28th. Feb - sunny spells am, then cloud and rain pm, light SW, 7C

A busy day.

I did see a few Redwing again in the small spinney trees to the east and a Mistle Thrush was singing near the village church.

27th Feb - short sharp showers, brief sunny spells, light SW, 7C

This week will be busy getting ready for lambing, so not too much free time.

A few Redwing flew over this morning and I briefly checked my feed station noting at least 6 Yellowhammer and a couple of Tree Sparrow.  This time of year is hard for seed eaters, so help for them is important, no seeds have been produced in the wild for a long time now.

26th Feb - cloudy, mod-strong blustery SW, 10C

At breakfast time 2 cock Blackbirds were disputing garden territory while a hen bird watched on.

In the field to the east 2 cock Pheasant were having a territory dispute too, I wonder if they have partners. A small mixed flock of Redwing and Fieldfare flew overhead.

I visited Stanford reservoir this afternoon, the wind was a challenge and it felt cool, the water was very rough.  However, the water level is now much lower providing a good 2m wide ashore around all of the reservoir.  So, we should attract some spring waders on migration if it remains like this for a few more weeks.

Today, the long-tailed duck was seen again, about 50 Goosanders, the number of teal has risen to about 80 now the shore is present.  11 Little Egret were seen, although a fisherman said he counted 20 and others were present too.  All the other usual duck species were present, along with Great-crested Grebes and 4 Little Grebe.  A female Grey Wagtail sat on the overflow wall and about 20 Fieldfare flew over with a few Redwing with them.  Finally, a Cetti's Warbler was singing from a waterside thicket.

25th. Feb - cloudy, light to blusterly SW, 10C, damp, light showers on/off

This morning first thing a Blackbird sat on the roof top singing away.

In the wood to the east of the village a Geeat-spotted Woodpecker was drumming and a Green Woodpecker 'yaffled' often.   In the spinney to the west about 30 Redwings flew of heading eastward.

The rest of the day I visited vintage feastival at Malvern, a part of the country I don't know too well.  What is most striking as you enter this area of Worcestershire is the large amount of Mistletoe that seems to be in every suitable tree.

24th Feb - sunny morning, broken cloud pm, light SW, 9C

various tree debris in many places following yesterday's strong wind, travelling around locally there were plenty of branches down.  The Rooks in the local Long Spinney had been very busy over the recent weeks and many were looking good, however, yesterday's wind has blown all but 2 away.  They ought to rebuild again in the near future.  Fortunately, other Rook nests in the area were not so badly affected and many remained in place.

I visited Shawell lagoons this afternoon, there were plenty of Gulls on the lagoons, maybe 1500, of all the commoner species.  Looking carefully through the Gulls on the shore I was able to find a juvenile Glaucous Gull busy preening itself.

Juv/1W Glaucous Gull

Also, present was 2 Great-crested Grebe, a small flock of Tufted Duck, -35 Canada Geese, Coot and Moorhen,  2 Wigeon and 5 Teal.  I was scanning the edge along the reeded area when a Water Rail walked slowing through a gap feeding as it went, my first record for this site.

After awhile I moved to check the Sandy Lane pools area, here I counted 50 Pied Wagtail busy feeding, a single Meadow Pipit and Linnet with them.  On the far pool the hoped for Green Sandpiper was feeding.

23rd Feb - strong, gusty west wind, 40mph+, cloudy am, sunny spells brief pm, 8C, occ short showers later

Storm Doris came through mostly north of us and over the UK causing some damage and much snow in Scotland.  Although very windy here we have got away pretty well unscathed.

Wildlife was keeping well out the way today with only the usual hardy birds like Gulls and crows attempting to fly about.  Travelling along the A5 just passed Hinckley I noticed a Kestrel battling head on in to the wind.

22nd Feb - cloudy, mod-freshening NW/W, mild 13C

I was passing the landfill site this afternoon so I stopped to see if I could find any of the scarce Gulls.  I have often mentioned the landfill site at Cotesbach and today it was really busy with Gulls as filling continued.  Not always picturesque sites hold 'good' birds, as you can see from the following photos.

