Nine members met in the Visitors Centre.  There had been some sunshine earlier on but by the time we arrived the sun had disappeared and it was rather cold and windy. However, this did not dampen our enthusiasm.  While enjoying a hot drink in the Centre we watched 2 Egyptian Geese and a number of birds on the feeders.

We visited 3 hides overlooking the reservoir where we identified a number of ducks – gadwall, goldeneye, mallard, pochard, teal, tufted duck and wigeon.  We listened to, and watched, a number of Skylarks during the walks between the hides.

Back at the centre we decided to go to the Layer Breton Causeway before going home which was well worth the visit.  2 Great White Egrets were spotted; Grey Herons were nesting in the trees on one side of the Causeway and Cormorants on the other.  Every spring since 1981 Cormorants have nested in the trees around the Reservoir.  This is an unusual sight and is one of the few places in Britain where they do this. There was also a large number of Shovelers, and just as we were leaving we watched 2 Buzzards flying overhead.

A very enjoyable morning.

Birds seen:  black-headed gull, blue tit, Canada goose carrion crow, coot, cormorant, Egyptian goose, gadwall, goldeneye, goldfinch, great crested grebe, great white egret, grey heron, greylag goose, kestrel, little egret, mallard, meadow pipit, moorhen, mute swan, pochard, shoveler, skylark, teal, tufted duck, wigeon, pied wagtail, buzzard, chaffinch, robin, sparrow, starling, little grebe,

Other: blackthorn, borage, celandine, daisy, gorse, ground elder, groundsel, rats

Next Meeting:  Wednesday, 13 April, 2022.  RSPB Rainham Marshes.  Meet in Visitors Centre at 10 a.m.  (Car sharing for this venue)

Joy Deacon