As I was working and knew I would be busy we left at 4.30am so as to get back before 9am.
When we arrived and got out of the car we immediately saw close range views of a Treecreeper. It caught us both by surprise and neither of us were ready with our cameras so sadly no photos.
We did hear them again but did not see them.
Chiffchaffs were singing along with numerous Goldcrest which were elusive flitting quickly from one tree to the next.
We made our way to the East Hide but apart from a lot of Rooks and a Pheasant, we could not locate a Stone Curlew and made our way to the West Hide.
Dunnocks, Blackbird,Robin, Great Tit, Coal Tit and Chaffinch along with a family of Blue Tits kept us company before we entered the hide.
I caught a good view of our quary but by the time I had tried to point Jono in the right direction it had disappeared over the brow of the hill. All was not lost and shortly after Jono spotted one sitting in the grass.
Frustratingly, the bird was a fair way out. Good enough for a spot but not for photos. A couple of record shots was all I managed.
We did have a stroll around the nearby woods but nothing special was to be found though we got lovely views of a Roe Deer and her fawn.
Back at the desk by 8.30 so a lovely start to a day!