These photos show only a small portion of the Gulls visiting the landfill, there were many hundred flying and taking a drink/preen/rest at the pools which are nearby in the sand quarry.  Easily 2000-3000 Gulls were in attendance, however I did not succeed in finding a Iceland or Glaucous Gull among them.

In one Gull flock circling over the area a Red Kite joined in, sometimes being harassed by the larger Gulls.

A Green Sandpiper was feeding on the nearby field pools.

21St Feb - mostly cloudy, brief sunny spels am, mild 12C, light SW wind

First thing there were 6 Stock Doves on the pasture field near the barns.  Two Mistle Thrushes were on the sheep pasture near the Long Spinney, and they were there again late afternoon, so probably a local breeding pair.

Mid-morning I visited Stanford reservoir to meet the ranger and Mick to assess the location of the new Sand Martin bank that is to be built and to consider where a wader scrape could be built.  We made good progress on both and hopefully I can report on the progress of these two projects and eventually that they deliver benefits.

Whilst there I did see the Long-tailed Duck again. A male Sparrowhawk dashed past along the willows.   A Pair of Mute Swans were mating and a  Reed Bunting was singing a little.  The -14 Little Egrets were present on a nearby flooded field area.

Late morning -15 Fieldfare flew south over the village and -20 Redwing were in the old railway Ash trees.

20th Feb - very mild 15C, light westerly, mostly cloudy, very brief sunny spell pm

Little time for obs today.  Record warm temps in some places today, mainly east and south.

I did notice the Pied Wagtail,pair at their usual nest site under old pan tiles and the male showing off.

19th Feb - cloudy, grey, light westerly, 11C

A Goldcrest was singing in the Church yard yew tree first thing.  In the top field east of village a mixed flock of Redwing and Fieldfare were feeding ~ 150, plus a flock of Starlings ~100.  Mid-morning I heard a Curlew call as it flew over northward.

I visited Stanford reservoir this afternoon to check it out.  The water level has gone down a little more, with some shore appearing around all of the water now.  It is planned to drop the level a lot over the next two weeks, so we'll see what birds drop in.

The usual water birds were around, Goosander 64, Teal 17, a good number of Pochard, Wigeon and Goldeneye.  The Long-tailed Duck was seen briefly, then disappeared and not seen again - this often happens.  14 Little Egret, 3 Grey Heron.  Two Litle Grebes were near the reeds and ove4 30 Great-crested Grebes are still present.

Small birds seemed few, a single Bullfinch and Goldfinch, 40+ Tree Sparrows at the feed station.  A flock of c15 Redwing and c30 Fieldfare flew over southward.  A couple of Buzzard were chasing each other in the area over the fields.  Skylark are singing well now, even more so if the sun would shine.

18th. Feb - Foggy morning, slowing clearing to a grey day, light S wind, 8C

The Sparrowhawk was back in the garden first thing this morning, this time just looking around for prey.

This afternoon I went back to the landfill and Shawell lagoons to check out for more scarce Gulls following yesterdays sightings, however the Gulls were few. Although this morning many were present and Carl did see 2 Glaucous and 1 Iceland Gull there.  The lagoons were also fairly quite and similar birds as yesterday, although now 2 Great-crested Grebe.  These are now dispersing from their wintering sites to locate breeding sites, although they have never bred here yet.

One the way home I noticed a mixed flock of Redwing and Fieldfare, about 100, flying to the east of the village and 3 Stock Doves were on the pasture.  A Green Woodpecker was calling from its usual wood area.

17th Feb - high cloud, light breeze, 11C

A mild spell continues, even at night, and more to come they say.

At breakfast time a Sparrowhawk had caught a cock House Sparrow in the garden and was plucking it.  It may have been the end for that particular one, but the other end of lifes cycle was seen later in the garden when another cock House Sparrow was gathering nest material and disappearing in to the roof.

