There was a pleasing group of 22 people attending this field trip and it was nice to see a few newer and younger members. From the car park we heard and saw a Cuckoo flying by and there was a lot of warbler activity and song from the nearby trees. Walking onto the reserve there was a Reed Warbler showing and posing well just beyond the picnic tables and in the trees leading up to the embankment there were numerous Blackcap and Chiffchaff singing. On the embankment there was a Garden Warbler singing and showing well in the trees to the north. We stopped at the first Viewing Platform and could hear several Bittern booming, and we had a couple of in-flight views of this elusive bird. There were Lapwing and Black-tailed Godwit on the small islands and shallower areas. Also, we saw a good number of commoner duck species including Shoveler, Gadwall, Teal, Tufted Duck and a few Pochard. There were also some Great Crested Grebe pairs displaying at different points. We walked on to the Avalon Hide and observed several Marsh Harriers including a stunning male that flew close by and a male Reed Bunting was singing from some Willows. We were also delighted to see a Hobby hunting over the reed beds as we returned via the second Viewing Platform. We finished by going to the Tor Hide where there are several Heron nests and one with some small chicks. On the way we saw a Common Sandpiper using the Tern and Gull rafts with some Black-headed Gulls in summer plumage and both Little and Great White Egrets. Overall, we recorded 55 species. (Thanks to Robin for leading) Robin Martin