Wilstone Reservoir - 9.10.12

After being told by my doctor yesterday that he was signing me off for another fortnight (which just happens to lead into my 2 weeks annual leave from work!!) to recover from my slipped disc, the thought of being cooped up staring out of the window again filled me with misery. So as myself and Carey were cat sitting at her mums in Chesham I decided to get up with her and while she went to work I headed over to Wilstone for a bit of very leisurely birding. I must have been a funny sight trying to get my walking boots on which took over 5 minutes but in that time my first Lesser Redpoll and Redwings (10) of the Autumn flew over. Eventually I was ready and started my stroll to the hide. 2 Siskins flew over the new outflow as did 3 Meadow Pipits. A Grey Wagtail flew in infront of me but just as I was going to get a photo it flew off. 6 Swallows then headed South. I reached the hide and sat down with a sigh of relief though that relief was short lived sitting on a plank of wood! From the hide a group of 29 Golden Plovers were in with the Lapwings. The number slowly grew with additional arriving birds and by the time I left there were 55 present. Another Lesser Redpoll flew over, 3 Little Egrets were on view and a Snipe flew around before landing out of view to the right of the hide. Just before I left 2 large thrushes flew high in from the East and my first Fieldfares of the Autumn were onto my list. 3 Bullfinch were seen in flight while walking through the woods and then back to my car and home and straight onto the sofa!

Whilst i'm on i'll put out an appeal that should some rare birds turn up and you have a spare seat going that can fit a 6ft cripple in then please let me know as 20 minutes driving is enough for me at the moment!! Thanks.