There were 2 Bitterns, both showing intermittently, at Pearson's Flash today. They've been quite obliging during the last week, too. The reedbed by the canal is the favoured place, but they fly across to the reed clumps by the pylon and to the reed edge at the back (as viewed from the towpath).  Also 25 Shoveler, 86 Ruddy Duck.

I am appearing before the council's Overview and Scrutiny Committee next Monday, along with Dave Shallcross and Dave Wilson of Leigh OS, as the decision to cull the Ruddies has been "called in" for further discussion. It's obvious that climate change is moving faster than the government's decision to shoot these inoffensive ducks, which do no harm here; winter on Pearson's is preferable to a Spanish holiday with 3000 cousins!