossed the river I saw a bird move alongside the river, a lovely female blackcap which disappeared as soon as I turned the camera on! Just a few yards away I could clearly hear a whitethroat calling and was rewarded with a very obliging bird, I even managed a few good pictures! After taking these I was fortunate enough to see another just a few yards away but didnt manage any pictures of this one.

I walked further along the river and managed to locate the female goosander with 4 gorgeous chicks.

I checked over the reed bed and was surrounded by a wall of sound. Reed warbler, Sedge Warbler, Reed bunting and chiffchaff were all going for it trying to outsing each other, a wonderful sound! Couple of mallard now on the reed bed pool & coot.

Taking the route between the 2 large pools I heard plenty of wrens adding to the birdsong and arriving at the other side saw numerous swifts flying over the ski lake. There was a grey heron on the other side of the ski lake with potentially 2 young but could only make out grey blobs next to the new white ramp, I really cant be sure though. 
On my way back towards the bridge over the river I heard 2 willow warbler singing and also saw a song thrush mimicking the beginning of a sedge warbler call! Also saw this peacock butterfly sunbathing on the path!

Arriving back at the feeding station things had picked up with 3 bullfinch (2 female + 1 male) and a chaffinch... and a cyclist. Still numerous dogs off leads around the reserve.

As I headed off over the yellow brick road I heard the Jays squabbling again as I headed back to work after a lovely lunchtime at Cromwell Bottom.

Species List:

Jay x 4
Robin
Blue Tit
Great Tit
Chiffchaff (heard)
Bullfinch x 3
Blackcap
Whitethroat x 2
Long-Tailed Tit x 2
Reed Bunting
Mallard
Canada Geese
Reed Warbler (heard)
Sedge Warbler (heard)
Coot
Wren
Song Thrush
Carrion Crow
Swift
Black-headed gull
Magpie
Goosander (female with 4 chicks)
Grey Heron
Chaffinch
Willow Warbler (heard)