Order of the day was to catch up with Water Rail and Hen Harrier. Early start saw me arriving at the Carr at 9am. On arrival I made my way around to the Willow Pool hide where the reported Rails were giving good views. Seeing Bullfinchs' Redwing, Fieldfares on the way. I stopped at the staff car park where seed had been put out for birds seeing Blue, Great and Willow Tit, Chaffinch, Blackbird and Goldfinch coming down to with in a  few feet. Willow Pool hide gave me the great views of Water Rail I was wanting as soon as I opened the hatch. One bird had made it's way around to the bird table and was beating a retreat on way arrival but great viwes were had before it dissappeared. That was one target bird in the bag so I then made my way to the Piper Marsh hide. This is where the Bitterns have been seen regulary from, but not this morning. Back to the car park and on the way Great Spotted and Green Woodpeckers were seen.

On to Blacktoft Sands to try and catch up with the wintering Hen Harrier. Stonechats seen in the approach fields to Blacktoft with Tree Sparrows being the first birds seen on arrival. Merlin was the bird of the day giving me the best views I have ever had in 20+ of birdwatching. Perched happily at the bottom end of the pool in full view of the hide most of the afternoon, flying off occasionally to scare the feeding Bearded Tits near by. Four wintering Marsh Harriers present (1 male) quartering the reed bed all afternoon giving excellent views of this come back bird.

As dusk fell Barn Owl gave a brief fly by Marsh Harrier were still present and settled in a near by bush but no Hen Harrier never mind here's to the next day's birding.

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