Wet, wet, wet

Lade - 0500hrs - Very wet, w 2 - Loads to do this morning so up early and on the keyboard. In the garden there were a few Blackbirds and Song Thrushes hereabouts and 10 Redwings overhead before the rain really got going, incarcerating both of us indoors until early afternoon.
Still, it did mean I got to listen to Desert Island Discs on Radio 4 which this week featured the naturalist Chris Packham. All eight of his discs, from Bowie to Billy Bragg, were a good call and his comment on what to do with the bible and the complete works of Shakespeare was a classic! Fair play to you Chris, and his luxury item? Binoculars, of course.
WeBS - 1400hrs - Despite the persistent rain we trudged (well me, not Barney) across the shingle and counted the ducks, of which there was little of note. However, a flock of 10 House Martins and Swallows were hawking insects over the ponds, while several Chiffchaffs, Robins and Song Thrushes called from cover.
RSPB - With the harrier count cancelled due to the weather conditions we joined Marshman for a quick look around the bird reserve. From the VC 4 Great White Egrets in front of Firth along with double figures of Grey Herons and Little Egrets, but we missed the Glossy Ibis which had moved to ARC. Also Ruff, Blackwit and several Marsh Harriers. Over the road we failed to locate the ibis, although did see at least 10 Chiffchaffs, Robins and Long-tailed Tits in the willow scrub, 2 Ravens and a Swallow over, 4 Greenshanks, 2 Snipe, 2 Marsh Harriers and a Little Gull, plus all the usual wildfowl.