The run of dismal weather came to a welcome end with a bright, still but very cold morning that enticed no less than eighteen members to attend the walk at the WWT flagship reserve. Several screeching Ring-necked Parakeets adorned perches around the entrance yard while the feral pigeons seemed more numerous than ever. The south path produced a perched Kestrel and a female Reed Bunting. First stop at the Dulverton hide quickly brought views of a Bittern sunning itself in the reeds at the far side of the lake. On the water were plenty of Gadwall, Shovelers and Tufted Ducks. Among them were spotted a female Goldeneye, a couple of Pochard and a Great Crested Grebe. A few Egyptian Geese flew in to complement the numerous Canada Geese. The feeders proved to be under-used with just a few Great and Blue Tits and Robins visiting them. The woodlands were similarly underpopulated with none of the usual finch flocks but the explanation soon came apparent when a female Sparrowhawk streaked past. The scrape hide offered two Grey Herons posing beautifully in the clear light while the lack of Teal was rectified by a small snoozing flock. A Wren bounced around the reeds in front of the hide while a very distant pipit caused some head-scratching about its identity. Meanwhile an eagle-eyed member had focused on a closer bird that was much more easily identified as a Water Pipit. From the Peacock Tower a second Bittern was glimpsed by some in a brief flight towards the Wildside Hide. Small numbers of Wigeon grazed on the marsh but a Snipe provided the main entertainment as it played hide-and-seek with its admirers among the reeds. After lunch the Wildside beckoned and proved to be productive. The usual array of Black-headed and Herring Gulls was supplemented by singles of Common and Lesser Black-backed Gull. Chiffchaff, Long-tailed Tit, Stonechat and Greenfinch were found. The rarest of wonders, a visible Cetti’s Warbler, was also seen while the cast was completed by a Stock Dove and a Green Woodpecker. The final sighting list of 48 was no more than the group deserved after the seemingly endless weather travails of the autumn walks programme.