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.