This afternoon I visited Shawell lagoons, there was a good number of Gulls present and I had just read a colour ring when something alarmed them and off they all went towards the landfill.  On the water was a pair of Shelduck, 20 Tufted Duck, a flock,of -160 Wigeon flew over and circled, some settled but most went off elsewhere.  Similarly, a flock of Lapwing flew over, some landing but most heading back to the fields. A Heron was standing on the side resting and 8 Canada Gese were on the central bank.

Next a look at the Sandy Lane pools, there was not too much happening here, although 26 Pied Wagtails were nice to see and a Kestrel was in the tree before flying off.

From here I could watch the landfill area where they were filling in and many Gulls were present.  After some searching through I found an adult Glaucous Gull, looking very splendid, after a while this flew out of sight to the pools nearby, no doubt to freshen- up.  A little later I found another adult Glaucous Gull, this one still had some of the pale brown winter plumage on its head and neck. Two Glaucous Gulls so quickly was really good.

16th Feb - sunny morning clouding over, few spots of rain, 10C

A few Redwing were in the spinney tree tops to the west of the village, a Great Tit was singing there too.  A male starling was displaying to its partner in the nearby Ash tree, they then booth explore the trees holes, a pair often nests in this tree.

A single Canada Goose flew passed the village during the morning.

A male Pied Wagtail was on the roof of buildings, giving a sub-song and its mate was nearby, no doubt they too will be nesting under the roof tiles as last year.

Signs of Spring are showing all around, but still plenty of time for winter weather to return.

15th Feb - cloudy, mild 11C, cloudy misty morning, clearing and rain from mid-afternoon

Small numbers of Redwing and Fieldfare flying over the village during the morning.  The Nuthatch was calling well and visited the feed station during the morning.

14th Feb Norfolk- frost last night, sunny all day, light easterly, 10C

A great days birding at a number of sites.  First thing from my hotel, while waiting for a friend to join me, overlooking the sea I could see Gulls moving north along the coast from their roosts in the Wash area.  A single Shelduck and female Eider flew passed to.

The first stop was the beach area at the end of Beach road, Holme-next the sea, here Snow Buntings had been reported.  Walking out from the road through the sea buckthorn area Steve spotted a small bird, this turned out to be a Lesser Whitethroat, one that has been wintering in the area.  On the intermediate marsh area 3 Rock Pipits were found feeding, Meadow Pipits and Skylark were numerous.  A Fulmar flew past out at sea and the commoner waders were along the shoreline.  No Snow Bunting here.

We made our way to the NOA observatory area, a Kestrel was hunting and in the distance two Marsh Harrier and a Buzzard were airborne.  Many Lapwing were on the grazing marsh along with Pink-footed Geese.  A flock of Goldfinch were in the trees, plus a Fieldfare.  A male Bearded Tit popped up in the Reed mace in front of us and spent some time feeding.

We then decided to do some sea watching from this area, so walked out on to the dunes to give us a raised vantage viewing spot.  Once we got our 'eye in' we started spotting birding on the sea and flying past.  A large flock of Wigeon were on the sea, near them several Long-tailed Duck, a flock of 14 once, more than this in total. Maybe 3 different Great-norther Divers were present with several Red-throated Divers flying by.  Several Red-breasted Mergansers were bobbing about, then a Razorbill flew in and settled on the sea.  A couple of Goldeneye flew passed, Great-crested Grebe were on the sea and briefly a Slavonian Grebe was spotted.

Good sea-watching conditions, great views too

After quite awhile we decided to move to the Gore point area in search of Snow Bunting, very quickly a flock flew past and selected on the single area.  They kept moving but stayed in the area, I estimated about 60 in the flock, so good to watch them feeding and blending in to the background.

On the shore a flock of Brent geese flew in and settled.

