Shustoke Reservoir.

As usual a good days birding was to be had at Shustoke Reservoir where it was a bit chilly even though the sun was out but at least the predicted rain showers failed to materialise. Highlights of the day were seeing the first Swallows of the year, only about twenty at the most but good to see all the same, also I've never seen so many Blackcap in one day, they were practically everywhere I went, mainly males but I did spot a couple of females as well. It was also nice to see a Coal Tit diligently collecting nest material. Birds seen today were, Swallow, Blackcap (male and female) Coal Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Long Tailed Tit, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Chaffinch, Chiffchaff, Dunnock, Wren, Robin, Blackbird, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Magpie, Woodpigeon, Feral Pigeon, Sparrowhawk, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Song Thrush, Pied Wagtail, Pheasant (cock), Grey Heron, Cormorant, Mute Swan (15), Lapwing, Gadwall, Tufted Duck, Great Crested Grebe, Coot, Canada Goose and Mallard. There is only a single Coot on the nest, but as I've said before Shustoke isn't a great place for nesting birds, the Great Crested Grebe have a torrid time what with the water levels going up or down and the very high winds and the Coots don't fare much better. Another nice thing I saw today was seeing plenty of bees, wasps and insects buzzing about the few sections there are at Shustoke with wild flowers, personally I love to see a patch of land replete with wild flowers, they always look great with their many colourful plants especially when left to their own devices. I was listening to Keith Arthur's Fisherman’s Blues on TalkSport this morning and he was saying (in my opinion he is a environmental expert) that the low water levels are already having a devastating effect on the fish breeding which is of course effecting the Kingfisher, Grey Heron and wading birds, as we all know if there isn't major rainfall soon and none is predicted that the knock on effect will be disastrous to the birds, fish and wildlife in general, very worrying times lay ahead.