GosforthPark. My second stint at the park,after last night’s failure of the elusive Little Bittern to show itself,despite much calling, paid off as the mega county rarity flew out from the reeds and across the lake , landing in view clinging on to a reed stem. It dropped down out of sight ,then after a few minutes flew again a short way to it’s left. This was a “prolonged view” for the assembled crowd,compared to some of the 2-3 second glimpses which had gone before. This represents the first twitchable bird of this species in the county to my knowledge. Almost immediately after this sighting, a splendid Hobby flew over the park and landed in a tall tree where it preened in full view for 20 minutes. A nice bonus. Later walking through the park, a Spotted Flycatcher was seen and a family group of Bullfinches moved through the trees. A Kingfisher perched briefly in front of one of the hides , as one had done the previous evening. A good number of Reed Warblers and Reed Buntings noted and a few Sedge Warblers too.3 Little Grebes and the usual nesting Common Terns completed a successful day.
A.S.Jack