Next call was at Thornham Harbour, looking for the Twite.  At first they could not be found in the harbour area, so we walking out along the marsh wall, here a splendid male Stonechat was seen in the low bushes.  In the distance the flock of Twite could be seen feeding on the marsh, we walked closer, but the Twite had moved off and again could not be found, a few Linnet remained.

Off to Titchwell for a snack and then to explore that area.  There were plenty of ducks on the fresh marsh (Pintail, Shoveler, Shelduck, Wigeon) etc and a selection of waders, including Avocets.  Here a Water Pipit was feeding on a near small island.  A Sparrowhawk sat on the old brick building and 2 Marsh harriers were flying around.

On the shore Bar-tailed Godwit, Dunlin, Sanderling, Grey Plover, Turnstone and other waders were feeding.  In the mid-distance on the sea a huge black flock of Common Scoter were drifting.  Red-breasted Mergansers, Long-tailed duck, Great-crested Grebe and Goldeneye were also found, a Great Northern Diver too.

13th Feb Norfolk - sunny, stiff easterly, 7C, feeling cold

Headed off to Norfolk this morning. It was good to see several Red Kites en route.

First target was to find the Shore Lark at Holkham beach, it was very crowded when I got there, I forgot it was school holidays, I met two others who had been looking, they told me they had not found them to the east after two hours.  I headed west away from the crowds and dogs and amazingly very soon found the flock feeding with Skylark and Meadow Pipits.  They are really smart birds and we're we're very actively feeding.  I managed a few record photos, here's a selection

The wind and cold was really unpleasant so I decided to head inland towards Lynford arboretum to see the Hawfinch and to stop on the way to see a Great Grey Shrike that had been reported.  At the Shrike site a number of distant people were moving up the track where it was, however they flushed the bird and it disappeared over the hedge and lost to view - better luck next time!

At the arboretum there was a good selection of birds, a flock of Siskin, Brambling with Goldfinch and Chaffinch too.  Great, Blue and Coal Tits were numerous, a Marsh Tit was calling and flew in to the bush next to me.  A Song Thrush was singing full voice.  Looking across the paddock towards the conifer wood several Hawfinch had arrived and were sitting in the tree tops, eventually dropping in to the trees to roost, several more followed giving good views, I saw about 10 from my location.

12th Feb - wintry light drizzle/ rain/sleet/snow most of the day, cool Easterly light-mod, 1C

I ventured out in to the murk this afternoon to Stanford reservoir hoping that a scarce duck or Goose was new in.  As it was the Lon-tailed duck was still present in its preferred area.  Goosander numbers are still increasing, I counted 67, and probably missed 10, but was unsure in case I had counted them already.  This may be a record count here.  Plenty of the usual other duck species were around.  Only 8 Little Egret were seen around the waters edge.

In the bushes along the by-pass was a flock about 12 Long-tailed Tits and a couple of Goldcrest, but little else.  On the adjacent rough ground a small flock of Goldfinch and Chaffinch were feeding along with Blackbirds, Redwings, Fieldfare and a Mistle Thrush.   A Buzzard was in the Rookery wood calling and flying around, a single Jay scalded from within the wood.

11th Feb - cloudy, murky, cold, 2C, light NE, occasional light drizzle/winters shower.

A proper grey winters day - but still not that bad really for winter, very little serious cold weather yet.

I visited Shawell lagoons after lunch, not many Gulls there, a few Lapwing and single Mute Swan and Great-crested Grebe, Tufted Duck up at 20 today.

I moved on to the landfill site, the weather was really murky, light was not good and the NE wind blowing right in to my face.  The wind direction meant that all the Gulls were facing directly away, head in to the wind, so lots of tail-on views.

Carl picked out a Juv Glaucous Gull half hidden behind another Gull, then I found a juv Iceland Gull on a bank side taking shelter from the wind.   Although there was 2000-3000 Gulls at the landfill, from my viewing point most were not visisble, but they kept coming and going to the shallow pools I could see, so one had to keep searching through them.

