31st Jan - rain during the morning, cloudy afternoon, becoming warmer 12C, light- moderate westerly

After wet morning thankfully the afternoon brightened a little and was dry, so I headed off to the local reservoir, the following were the main observations;
Goldeneye 12, Goosander 1 male, Pochard 27, Tufted Duck c250, Gadwall c30, Mute swan 24, Wigeon c50, Cormorant 12.  A grey Wagtail at the outflow, 2 Water rail 'squealed' and a Cettis Warbler gave a brief song.  A Great spotted Woodpecker was in the by-pass trees, along with a roving tit flock, including 9 Long-tailed Tits.  A flock of c70 Lapwing fly over and a very large flock of noisy Jackdaws and Rook were on a nearby field.
Just about to check the area were Finches, including Brambling, have been this winter when a Sparrowhawk dashed through the area twice scattering the finches present from the area, not to be seen again.

Along the bypass path I spotted a very interesting fungus, a Sessile Earthstar, fully open.

A Song Thrush was singing at 4-30pm from the old railway track area.

30th January - rain last night, sunny spells, keen westerly, feeling cool, 8C

This weekend is the national RSPB 'big garden birdwatch' survey.  I and 2 other villagers did their count this morning, some may do it tomorrow;  I will summarise the birds seen in the village when the results are in.  I did note a Moorhen crossing the road to the village pond first thing.

This afternoon I visited Shawell lagoons hoping for some scarce gulls, however gulls were few and far between, mainly Black-headed and Common Gulls.  Although there seemed plenty in the fields and flying heading to the landfill, they did not want to come to the lagoons.  Some 35+ Wigeon, 3 Mute Swans, a Great-crested Grebe, Tufted Duck and Mallard were present.

I decided to visit the local lake area, this was also very quite with only the regulars present.

Moving on to investigate some nearby rough area and farmland there was a nice mixed flock of Fieldfare, Redwing and Chaffinh feeding.  In the distance a size-able flock of finches kept flying from a stubble field to hedgerow trees and back. Unfortunately they were distant and I was looking in to the low sun, so could not be sure, size and jizz suggested Linnets.  I'll have to try another day.

29th January - Another windy day, southerly, Cloudy, spots of rain/shower, 10C

28th January - a light frost and sunny start, cloud building late morning. Moderate SW, 10C

A glorious sunny morning, actually showing signs of drying out - will it last?

27th January - Cloudy, occasional light short shower, moderate to fresh S/SW, mild 14C

First thing a male Bullfinch shot in to cover along the village lane hedge opposite the allotments.  A small flock of Redwings was in the thick hedge near then old railway track.

A visit to Ravensthorpe reservoir this afternoon to see if the Great White Egret was still present, it was, fishing on the far side of small section view-able from the causeway, a record photo was possible.

Nearby a Little Egret was preening, accompanied by a Grey heron and Cormorant.

On the main reservoir there were a selection of duck, Wigeon, Gadwall, a pair of Shoveler, Mallards and Tufted Ducks.  Generally, otherwise the area was fairly quite today.

26th January - 10C, cloudy, lively gusty SW wind, light rain occasionally, feeling cool in the wind.

Everything is keeping out of the wind to day, any bird flying was really struggling.  Gusts up to 40 mph have been recorded.

This storm is the remnant of that which gave a big dump of snow in eastern USA, after warming up over the Atlantic today giving gales and heavy rain here in the west and north west of the U.K.

25th January - sunny spells during the morning, light south, swinging SW later and becoming strong with gusts and cloudier afternoon, mild 15C

Nothing too much to report today, early 2 Buzzards were noisey along the old railway track before heading over the long spinney.

A single meadow pipit flew south, calling mid-afternoon. A Raven flew in the same direction a little later on.

24th January - cloudy, light SW, very mild 14C

There are lots of signs of Spring, we have had catkins out since before Christmas with more visible now.  ~ 30 Goldfinch were feeding on the teasels next to the lake.

A visit to the local reservoir this afternoon produced a Brambling (female) sitting on the hedge side with Chaffinches next to a game strip.  A flock of about 60 Linnets flew in for a short visit.  A Green Woodpecker called nearby, two flocks of Long-tailed Tits with Goldcrests foraged the hedgerows.

A Water Rail 'squealed' from the reed bed, next to which, on the path, a buck Munjac was spied having a light bite.  I am sure that Munjac are appearing during the daytime more now than in the past, or is it that there is just more of them?

