London Heathrow & Staines Reservoir, Surrey

Leaving work at dawn I heard the distinctive call of a male Black Redstart, my first of the year, that was present on the roof of Technical Block E. This species regularly breeds at this site and I have noted them annually since I started work here back in 1987. I have even observed overwintering birds before taking advantage of the warm hangars. I then drove the short distance to Staines Reservoir where I noted a single Great Northern Diver on the south basin and two Common Redshank.

                                 A rather distant Great Northern Diver at Staines Reservoir.