Bolton Ings - Sunday 19th July 2015

WeBS count today so I started out at 09.00, weather was blustery with the skies threatening rain, at 09.30 the monsoon arrived and I got soaked. Undeterred I carried on, the highlights today were 2 sightings of the female Bittern flying over and then dropping into the reeds, a Buzzard was up over Bolton Tip and it was pleasing to see so many broods of wildfowl etc. Full list :- Grey Heron 2, Little Egret 3, Bittern 1, Mute Swan 3a + 7y, Canada Goose 16, Grey Lag Goose 1, Great Crested Grebe 3a + 1y, Little Grebe 18a + 17y, Mallard 26, Gadwall 93 + broods of 17, 9 & 2, Pochard 14 + broods of 4 & 2, Tufted Duck 11 + broods of 11, 10, 8, 6, 4, 3 & 3, Coot 201a + 33y, Moorhen 8, Black Headed Gull 32a + 13y, LBB Gull 2, Buzzard 1, Green Woodpecker 2, Yellowhammer 1 male, Blackcap 4 male, Chiffchaff 3 male.