Carl spotted an interesting Gull, it had head and bill of a Glaucous Gull, but had pale brown primaries and similar wide tail band, this looked good for a Glaucous x Herring Gull hybrid (Viking Gull), which is quite common in the northern breeding territories.

10th Feb - cloudy, cool 3C, breeze-light wind E, occasionally wintry light shower

A Fox trotted over a field this morning during a wintry shower.

I checked out my feed station this morning before lunch, it was nice to see 8 Tree Sparrows present today.  All the usual put in an appearance, Yellowhammer, Chaffinch, Great, Blue and Coal Tits, 4 Blackbirds, plenty of House Sparrows, Dunnock and a Starling to name a few.  A male sparrowhawk zipped by me and in to the church yard area.  About 50 Redwing flew over into the old railway trees and a couple of Fieldfare.

After lunch I visited Swithland reservoir, a good place to see Mandarin Duck, I could see at least 12 under the overhanging willows, the drakes looking very splendid.  On the main reservoir there were the commoner duck species, but low in number.  A Grey Wagtail was on the dam and a couple of Bullfinch were in the bushes along the back of the dam.

A drake Ruddy Duck in winter plumage was present, these are fairly unusual to see nowadays following the national culling program to reduce the potential threat to the Spanish White-headed Duck population.  The Ruddy Duck is a UK non-native duck, from North America, that can hybridise with the w-h Duck, the cull has divided opinion on whether it is right to do this or not.

From the top of its usual tree on the adjacent hill a Peregrine surveyed the scene, often flying around.  At one point there were 4 Buzzard in the air, the Peregrine often had an interaction with them. Also, 2 Ravens were often seen or heard, probably a pair breeding in the area, these are early breeders.

9th Feb - high blanket grey cloud, NE breeze, light wind, 3C, feeling cold

Mid-morning a Raven flew over Muswell Leys, the other side of the long spinney and ~10 Redwing flew over the village.

A couple of Mistle Thrush were at the central Holly tree and church yard area.  Later a small charm of Goldfinch flew from a garden in to the church Horsechestnut, then off over the fields.  Another Cormorant was seen flying over quite high.

I erected a Tawny Owl box in a wood today, a little late really, but we'll see if any Owl occupies it.

8th Feb - Cloudy, dull, some drizzle/misty at times, light easterly - feeling cold, 4C

A really poor day weather-wise.

A Kestrel was hovering close to the road just through Walcote this morning.

7th Feb - sunny periods, light SE, 10C

A busy day, but I did notice a few Fieldfare flying over the village, Great and Coal Tit were singing well.  A Buzzard was on the field next to the coal pit lane west of the village.

A Badger road kill was near the old railway on the coal pit lane.

6th Feb - good frost last night. mostly cloudy, light SE, 6C

The Green Woodpecker was calling a lot this morning to the east of the village.

To the west the Mistle Thrush was sitting on the wires as usual, funny I've not heard much sone yet from the Mistle thrushes.  A Great-spotted Woodpecker called in the Long spinney nearby.

A busy day vaccinating Sheep, so little time free.

Later afternoon ~10 Fieldfare flew north over the village to the adjacent fields.

5th Feb - mostly cloudy, light SE, 7C

I visited Stanford reservoir this afternoon, the water level had risen a little due to the recent rain, but they are still dropping the level for maintenance work, the lower water level is ideal for the dabbling duck, Goosander too are at their highest count for several years and yet we still have plenty of diving Duck.  Little Egret numbered 16 and Grey Helen 4.  There were 61 Shoveler, again the highest count for quite awhile.  A small duck flew out of the bay and passed me the other side of willows, at first I thought it was a Teal, but it looked different, I could then see it was a 'redhead' Smew, probably the one seen recently and just been hiding.  I spent some while looking for the Long-tailed Duck too, but could not find it, however just before leaving I had one more scan of the area and there it was.

20+ Tree Sparrows were at the feed station, and ~10 Chaffinch were nearby, generally there seemed few small birds about.  A couple of Goldfinch and ~20 Linnet were around in the tree tops before flying off.

