Dinton/Lavell's - more info

Dinton is good for passage gulls and terns and Lavell's for waders. It's probably best to park at Lavell's [the car park off  Sandford lane] and then walk to Tern hide [the one nearest the car park]. This was recently the site for Spotted crake, Jack snipe, Spotted redshank and the more regular bittern [most often on the island reed bed]. Over the back of this scrape is the Lea Farm rubbish dump with loads of gulls [YL gull is regular] as well as red kite and hobby in the Summer. The other hide - Teal hide - is worth a quick check  on the way up the Lodden to Sandford scrapes - a recent addition [for how long?] for LRP and passage stuff  though I doubt that the 2003 Eider will be a regular spring bird! If you don't fancy the trek around Black Swan at least cross Sandford lane to see the ducks on Sandford lake. Goldeneye are guaranteed but Smew are possible. There are lots of warblers about in Summer, tits and finches in Winter and Lesser spot are often reported along the river. Plus there are often interesting escapes from local wildfowl collections to make the inexperienced's heart skip a beat!   Friends of Lavell's Lake Group type: Community Contact name: Mr Dave Webster c/o Dinton Pastures County Park, Davis Street, Hurst, Berkshire, RG10 0TH Tel: 0118 9342016 Email: Dave.webster@wokingham.gov.uk