One of our number has yet to see a Baikal Teal or a Savi`s Warbler so, when they both became available a trip was planned. I had just returned from a two week trip to Lesvos for the eastern Mediterranean migration and was accustomed to sunshine and cloudless skies. This trip made me feel at home, back in England as it rained for 75% of the day!
A 6-30am start from Shaw with Bob K and Kevin C soon further reminded us of the vagaries of our road system, the M62 was shut in both directions around Junction 22, causing utter chaos in a 20 mile circle. Quick thinking had us heading via Holmfirth etc to join the M1 near Barnsley towards our destination of Nene Valley Washes near Peterborough. The rain had been falling very steadily for a few hours as we pulled into a small car park and began to hopefully find the very smart male Baikal Teal. After a short walk the flooded area was found and a long, wet search started at about 9-30am. My comment about it being good weather for ducks didnt help much as the target bird could not be found. Lots of other duck species were seen, then 8 Common Cranes flew in and began to feed, what a great sight. At 11-45am we left the site like 3 drowned rats, what fun is British birding!
Next port of call was Attenborough nature reserve near Nottingham, well the rain had just about stopped as we met a birder who told us that the Savis Warbler was singing and that a Black Tern was present from the Tower Hide. Could we rescue the day with the Savi`s? In the hide we were welcomed by local birders who spent all their time chatting about all manner of things and making it virtually impossible to hear the Savi`s Warbler singing. Lots of Reed Warbler, Sedge Warbler and great views of the finely plumaged Black Tern were seen. At this point Bob K stormed out and made a few remarks about the incessant chatter that the locals were making, cant blame him really. Listening to some of the comments it would appear that the bird had not been seen or heard today. Time for home having suffered a double dip day, ah well. Reached base around 6-45pm.
