3rd December - cloudy, dull day, southerly wind picking up during the afternoon, mild 12C

This morning another Mistle thrush was singing from a tree top east of the village.  We usually have 3-4 pairs of Mistle Thrush in and around the village.  A good number of Redwing were feasting on the Yew berries, with Blackbirds too.  They seem to always go for the yew before they feast on the Holly berries.  I think this maybe because the Yew berries deteriorate and drop off or become less tasty sooner than Holly.

This afternoon I visited Stanford reservoir, again the weather and light were not the best and birds were fairly hard to come by.  The Coots were again riding out the waves, bobbing around like corks, in the flock was a singe female Red-crested Pochard. The other usual duck species were present including 5+ Goldeneye and one male Goosander.

A Sparrowhawk hunted along the boundary hedge frequented by flocks of Tits and the like.

I was surprised to see a flock of Black-headed Gulls foraging in the fallow field next to the reservoir that has a patches of grass and weeds over it.  Gulls are now coming to roost very early, some soon after midday with others coming in all afternoon until dusk.

Back at the village a good stream of Starlings (200+) flew east at about 1540h to their roost site.  Not seen them doing this here this winter before today, so they may have moved to a new roost site bringing them past the village.  A grey wagtail flew over calling.