DRAKELOW NATURE RESERVE – W/E 17th March 2019. After a week of high winds and some heavy rain the weather has begun to settle down with a ridge of high pressure in prospect for the next few days. There has been little in the way of ‘good birding’ with only the ‘run of the mill’ species on offer. A re-count of the Cormorant nests added a further 17 over the week to 73 AON’s and Grey Herons increased by two to 36. Some 70 or so Wigeon dropped in on the 17th and there was a count of 13 Greylags and 24 Snipe on the same date. The best bird of the period was a Barn Owl seen in the very early hours of the 17th. Songsters included several Chiffchaffs and Cetti’s Warblers together with numerous Robins, Wrens and Dunnocks. NOTE: The notorious flood-pool, on the drive, is forming but for the time being poses no problem. It is anticipated that a Cormorant count will be carried out on the 23rd March to be followed by a Wildfowl Count on the 24th. A path closed sign will be in place two/three hours before sunset on the 23rd and will be removed on completion of the Wildfowl Count on the 24th. Visits to the two main hides are not affected by this closure and visitors are asked to co-operate during these surveys. With thanks to KW, RW, AB, DH, MJH and AG.