We live close to some reedbeds where it can be worthwhile visiting. In fact it is one of the more difficult habitats since it is quite possible to see nothing although you may well hear birds such as Water Rail. That said, it has been quite productive lately. A Stonechat has been hanging around which is not usual. Hopefully it is a sign that their recovery from harsh winter is complete; soon after the two consecutive hard winter there were virtually no Stonechats in the county. A much commoner visitor to the reedbeds is the (well named) Reed Bunting. They can be a bit hit or miss but are more often seen. Finally the Bearded Tit. As a breeding species they are boom and bust and are quite migratory through the reedbed system. Lately we have been lucky, seeing them regularly. Of course it is a great idea to learn the distinctive call since that it usually the first indication they are about. Pictured is a Male, doing what they do best at this time of the year, namely feeding on the tiny seeds, |