A pleasant, if rather squelchy, trip to Ynys-hir for me today, followed by a brief sunset stop at the Clettwr.
My highlights were a stunningly close fly-past by a ring-tail Hen Harrier at Ynys-hir, a rather surprised Water Rail near the end of the flooded Ynys Eidiol - Breakwater Hide path (which squawked at me before rushing under a pile of brash), and a Woodcock flushed from the path on the way back through the woodland. Two pairs of Shoveller on Ynys Edwin flash, but no sign of the Barnacles this afternoon.
My surprise of the day though came as I was scanning the Centre bird feeder and felt something land on my foot - I looked down to see a squirrel sitting there holding onto my trouser leg! Who's been hand-feeding them? (or are they in training for Springwatch 2013?)
Lots of Redshank activity around the Clettwr, including a flock of 15 on a flooded field to the west of the river - but didn't see the Greenshank. Another ring-tail Hen Harrier flying west was presumably on its way to see John at Cors Fochno. Total of 49 species for the first day of 2013.