A day on the Moors......

Packards.

Ten Acre Lake.

Andrena Clarkella.

A day out with my regular birding mates Dave and Chris today to the superb NNR at Hatfield provided us with a cracking days birding,this is what we saw.We started off by looking around Boston Park,enjoying some nice views of the 15 White-fronted Geese on the adjacent fields.It is always a real privilege to watch this lovely goose species and they gave great views,although a little nervy,with this flock containing 8 adult and 7 1st winter's.Also around this area where 2 singing male Chiffchaff,2 Green Woodpecker 'Yaffling' away and more signs of spring in the form of a couple of singing male Corn Bunting,prospecting Little Grebes and displaying Lapwing and Oystercatchers.After enjoying this great start we made the long walk down to Ten Acre Lake,but it was worth the walk as we were treated to some superb views of the gorgeous male Red-necked Grebe as he swam around his summer home.He was watched catching a large Perch before settling down for a brief snooze,followed by more activity which included much calling,a superb bird!.After leaving this stunner we continued our journey seeing 4 Crossbill overhead,a single Peregrine carrying prey,2 male Adder,4 each of Green-tiger Beetle and Orange Underwing and a single Peacock.A walk over to Huggin Carr and running the gauntlet of 'Zoltan' we managed to see a single Black-necked Grebe and 3 Goldeneye on the now doomed lake.The Black-necked completeing our fourth species of grebe for the day,a commendable effort.There was also a few waders present and they included 5 Dunlin,Redshank and a single Ringed Plover and another Green Woodie called nearby.After making our way back to the car we drove around to nearby Wroot and parked up at Alderfen fishery,to be greeted by the pleasant surprise of 6 Bewick's and 9 Whooper Swan mixed in with the 60 strong Mute Swan flock.The Bewick's consisted of 3 adult and 3 1st winter birds and the Whooper's were all adults,a great sight to see.On the way home 4 Roe Deer where seen on roadside fields and was a nice end to another cracking day out.