On the reservoir there were the usual duck, including Goldeneye - the drakes displaying well, 100+ Wigeon, 4 Goosander, 2 Teal, a good count of 39 Gadwall. A Lapwing flock c200 was flying between fields.

23rd January - chilly start, broken cloud during the morning, cloudy & dullish afternoon, light SW, 9C

I am seeing good number of Kestrels around the countryside these days, thankfully their number appear have recovered after an apparent loss a few years ago.

This afternoon I visited Eyebrook reservoir, on the way I spotted 3 Kestrels hunting.

There is a large wintering flock of Lapwing and a good number of Golden Plover, feeding among them were at least 17 Dunlin.  A female Pintail was present amoung the Wigeon and 3 Smew.  Other ducks included Goldeneye, Teal, Tufted, Mallard, Gadwall and one Shelduck.  Only one Grey Heron was spotted.

About 40 Linnets were feeding around the reservoir edge, a Green Woodpecker was searching the trees and a Coal Tit was feeding in the boundary hedgerow. A small number of Redwing and Fieldfare were in the island trees and flew off southeast.

A Red Kite and Buzzard were circling over one of the nearby woods.

When leaving I had a look at the old oak and sure enough the Little Owl was showing well between the branches next to its hole.

In all 43 species were seen, alas not the Slavonian Grebe which has been there a few days.

22nd January - Dull, low cloud with rain, Sunny spells pm, light SW, 10C

Well, the cold snap has gone, back to mild, wet and wind.

Visited Brandon marsh this afternoon, hoping to see the Bittern.  Well, I did see it in flight as it moved across the reed bed, a short but great view.

A pair of Bullfinch were in the marsh brambles, while 12+ Siskin fed in the alders, later on up to 8 Linnets sat in the tree tops.  5 Stock Doves were in their usual tree and a Kestrel flew over.  A Great spotted woodpecker called and a single Jay flew along the tree line.  A Coal Tit was on the feeders with the other usual species.

On the water were the usual ducks etc. 3 Goosander, c20Shoveler, 16 Pochard, lots of Teal, 2 Shelduck, 4 Gadwall, 8+ Cormorant, mixed Greylag and Canada Geese flock, 70+ Lapwing, 4 species of gull and a Grey Heron.

21st - January - frosty start, cloudy. Breeze picking up from SW,and warming

About 1030h a 'charm' of ~30 Goldfinch flew round the village, these are visiting a couple of gardens with feeders.

Just after noon I got a text from Carl he had found a juvenile Glaucous Gull on the ice at Shawell lagoons, so I just had to pop there having so far missed them there.  On arrival the frozen lagoons were covered in gulls, fortunately Carl was still there and able to point me in the right direction.  For those not too good on juvenile gulls, this Glaucous is standing, a little haunched in the center of the photo.

Just as I was taking my first look at the juv through Carl's scope, he said another Glaucous had just landed nearby, amazing.  This one was a 2nd winter bird and much 'cleaner and whiter' looking than the juvenile, just showing a light bill tip after the black area.

20th January- frosty start, cloud clearing to sunny.afternoon, light NW breeze, 4C

A lone male Bullfinch sat in a tree top calling for its mate this morning.  A Raven flew over heading SE, giving the occasional mumbled croak as it went.

In the afternoon I walked over to Bittesby farm area that is usually good for a wintering flock of finches and buntings.  It is a higher stewardship area and has had a lot of planting and food crops put in.  However, today produced very little, no sign of a decent flock. Observing was not helped by two walkers with dogs completely out of control often roaming 500m across the fields and through the cover.

There were about 6 each of Reed Buntings, and Yellowhammers, no Linnet,Goldfinch or Chaffinch though.  In the distance the dog flushed 6 Skylark and a small covey of Partridge.

19th January - Frost last night -3C. high cloud clearing to give sunny afternoon, 4C, light S.

Visited Shawell lagoons in afternoon, hoped for a .white-winged gull'.  The lagoons were mostly frozen over, a good number of gulls were in, probably after feeding at the land fill site nearby, here's a couple of general views of one pool.

After a considerable time scanning the gulls present and others as they arrived there was general disappointment that nothing unusual was showing.  Whats more no colour ringed birds were found, given so that many hundreds of legs were visible as the gulls stood on the ice, extra disappointment.  Finally, one colour ringed Lesser black backed Gull was found, HV108, now I just need to wait for the information about this bird.

