30th Jan - sun and showers, 7 C, light W

Shawell sandpit; there were thousands of Gulls resting here and feeding on the adjacent landfill.  Among the resting birds was the Juv Glaucous Gull, the one that’s been seen here earlier in the month.

29th Jan - band of rain moved through am

Started dry but a band of rain from the NW, lasted a couple of hours, then cooler and fresher, 7C

Willey; on the stubble field to the west there was about 50 Chaffinch and 10 Yellowhammers.

28th Jan - sunny and breezy, mild 13C

Willey; the RSPB bird bird count today so I counted what came to the feed station in the paddock for an hour this morning.  In all 17 species were counted, with several other species in the area or flying over.  House Sparrow was the most numerous with a max count of 15, Tree Sparrows 6, Great-spotted Woodpecker, Collard Dove, Chaffinch, Greenfinch and Long-tailed Tit all 2 each, 4 Yellowhammers, 7 each of Blue and Great Tit.
The best flt-over was a Peregrine Falcon that headed slowly southward.

Stanford reservoir; I had a look here this afternoon, the very breezy wind was definitely keeping creatures tuck away, even the duck seemed harder to find.  A Little grebe was on the inlet pool, 4 Teal were nice to see among Wigeon, Tufted and Pochard, 5 Goldeneye were together, with the males displaying.  Passerines were few, but included Long-tailed Tits and a single male Bullfinch.

27th Jan - rain of course

A band of rain spread through during the morning until early afternoon, 8C, light-breezy southerly.

Shawell; Carl found an Iceland Gull here just before lunch I popped and had a quick look but it had flown, hopefully it will return another day.

A Spotted Sandpiper had been reported not too far away so, with the weather feeling grim I decided to go and have a look for it.  The Spotted Sandpiper is an American wader, that really should be the other side of the Atlantic.  We have a few sighting every year mostly in the autumn,  often a juvenile, as this one is.  I managed to get good views of it  - feeding on worms.

26th Jan - High cloud, a dry day

a few sunny spells mid day otherwise high cloud, light NW, 8C

Willey; mid morning a mixed flock of Fieldfare, Redwing and Starling flew over home east and settled in the tree tops before moving off south, c175, c50 and c40 respectively.
Two pairs of Bullfinch were feeding on Blackthorn buds in the church lane, while 4 Greenfinch sat in the bush top.  Long-tailed Tits and a Great-spotted Woodpecker visited the feed station.
A nice group of Snowdrops in flower under the lane hedge.

Bittesby fields; I had a walk over here to see if the finch flock was still present, it was. c80 Linnets, c40 Chaffinches we’re feeding on the bird food crop. With the Chaffinch was a single Brambling. On the next field 15 Yellowhammers we’re feeding.  A pair of Green Woodpeckers were busy feeding in the area on the track.

25th Jan - sunny morning cloud forming, then scattered showers pm, light-breezy SW, 7C

Some showers during the night ensuring the ground is still very wet everywhere.

Willey; a couple of Bullfinch flew over ~0900h.

Cotesbach quarry; I passed here this afternoon and had a quick look, there were many hundreds of Gulls present, resting after feeding at the landfill, only a part of the total number in the area.
A Red Kite flew over head.

Stanford reservoir, a quick look here, fairly quiet today.  a single Coal Tit, a Lesser Redpoll and a number of Tree Sparrows at the feed station area.

The Lapwing flock was still present on the adjacent fields ~500, need to count this photo yet, just part of the flock.  I've counted - there is 319 in this photo, so I think at least double this present.

24th Jan - gusty southerly with heavy shower, rain till 1400h, wind easing and clearing at sunset, 7C

Everywhere thoroughly wet again, saving grace at least it’s not cold

Snowdrops, lawn daisies and gorse in flower this morning.

Willey; a considerable flock of Chaffinch and Yellowhammer on stubble field to the west, 50+.

Theddingworth;  usual Blue and Great Tits on feeders, a female Great-spotted Woodpecker joined in and a Chaffinch that had quite a lot of white on its wings - unusual.  A few Fieldfare and Redwings were flying around in the rain.

