El Clot – Mark Etheridge

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A very nice first autumn visit to the Clot this afternoon, with all the usual suspects present. These included a big party of more than 20 Long-tailed Tits at the dry hide, a Reed Warbler playing peek-a-boo at the scrape hide, and Subalpine Warbler – there are quite a few around the Dry Hide area. Very distinctive call, around half a dozen seen.

At least three Bluethroats were seen, one with muted colours and another was a big show off with very fine plumage.

Nice surprise of the afternoon, a Wryneck just as I was leaving at about 7 p.m. The light wasn’t the best, this is more of a record shot, will try for something better in the next few weeks. This is the third year I’ve seen them around the dry hide.

Also seen but not photographed – Cettis Warbler, Green Woodpecker, Marsh Harrier, Sardinian Warbler and an LBJ which might have been a Whinchat. Also at least two Water Rail “sharming” at each other deep in the reeds.