Other birds present included Wigeon, Teal, Gadwall, Shoveler, Cormorant and 24+ Carrion Crows, who were most watchful when a Fox appeared.  The Crows often challenged the Fox, with a staring contest head to head on occasions.  The Fox, looked like a dog, was scavenging and trying to stalk the Wigeon. However, it had very little chance of catching one, although they continued feeding they knew exactly where it was, the Crows and Magpies made sure of that.

18th January - mostly cloudy, light breeze, cool 4C

At the feed station this morning bird numbers were up, including 10 Yellowhammers, 8 Tree Sparrows, 6 Chaffinch, several Greenfinch, House Sparrows, a Nuthatch, Coal Tit and 2 Pheasants.  At least 30 Jackdaws visited, these seem to have learnt how to tackle any feeder type to get food out, a couple of Magpies join in too.  

The 2 Goldcrest were in the Church Yew tree for a while, only a couple of Fieldfare were noted flying over the village.  Some 30 Starlings were feeding with the sheep behind the village pond.

17th January - some snow last night. Today mostly cloudy, a litle thaw, light breeze, max 3C

About 2 cm of fluffy snow last night was a change.  For those in Barbados and Hawaii 'chilling' here's a proper picture of 'chilling', ha, ha.

The weather was obviously colder and deeper snow further north, this may have triggered some southward movement of Skylarks as I saw two flocks, c50 and 11, fly over the village during the morning.

During the afternoon I visited the local reservoir, not frozen over though.  12 Goosander were present and the males were behaving quite frisky.

All the other usual ducks were present, but surprisingly few Goldeneye.  14 Cormorant were fishing and a Grey heron was hunting the edge.  A single Snipe sat on the edge of the reed bed.  On the neighborouring field c150 Lapwing, Fieldfares, Starlings and at least 12 Carrion Crow were looking for food.

Three Siskin put in a brief visit, whilst Bullfinch, Goldcrest, Long-tailed Tits and other small birds search the bushes and hedgerow.  Both Green and great spotted Woodpecker were about.  At the feed station Tree Sparrows were in good numbers, c50.

Who can resist a 'cheeky' Robin, near the fishermens spot, no doubt where it picks up pieces.

In total 42 species were seen before the cloud started to deliver a little more snow.  Finally, a Munjac walked across the path in to cover, disappearing from view.

16th January - sunny frosty morning, clouding over later after noon. 4C, light westerly

Another Glaucous Gull was seen during the morning at the landfill sight, so I spent the afternoon at Shawell lagoons hoping it would appear, it did not.

At the lagoons there was a Grey Wagtail, 5 Gadwall, 16 Teal, c250 Wigeon, 4 Mute Swans and 2 Canada Geese.  Black-headed, Common, Leasser-black backed and Great-black backed Gulls, one of the latter had Norweign ring on, spotted by Carl. A Sparrowhawk zoomed though one of the gullies.

15 th January - frosty sunny start, light cold W. Max 4C, clouding over later afternoon, late light cold shower.

A Fox was out in the bright sun first thing, casually walking by the hedge and stopping to sit in the sunshine before disappearing through the hedge.

Checking the feed station this morning I was surprised that there weren't a few more birds present, 4 each of Yellowhammer and Chaffinch, 7 Tree Sparrows were good to see. Nuthatch, Coal Tit and Pheasant were present too.  Up to 12 Greenfinch were visiting the feed station and Church area, including this smart male.

On the pastures behind the church lane there was a nice mixed flock of Thrushes, Corvids and Finches, the following show a few of them feeding.

A quick look late afternoon at the area where the Short-eared Owls have been did not produce any, but on the mid distance pastures there was a mixed flock of Lapwing and Golden Plover.  Although they sometimes took flight, they quickly returned to the pastures.

14th January - damp cloudy start, clearing to give sunny afternoon with brisk cold NW 4C max

Cold winter weather with snow on the high ground has started to come down from the north.  It looks like cold and frosty weather will hang around for a few days.

I noticed one holly tree in the village is still fully laden with berries and all the fruit still around on the ground should help some species cope with the cold spell.  First time this winter a Blackbird was eating some of the cotoneaster berries in the garden.

20+ House Sparrows were sheltering from the wind in the garden clematis.

Along Montilo lane the foraging flock Fieldfare and Starling is still present and maybe larger now, with more FIeldfare in the adjacent Pailton road fields.

I heard that 3 woodcock were flushed from a nearby wood last weekend A number winter in the right places around the village area every year.

