8th Jan - Cloudy, a bit misty, brighter later, still and mild again 10C

First thing a flock of Long-tailed Tits with Goldcrests were in the hedge and Long Spinney to the east of the village.  About 1000h 12 Redwings flew over SW and a female Sparrowhawk shot from the church yard over the paddock to the feed station, however it did not make a catch and carried on.

Being mild a number of birds were having a go at singing, Song Thrush, Great Tit, Green Woodpecker calling and Robin to name a few.

This afternoon I visited the north arm of Rutland Water, here a number of interesting birds have been seen recently.  A Green-wing Teal was present but had just been flushed by Fishermen off the near-by bank. Howver, with searching the distant area it flew to I was able to find it again among other Teal and duck.  There were plenty of the usual duck species out on the water, Great-crested and Little Grebe.  Then two Black-necked Grebe were spotted feeding, then another two Grebes, one of these was a Slavonian Grebe with an other Black-necked Grebe.  A group of eight Little Grebe had been feeding in this area too.

After watching this area I decided to have a quick look at Eyebrook reservoir as I passed it going home.  Eight Pintail were among the usual duck species, several Dunlin were on the exposed mud and three Snipe were at the waters edge.  At the inflow end there was a large mixed flock of Lapwing and Golden Plover, it was great listening to their constant contact calls.  After some while they were spooked and  they took flight (maybe a Peregrine flew past them), an impressive sight filling the sky, after a while they landed again.

 Lapwing

Lapwing

 Golden Plover

Very close by is an old oak tree that usually has a Little Owl in attendance, today was no exception, through the mist you can just about make it out.

Little Owl