Blackcap #63

We shunned the coast today in favour of a drier day in the fens and woodlands of RSPB Strumpshaw Fen. It was a lovely few hours, especially in the woodland. The birdsong was glorious and we saw nearly 40 species today including 2 juvenile treecreepers and a juvenile goldcrest(extras). We also encountered four Chinese Water Deer which was a first for me(extra), apparently being introduced from China during the nineteenth century. 
After watching the marsh harriers wheeling above the reedbeds we made our way back to the car, but not after a close up encounter with a pair of swans with 5 young cygnets. They had decided to sit slap bang in the middle of the grassy pathway and the Cob was very protective hissing loudly and making himself very big as we sneaked by. The cygnets were really cute though(extras).