13th January - Broken high cloud after a wet night. Mod westerly, feeling cool 4C

A Green Woodpecker was active early and calling at sunrise to the east of the village.

A flock of c50 Fieldfare flew west over the village mid- day and settled in the trees and fields to feed.

At 1630h Small flocks of Starlings were flying southeast to roost, probably at Shawell and 15+ Redwing flew their roost on the old railway track.

12th January - winters rain showers, cool keen SW wind at times 5C

I found a Barn Owl pellet this morning outside at a straw stack maybe from the owl seen at Christmas time.  Barn Owls occasionally roost at the nearby barn but it is not a brilliant barn for them.

11th January - rain before dawn, then a cloudy day, light SW, 5C

Not too much time for observing today.

A Great-spotted Woodpecker was around the village this morning, these have been a mostly absent over recent week.

A Kestrel was hunting close to Claybrooke Parva late morning.

10th January - High broken cloud, sunny spells, light SW, max 6C

Two Ravens were behind the old railway track mid-morning in the trees and field, being quite vocal between themselves, I wonder if this a prospecting pair.

The water level at the local lake is still very high, so no Water Rail found in the reeds.  A pair of Little Grebes were 'trilling', 3 Tufted Duck were present and only two adult Mute Swans - the juveniles having moved off.

A single Lesser Redpoll was in the Alder trees, while ~30 Goldfinch were flying around before landing to feed and only singles of both Redwing and Fieldfare were present.

On the way to the local reservoir this afternoon a little (early) Spring colour was spotted on the road verge near South Kilworth.

The reservoir was generally quite, 20+ tree Sparrows were at the feed station, along with a mixture of Tits, including a Coal Tit.  There was about 60 Wigeon, 100 Tufted Duck and 9 Goldeneye.  At the Beeches a Treecreeper was busy searching for food, along with a party of Long-tailed Tits.

Late afternoon a Kestrel sat atop a Ash sapling along the coal pit lane east of the village

9th January - cloudy, light SW, 8C

A Glaucous Gull (juv) was found at the local landfill site this morning by Carl (see his blog 'bag a wild one') and I hoped it would be present at the neighbouring Shawell lagoons this afternoon, however it was not re-found.  There were many hundreds of gulls in the area today, but not too many visited the lagoons this afternoon, so a promising Gull watching day was rather disappointing in the end.

Other birds were also rather scarce, Canada Gesse ~40, a single Wigeon,  Tufted Duck and a Mallard pair and a Pied Wagtail were around the lagoons. A couple of Goldcrest were in the bordering hedgerow and local Buzzard put in an appearance.

8th January - light night frost, mostly sunny morning, cloudy afternoon, light SW, 8C

A mixed flock of Fieldfare (c60), Redwing and Starlings were feeding on a winter wheat field next to Montilo Lane.  Late afternoon, a single Meadow Pipit flew SW over the village, calling as it went.  There has been many fewer seen this autumn and winter on the fields presumably due to the mild weather so far.

7th December - light rain until mid day then brighter spells, light freshening SW 9C

As a wet front was moving east during the day I decided to head SW to Slimbridge WWT on the Severn estuary and jolly pleased I did too.  The weather was dry with nice sunny spells but a fresh wind was blowing in off the Severn.

The area was full of birds, thousands of Golden Plover and Lapwings and wildfowl and a variety of other waders.  The following photos set the scene.

White-fronted Geese, mostly European and 5 Greenland, Barnacle, Greylag and Canada were all present.  Bewick Swans were on the pastures and estuary.

Two Scaup (females) were present on one pool with many other duck species, Shoveler, Tufted Duck, Pochard, Teal, Wigeon and Pintail.

Unusually, a Grey Phalarope had been present a few days, but not seen today, until I found it along the edge of one of the meres, allowing others to get brief views.  This is the first there for about 9 years so a real scarcity.

Other waders included Snipe, Ruff, Redshank, two Little Stint and a flock of Black-tailed Godwits.

Up to 5 Cranes were spotted through the day, one pair were performing the dancing display.

Birds of prey were rather scarce today, but the ever present Peregrine Falcon(s) was present, one making a kill (probably a Golden plover) not too far from the Holden Tower hide. The Rooks were paying a lot of attention to the Peregrine whilst eating its prey, or were they waiting for any leftovers!

In all I saw 53 species, Slimbridge this time of year is an amazing place, if you have never visited I highly recommend it.

