Pink footed geese numbers were lower than on my last visit but Whooper swan numbers were definatly on the increase with approximatly one hundred birds being present. Conditions on the mere were ideal for photography. Mild and calm with not a breath of wind. Geese were active at the back of the mere with plenty flying around but sadly I didnt see a single swan take to the air.

Today I used my 300d and it worked surprisingly well showing very little evidence of shutter failure and exposing like it should. I do not like this camera but my upgrade to the 30d will follow very shortly. Duck numbers are still low with Shoveler, Teal and Pintail being the most prominent species.

Ruff numbers are certainly up and with water levels being quite high they were forced to feed up on the grass banking. I have never seen them this high up before and it gave a very different foreground to the cluttered waterline that is so familiar.