Sightings at Nunnery Lakes (2nd April 2017)

This was my first visit to the BTO's Nunnery Lakes reserve in Thetford. We arrived shortly after 9.00am and parked the car at the BTO's headquarters, just off Nuns' Bridge Road.

The entrance to the reserve was initially difficult to find, but after some persistence we were able to access the reserve by following the pathway, which runs alongside the Little Ouse River.

The weather was pleasantly warm with temperatures not exceeding 12°C. The reserve itself seemed to be well managed, with some work taking place next to the only bird hide on the reserve.

Kingfisher x 2 - The pair were seen flying along the Little Ouse River, from the bridge, in a northerly direction.
Grey Wagtail x 2 - Again the pair of them were seen beneath the bridge and continued to feed along the river edge.
Jay x 3
Egyptian Goose x 3
Buzzard x 1 -  A single bird seen circling above Barnham Cross Common.
Blackcap x 1 - A single male seen alongside the path on the way into the reserve.
Canada Goose x 61 - It was surprising to see such large numbers across the reserve and it was quite noticeable that several of them had neck rings.
Tufted Duck x 11 - All of them were seen on the first of the three main lakes.
Great Crested Grebe x 1
Cormorant x 1
Grey Heron x 1
Reed Bunting x 1 - A single male seen in the reed bed on the left, as we approached the bird hide.