NEW PATCH TICK ENLIGHTENS BANK HOLIDAY

 With news of a Mandarin sighted at Brook Reservoir yesterday I met Marc just before 7.00 a.m. in anticipation of adding a very rare bird for Reculver.  A Woodcock flew past the car in the gloom and Fieldfare were calling overhead.   By reaching the railway line we had managed to add Wren which was New Year's Day elusive commoner species.  On reaching the reservoir Wigeon, Pochard, Tufted Duck and Coot were sighted but despite a good, long search the Mandarin could not be found.  Two Water Rail were feeding in a dyke nearby and two WAXWINGS flew overhead, calling.  Walking along the fields Redwing, Great-Spotted Woodpecker and Pied Wagtail made the notebook.  Reaching the little copse area and duck pond Gadwall rose from the pond with the MANDARIN amongst them.  Delighted to see the bird we also added Cetti's Warbler, Chiffchaff and Goldcrest to our year list.  On our walk back 14 WAXWINGS flew across the valley and a welcome addition of Grey Wagtail made the notebooks.  We returned via the road  to the reservoir where we thought the Mandarin had dropped into with the Gadwall.  Two Golden Plovers flew calling overhead and despite intensive searching still no Mandarin on Brook Rreservoir but a further 10 WAXWINGS flew over calling.  Another good session with 13 new species making it a creditable 86 species for the year.