Surprising results

I had feared that we might get swallowed up by the marshes after all the rain. But although there is a lot more standing water then usual all of us managed to keep our wellies on. The flush count began very well. A record 15 snipe flew out from the Hay Meadow marsh. Upper Sowerholme yielded another four (about par for the course). But then we only found 15 in School Pond and 13 in Big Meadow. The overall total of 47 – all common – was down on this time last year, but comparable with two winters ago. And no woodcock (yet?)… in fact no other birds of note.