23rd Jan - Cloudy, breezy, mild

Cloudy with a WSW wind, breezy at time, mild 13C, little light drizzle late pm

Willey; about 30 Redwing were feeding to the west on Sheep pastures, mid-day a Sparrowhawk did the 'bird table' round through the village.

On the way round detoured to Pitsford reservoir to see the Slavonian Grebe which has been present a few days, most scarce this winter so far. Distant record photos were made in poor light conditions.

22nd - mostly sunny, 8C, light SW

All change - a finger of mild weather came up from the SW over night giving us a pleasant day.  On a nice day like today, noticeable that day light is lasting a little longer.

Stanford Reservoir; a quick look here produced a pair of Shelduck, I wonder if it was the pair that bred here last year.  A sign of seasons moving on as we don’t see them until they begin dispersing to possible breeding areas.  Pochard numbers are good at the moment, c200, but only 1 Goldeneye spotted.  A flock c500 lapwing flew over and settled on the adjacent fields, just in this phone photo there is 85 Lapwing.

A Raven was very vocal from the tree tops in the adjacent spinney.  A few Long-tailed tits and a Goldcrest were busy feeding.  A couple of Goldfinch were feeding on seed heads.

21st Jan - light snow until midday then rain

Light snow started about 0800h and continued until 1230h, then rain until dark, 2C, light breeze SE, fresher later.  Wintry all day.

Willey;  I could see birds on the feeder through the snow during the morning, including 8 Magpies squabbling.

After lunch I did have a look at the feeders again. There were 6. Tree Sparrows, at least 4 each Chaffinch and Yellowhammers, a Nuthatch, Collard Dove, a Starling, a Greenfinch, Dunnock, Blackbirds, plus Blue and Great ‘Tis and a good number of House Sparrows.

A few Fieldfare and Redwing flew over and 2 Bullfinch made their way along the church lane before flying off.

20th Jan - rain/snow and cold. 2C

Light rain, later with snow until about 1500h, cold mostly at 1C, light breeze NW.  Definitely a day to be somewhere warm - Barbados?

Shawell; Carl thought he had found a juv Glaucous Gull, but with better views through the rain and snow its plumage was not quite right and was considered a hybrid between a Glaucous and a Herring Gull, which is called a Viking Gull. However, further checking and discussion and sharing of photos with someone in Iceland who has much experience has led to the decision that this is a Glaucous Gull.

Theddingworth; a look here next, fortunately the weather eased and it stopped raining. Blue and Great Tits were on the feeders, a Chaffinch underneigh.  ~100 Fieldfare, ~40 Starlings and ~10 Redwings were feeding on the Sheep pasture.  Two Red Kites flew over, then doubled back slowly circling close together.

19th Jan - Sunny, brisk SW

A lovely sunny day, cloud building late afternoon, brisk SW, 6C - feeling cool

Rutland Water; had a wander here this afternoon, at the peninsular the Brent Goose was still with the Grey Lag and Canada Geese, a Sparrowhawk flew past, c40 Starling on the Sheep pasture and a Jay in the trees, otherwise fairly quiet in this area.

The North Arm and fishponds area had many more birds being sheltered, all the usual ducks, plus Egyptian Geese, Little Egret, 20+ Little Grebe and a Redshank.
On the reserve lagoons the duck numbers seemed low, but 4 female Smew were present, a single Shelduck several Shoveler and Pintail too.  A Stonechat was in the Bull rushes near the centre.  In all I saw about 50 species here today.

18th Jan - sunny am, isolated wintry showers pm

About 0430h this morning we had an hour of very strong gusty wind, peaking about 40 mph, fortunately no damage in these parts.  Sunny morning with showers developing during the afternoon, rain or hail. 7C - cooler in showers, light-fresh at time NW wind.

Willey; John Moore told me he saw a Barn Owl sitting on the roadside fence posts along the Moors lane a couple of nights ago.  Which is interesting as I found a Barn Owl pellet on our patio on Tuesday morning.

