Long-tailed Tits, Nut Hatches, a Water Rail and a Great Spotted Woodpecker

Long-tailed Tit, Aegithalos caudatus

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I took advantage of the 8am early opening at Arundel WWT today. A Water Rail strutted by the pond next to the Sand Martin hide then preened itself among the reeds. It then foraged and returned to the open area by the path. At the woodland bird feeders Long-tailed Tits and Nut Hatches gorged themselves. A Great Spotted Woodpecker flitted between both feeding areas. A juvenile rat kept popping his head out of a hole by the feeders. A Woodpigeon fed on ivy berries above the feeders. Along the reed bed walk a Moorhen was perched on a tussock of grass and kept grabbing twigs and stems, perhaps feeling the urge to nest?

Canada Goose, Branta canadensis

Canada Goose, Branta canadensis

Common Pochard, Aythya ferina

Water Rail, Rallus aquaticus

Grey Heron, Ardea cinerea

Long-tailed Tit, Aegithalos caudatus

shadow of Blue Tit

female Chaffinch, Fringilla coelebs

Nuthatch, Sitta europaea

Nuthatch

Woodpigeon, Columba palumbus

Chaffinch, Fringilla coelebs

Great Spotted Woodpecker, Dendrocopos major

juvenile Brown Rat, Rattus norvegicus

Mallard, Anas platyrhynchos

Moorhen, Gallinula chloropus

Nuthatch, Sitta europaea

Robin, Erithacus rubecula