A brief visit coinciding with the last hour of daylight produced a mere 28 species, but two highlights.
Whilst counting the gulls (112 Black-headed, 13 Common, 5 Lesser Black-backed - well down on the numbers this time last year), I came across a female Wigeon on Wood Green Reservoir. This is the third individual in the last fortnight and was successfully twitched by Andrew Gardener. It was still present at dusk.
Andrew and I then checked the Conservation Area Pond for Water Rail - I had seen one here yesterday at dusk. Right on cue one appeared on the edge of the reeds, viewed from the south side of the Pond. It then swam across a channel, disappeared into the reeds and (presumably) met a friend, as one or two were then heard to squeal.
One Dabchick on the bridge reservoir was also of note.
Water Rail and Wigeon had eluded me in 2007 until late December, so all in all an encouraging start to the year.