On the feed station this morning were the usual birds, including 2 Tree Sparrows, but all in low numbers, except 6 Magpies and 4 Grey Squirrels.  Ab out 50 Fieldfare and 10 Redwings were flying to the trees and pastures.

Stanford Reservoir; a look here from mid-afternoon. A Sparrowhawk flew over the dam.  At the feed station c40 Tree Sparrows and Coal Tit plus the usual Tits.  A Snipe flushed from the field and 2 Lesser Redpoll were feeding on weed seeds.  Two Barn Owls were hunting and two Goosander flew overhead.  A flock of c80 Lapwings were flying over the nearby arable fields.

A small fungus was fruiting, caps about 2 cm diameter.

17th Jan - mostly sunny

Frost last night, today Sunny, light-brisk Westerly, 7C but feeling much cooler.

Visited a agricultural show today near Peterborough, always good for spotting Red Kites along the A14 near Oundle, counted 5 today.

16th Jan - sunny am, cloudy pm

At last some decent sunshine during the morning, cloud forming during the afternoon, some isolated wintry showers around, steady light-mod wind variable SW-NW, feeling cold.

Willey; two Cormants flew over early morning.

Theddingworth; after lunch a look in this area.  A Red Kite flew over being harassed by a Carrion Crow, a Kestrel was hunting along the lane.  Blue, Great and 9 Long-tailed Tits were on the feeders which were joined by a Marsh Tit.  Although it was quiet I could clearly see the white area at the base of the upper bill that is diagnostic for a Marsh Tit.

On the nearby sheep pasture a mixed flock of Starling, Fieldfare and Redwing, c60, c50 and c15 respectively.  A couple of Mistle Thrush and Great-spotted Woodpecker were in the orchard.  A few Chaffinch were around and at least 6 Greenfinch in the trees, some coming to the feeders.  Three Pheasant were running around the fields.

15th Jan - scattered showers

At last a change in the weather, scattered showers, some squally, NW light except in squalls, 9C, cooler in showers.

Stanford Reservoir; passing here on errands allowed me to have a quick look, which was worth it as I spied 3 Pintail, a drake and 2 females.

The usual duck species, 38 Teal was good now the reservoir is full and a single Little Grebe.

Can’t resist a nice rainbow.

14th Jan - cloudy and dull

Cloudy and dull with mist all day, 5C

Given the weather conditions and a change forecast we decided to go on a twitch to see the Penduline Tit near Gloucester before it moved on.

The Penduline Tit was present and easy to spot, very trusting in a very small pond area (Plock Close Wetland NR) feeding on the Bull rush heads.  A Stonechat was present too, which it often seemed to follow around the pond area.

Rounded off by a nice lunch and a pint in a nearby village pub.

13th Jan - cloudy

cloud and mist again, very occasional brighter short spell, light SE, 6C

Willey; a check on the feed station this morning showed it to be pretty busy with the usual birds present including 6 Tree Sparrows, Yellowhammers and Chaffinch, 2 Coal Tit, 6 Collard Doves and now 3 Pheasants.  ~50 Fieldfares and 30 Redwings were flying over at various times.

Misterton; a Cormorant was fishing on the lake, first record for this site.  Surprisingly very quiet with only few passerines about.

Shawell Lagoons; a look here after lunch, however Carl had seen a Juv Glaucous Gull at the landfill during the morning but the Gulls had moved off as filling had ceased.  A small number of the commoner Gulls were present at the Lagoons and 1 Caspian Gull.  Other birds included Long-tailed Tit party and Treecreeper in the hedgerow, a single Goldfinch, a Kestrel a fly-by Red Kite and a Grey Heron searching the waters edge.

12th Jan - another dull day

cloud and mist again, very light SE, 6C.

Brandon marsh; a visit here this afternoon, fairly quiet, but some interesting sights.  Several Goldfinch were feeding in Alder and a single Siskin.  In Horsetail ride a Great-spotted Woodpecker and Nuthatch was heard.  Then a Willow Tit called, which eventually was spotted high up in the tree tops with Blue Tits.