6th January - a dull, damp and misty start , slowly brightening, very brief sunny spell afternoon, then cloud building. Light SW breeze, 8C

Mistle and Song Thrush singing this morning around the village.  Surprising the Great Tits aren't singing more, maybe they are waiting for the sun.

A busy day moving sheep from water logged fields and treating them with a dose of copper now they are halfway through pregnancy.  Spring lambs will soon be in the fields and wildlife in full change mode.

5th January - high cloud, light S, 8C

A day without rain.

A flock of at least 40 Fieldfare and 30 Starlings were sitting in the top of an Ash tree chattering away behind the church.  The charm of Goldfinch is still visiting the village garden feeders.  All the usual visitors were at the feed station, including 3 Pheasants.  Grey Squirells, 3 or more are seen daily, do they ever hibernate now?

Two Kestrels were sitting on the telegraph wires near to woodby lane and a Buzzard in the road side tree near to High Cross.

4th January - cloudy, higher and short bright breaks. Light SE/S, 8C

This morning there were at least 10 Yellowhammers at my feed station.  A Song Thrush was singing at the top end of the village.  Small groups of Filedfare were flying about the fields.

I visited the area near Stanford. Reservoir to see if the Short-earned Owls were showing, I did not see them.  However, over 300 Commom Gulls were on the neighbouring pastures with Rooks, Jackdaws and Starlings.  11 Teal and a few Wigeon were feeding on the flooded area in the fields.  3 Stock Dove were in the Ash trees, while several Long-tailed Tits and 2 Goldcrest searched the hedgerow.

The area has a lot of bird cover crop which is attracting quite a few Yellowhammers (c75) and Reed Bunting (c20), plus several Tree Sparrows, Linnet and Chaffinch.

In the distance to the west of the reservoir a large flock of Lapwing were flying around, -600, looking to land locally.

3rd January - dull wet start and continued until early evening, light SE, 8C

The weather made it pretty nasty out today with little locally to report, hopefully the weather will pick up somewhat.

A Green Woodpecker called this morning from the wood just east of the village.

2nd January - Dull and damp start, remaining cloudy, light rain late afternoon, light SE, 10C

At my feed station there were at least 4 Yellowhammers this morning.  Does this mean food in the fields is now getting scarce, even though the weather is not cold, just very wet?

I visited Eyebrook reservoir today, what a difference since my last visit in mid December, the water level is now very high and a rather brown colour with all the new water that's run in.  There were a lot of Teal and Wigeon plus the other usual duck species.  Additionally, there were 7 Smew present, there seems to have been and influx in to the Midlands in the recent days.  A couple of Little Egret were searching the edge for food.  The Lapwing were scattered all around the reservoir, well over a 1000, some were gathered in the shallow water at the inlet end, over 200 in the photo below.

Several Bullfinch were in the bordering hedgerow, a flock of Fieldfare 50+, the odd Redwing and Song Thrush were flying around the fields, and a small flock of Chaffinch flew over the inlet wood.  5 Red Kites were flying low together over the adjoining field at the inlet end.

1st January - bright morning, light wind, cloud thickening and wind freshening S/SW, 6C

Happy New year to all.
A light frost for a change last night, but gone by late morning.

In the village parish area last year I notched up 73 species of bird, which is not bad, fortunately very little change on the previous year total.

First thing this morning c20 Fieldfare were in the fields to the east and rooks were very busy attending to their nests again. A Jay flew from the Long Spinney over the allotments gardens.

I checked my feed station area for a while and the usual visitors were present. Nuthatch, single Coal Tit, several Blue and Great Tits, a dozen House Sparrow, still only one Tree Sparrow, 6 Chaffinch, 2 Yellowhammers and a Great-spotted Woodpecker, 2 splendid male Bullfinches feeding on blackberries, then a female Sparrowhawk zoomed through making everything head for cover.  At least 10 Redwing were in the thick hedge while several Jackdaws squabbled nearby.

A visit to the local lake was a little disappointing, a couple of Little Grebe were 'trilling', and only one of the Mute Swan family was present today. A skein of 32 Greylag geese flew over southward but did not land, then a single Cormorant and in the distance c50 lapwing were flying SW over the fields.

I made an afternoon trip to Draycote water to catch up with some interesting birds and gulls which have been there recently. The wind really began to pick up and mist and a little drizzle later made the light almost disappear for Gull watching.  With extra people sailing on the open water today the birds were well scattered and harder to find.  Still, I did find a Great Northern Diver just off shore that was very obliging.