Four-king Fabulous

Just got in from 5 hours of birding bliss.  Last night's curry in one hand, the other hand on the keyboard, so forgive any typos.

More than 50 species seen to day.  Starting at East Chev, it was great to hear Sedge Warblers, one across the far side of the South Pool, and three in the reeds in the SE corner of the North Pool.  Better still was a Stoat skulking about with a dead, mole-sized rodent in its jaws.

Like 'The Pools' and to a lesser degree Cresswell, Chev was busy but with little to get the pulse racing.  There were at least three White Wagtail, two Yellows and the Channel too at Cresswell.  Advised that the Ruff was not at Bothal, I thought I'd try Beacon Hill, having heard that Cuckoo had been seen there lately.

Great decision - on arrival, and as I parked, my attention was drawn to movement in a nearly verge.  Closer 'from the car' inspection showed a Marsh Tit pulling fibres from some from of half-buried, synthetic lining.  And another was in a nearby tree.  After about a minute of the closest I have ever been to a wild bird (except Mrs M, who can, occasionally, be livid!), both flew off, doubtless to turn their 'harvest' into a warm home for their progeny.

So two year ticks, and two more to come.  A Cuckoo was heard and eventually seen from the five bar gate, as were two Tree Pipits.