Curlew Bathing (Godwit Watching)

Rain today well into the afternoon. In the morning we drove to Carsington Water, a very large reservoir just outside the Peak District Park to the southeast. It has a number of hides (blinds), one of which offered not only shelter but particularly good looks at a number of good birds.

One was this curlew (probably a female, judging by the length of the beak), which took an extensive bath (you'll have to ask her why the rain didn't suffice :) Apparently watching (secretly?) was a black-tailed godwit (partly hidden behind on the right, with a rufous head, bill and throat).

Outside we heard a reed warbler singing its incredibly extensive, scratchy song--it's a small, drab, secretive bird, but we all eventually had good views--a real high point (I got a photo or two, but not good enough to trump the curlew and godwit).

After supper we made another search for owls, but we had not a single one. Still, it was a good day.