A small party of us braved a very unfavourable forecast and made the trip to Middleton. The rain held off until, as with our November visit, we reached the only hide on the site. There was plenty of evidence of spring. We were lucky enough to hear the bittern booming and had charming views of both wren and long-tailed tit nest building. Herons and little egrets were sitting on the nests in the trees and early returning (or perhaps overwintering) warblers such as blackcap and chiffchaff were singing. Avocets, oystercatchers, redshanks and little ringed plovers were back to their breeding grounds. Also, at the last screen an early swallow flew past. However, there were still signs of winter with good numbers wigeon and teal about and we had great views of male and female goldeneye.
Unfortunately, the forecasted wet weather meant none of us took a camera so there are no photographs from this trip.