and then to Eastbourne... Day 2

On the second day we headed up to Kent and Bewl Water, Southern Water's reservoir. There's a £5 per car entry fee and the signage around the car park is very poor. It's unusual to have to pay to park at such places, hence there's a lot of folk parked up around the reservoir too. The circular walk around Bewl is 13 miles, including a large section on roads, which appears designed to route you away from the views of some housing which is let out. All-in-all an experience not to be repeated, though the walk was pleasant enough and the company excellent, even the grumpy 14 year-old :)















Bewl was strangely absent of birds. For such a large expanse of fresh water there was perhaps 10 Great Crested Grebes, another 10 Mallards and fewer coots. We did catch sight of this male Blackcap in some woodland along the walk:

















The only birds in any number around Bewl were House Sparrows, Blackbirds and lots and lots of Blue Tits. In terms of migrants only Chiffchaffs called relatively regularly, including this curious chap:




















The final snap of any interest was this Mistle Thrush, which looks to me like a juvenile, with attendant adults feeding. The nest was right over the path.