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.