An hour at Marloes Mere

We spent an hour so between 10:00 and 11:00 trying out the new seats in the hide at Marloes Mere! As in Derek's post there were a lot of Swallows and large numbers of Sand Martins - also 2 Swifts, but no House Martins. There were warblers (Chiffchaff, Willow and Sedge) everywhere, giving very good views in the willows in front of the hide and Whitethroats were whizzing up and singing every hundered yards or so as we walked along the track. A Grasshopper Warbler then tuned up and sang for a while in a gorse bush just a few yards away - the song is surpisingly quiet when heard up close. There was a nice visit from a male Pied Flycatcher, right in front of the hide, then the female Hen Harrier drifted through and flushed a few Shoveler. Just as the mist started to roll in and we considered leaving, the female Black Duck flew in from the East with her mate and immediately started to feed in the main pool, the male keeping guard. She was still feeding when we left. This would fit with her being on a nest - but where?

Thanks to Nathan's working party for the improvements to the hide - I understand that there are still a few more titivations and adjustments to be made, but at least we can now sit down!

Rosemary