1st November - Foggy start, clearing to give a spectacular sunny warm day, 18C, little breeze SE

An amazing sunny and warm day, the November temperature record broken at 22.4C in Wales, 10 deg above average!

The local lake, after the fog, held a high count of nine Pochard. Little Grebe were 'trilling' and at least two Water Rail were calling from the reeds. A Green Woodpecker was feeding on the track and a few Redwing in the Hawthorns.  A Kestrel flew over.  Also, on the track was another fungus species.

A Small Tortoiseshell butterfly was flying around the Church at mid-day often landing on the wall to spread its wings in the sunshine.

The afternoon was spent at the local reservoir which provided many interesting sighting.  A Great White Egret was present, these have not been seen very often here, preening and feeding.  These are fairly recent colonists to the UK from mainland Europe and now a few pairs breed each year.

I was then very lucky to find an Otter fishing, I was able to watch this for about 20 minutes.  I did not have a good position for a photo but managed a (poor) record shot.  These are very occasionally reported, usually disappearing very quickly, as they explore the river that feeds the reservoir.

There were plenty of ducks present today, three Goldeneye (at last), 18 Shoveler, ~30 Teal popped in briefly, four Red-crested Pochard, plus Pochard, Tufted Duck and Mallard.

One Chiffchaff was present roaming with the many Long-tailed Tits.  A Kingfisher dashed over the water.
About 30 Tree Sparrows were at the feed station, also a Coal Tit.  Nearby two Goldfinch fed on a dead Thistle.

Another interesting fungus was found on the track, yet to be identified.

A Red Admiral butterfly, Migrant Hawker and Common Darter dragonflies were about too.
A really super day