4th Feb - Ground frost last night. Mostly sunny, light SE/S, 7C

First thing I had a look at the local lake, very quite, apart from a Song Thrush singing full throttle. Three other Song Thrushes were around the lake, and several Blackbirds.  On the lake there was only 2 Tufted Duck and a few Coot, 2 Moorhen from fron the top of the boundary hedge on to the lake.

After lunch I went to Shawell lagoons, on the shore was about 400 Lapwing and a about 150 Gulls, but none of the scarcer ones.  One the mid bank was a drake Shelduck, this will have returned from its wintering location and hoping for a mate, they do like the local habitat here and at the sandpit nearby.  So, you could say this is the first Spring migrant to show up this year.

I decided to move to the landfill area, I had just got in to the car and was moving slowly along the lane when a Merlin flew over the hedge from the lagoons directly along the lane towards me, then passed the car and over the field.

I then moved to the landfill to see what gulls were present, there was several thousand around so search through them was a challenge.  As I was looking at one group a juvenile Glaucous Gull walked in to view, I watched this for a while then it flew off to the landfill.  After awhile it returned, I was able to tell Carl, who came to view it and take some photos.  I managed some very distant record shots with my bridge camera.

 Juv Glaucous Gull, right bird in pool

Juv Glaucous Gull, centre top of bank

A couple of Buzzards kept flying over and scattering the Gulls, but most just flew around and came back.

I then noticed the far side, a brownish large long winged - long tailed bird with a dull white rump area, it headed off behind the landfill, it looked really good for a Hen Harrier.

3rd Feb - sunny morning, becoming cloudy, 8C, mod SE wind

Several Redwing were in the spinney west of the village first thing.  A Cormorant flew over towards the mere lane lake and a Mistle Thrush was around the Holly tree again.  Somewhere in the village a Song Thrush was singing.

2nd Feb - Very unsettled, mod-gusty SW wind, occasional shower, 13C, but feeling cooler

A busy day. No obs today.

1st February - Slimbridge WWT. High cloud, mod - fresh SW, 12C, short showers

I visited Slimbridge Wildfowl and Wetland reserve in Gloucestershire today arriving about 1300h to see the wintering Swans, Geese, ducks and other birds often there.

From the Rushy hide and over the fields many hundreds of the more common duck were present, its a good place to get photos, like of  these Pintail.

On the fields various birds were feeding, a Peregrine was perched in a tree top surveying the scene, with thousands of birds wintering here food is abundant for these falcons.  On the far side two Cranes were feeding with 3 more closer, behind them a flock of Curlew were busy feeding.

A couple of Bewick Swan preening nearby, while out on the Dumbles (the marshes towards the river Severn) a flock of ~100 Bewicks were feeding.

Here and on the other marshes were many hundred Lapwing and Golden Plover, a large flock of Barnacle and European White-fronted Geese.  Dunlin were busy feeding on the grassy areas and around the pools, then a wintering Little Stint flew in a joined them for a while.  Also, a good number of Skylark and meadow Pipit were feeding in the grass and tussocks.  In this area over the last couple of days a Lapland Bunting had been seen.  I search for a considerable period but failed to find it, although every so often someone in the Holden Tower hide claimed they had found it, but each proved to be incorrect while I was there.

I later moved on to view the south finger area where Bittern, 3, have been seen.  After an hour of watching the reed beds and area no Bittern were seen, plenty of other bird activity though, with a good number of Black-tailed Godwits, Lapwing and Golden Plover in the area and a Cettis' Warbler sang from the scrub.

After a further wait a Bittern flew up from the reeds and passed the hide to the next reed bed in front of the Kingfisher hide, so a quick short walk to there.  Here the Bittern sat in the reeds, quite high, but also half hidden.  Unfortunately it never came out in to the open. Still it was easy to watch while it, preened a little, yawned and generally rested.  Can you spot it in these photos?

A good day was had, if you have never visited Slimbridge in the winter, its highly recommended.