Very pleased to see the Squacco Heron at close quarters this morning with Sid but I have to say I was surprised at the location the bird had chosen to take up residence. Trains were rumbling across the low bridge it was sheltering under, only a few feet above where it was fishing. Maybe the fishing was just too good to miss.

-- Edited by John Barber on Saturday 5th of November 2011 06:05:13 PM

An early start today for John Barber and myself to Attenborough had us watching the long staying Squacco Heron by 09.00. It was on the bank of the River Erewash where it passes under the railway line near the sailing club. A terrific looking bird and a cracking fisherman - some of the time sitting on an overhanging branch picking small fish out of the water

I also managed to pick up my first Kingfisher of the year (in November !!) and a Yellow legged Gull on one of the sailing club marker buoys.

Had views last Christmas of a Bittern on the path ten feet in front of me with a fish it had caught through the ice, while I was watching a water rail then appeared and attempted to steal the fish & in the commotion the fish was dropped and a kingfisher took it.
True story!

Fantastic reserve.

A great reserve based just off junction 25 of the M1. Extensive grounds/waters to cover with several well placed hides. You really could spend all day here and still not cover all the trails. As well as the flooded gravel pits the reserve lies next to the river Trent which is also accessible.
Highlights of my visit yesterday included:
5 Little Egret
1 Dunlin
2 Greenshanks
1 Kingfisher
1 Hobby
2 Sparrowhawks
Large numbers of geese on the islands and all the common warblers in the scrub and reedbeds including Lesser Whitethtroat.
Trees Sparrows were plentiful on the feeders.
Lots of the more common ducks, including Tufted Ducks, Pochard.
Good numbers of Common Tern including many juveniles.
Well worth a visit if in the area.