On the East marsh there were plenty of Shoveler, some Gadwall, Teal and Mallard.  Two Great-crested Grebes were asleep on the water.  On the far bank Canada Geese were feeding and immediately behind them a Muntjac Deer was feeding.  There were plenty of Cormorant and 2 Grey Heron around the pool and 22 Lapwing on the island.

Along the main path to the hides a party of Long-tailed Tits were accompanied by a Treecreeper and Nuthatch.  In Albans marsh Cetti's Warbler and Water Rail were heard calling.  19 Stock Doves were sitting in their usual dead trees.

On the far side a Jay was calling and later a Song Thrush was singing.  A Little Egret flew in as the sun set.

11th Jan - cloudy and damp

Another cloudy damp and dull day with mist at times, very light wind at times, 6C.

Willey; during the morning there were several small flocks of Starlings travelling over between fields and a small flock of Fieldfare came over too.

Beeby; while at at farm sale today near this village I spotted 31+ House Sparrows in the garden bushes and feeding on a horse pasture was 18 Blackbirds, all feeding close together, probably more in the bordering hedge as they kept popping in and out of it.  I wonder why so many together as the weather has not been bad for them to feed, but food must have been the attraction.

10th Jan - a sunny day that wasn’t

We were forecast rain clearing before dawn and then a lovely sunny day.  Well the rain cleared about 1000h, the cloud slowly breaking and the sun nearly out, then fog descended to slowly clear during the afternoon to give a reasonable sunset. Very light SW, 6C

Stanford Reservoir; fairly quite, the usual ducks, but seemingly down in number.  A handful of Teal and a Shoveler Pair, about 6 Goldeneye, plus Wigeon, Gadwall and Mallard.  A Long-tailed Tit flock with Blue Tits and a single Goldcrest.  A couple of Bullfinch and ~15 Chaffinch in the leaf litter under the Beeches.  A Barn Owl hunting about 1530h.
There are Catkins out now and new vegetation springing up from the bare ground. A long way before Spring proper but these signs are nice to see.

9th Jan - cloudy, dull and damp - again

Low cloud, mist and occasional fine drizzle, 4C, generally dull, very light wind NE

Willey; this morning around the fields to the east of the village there was 14 Redwings, one Green Woodpecker ‘yaffling’, a Raven flew over and a Woodcock flew up from a ditchside.

8th Jan - Grey and cold

A pretty hard frost last night. Remaining cloudy and cool all day, 2C, light NE, ground remained frozen.

Little to report of note today.  Late morning 2 Ravens flew east along the Long Spinney.  Early afternoon ~15 Fieldfare flew low northward of the fields to the west of the village.

7th Jan -Sunny & Cold

A frost last night -2, ground hard.  At last a sunny day, cold Light NE, 4C.

Willey; a check of the feed station this morning produced most of the regulars, still a max of 6 tree Sparrows. I've 4 Grey Squirrels helping themselves to food now, so some preventative action is needed.

Monks Kirby; next a check on the finch flock on the winter wheat field.  There was about 50 Chaffinch feeding and 1 Brambling.  Also, more Chaffinch, Goldfinch and Greenfinch were widely scattered in the area. A Coal Tit was singing from the lane side trees.

Cottesbrooke;  I ventured, after lunch, here to catch-up with Hawfinch which have been seen here for several days now.  I parked up and walked down Station road to find others near the bus shelter surveying the trees where the Hawfinch had often been reported.  it felt quite cold here and I had forgotten my warm woolly hat, so went back to the car for it. When I turned round I spotted a Hawfinch fly in to a nearby tree, then 2 more appeared.  I quickly walked back to wave the others to come, fortunately the birds showed well and they all had good views, for some their first Hawfinch sighting.  I managed some record digiscoped photos of a male in the tree top.

Also seen included 3 Red Kite, 2 Buzzards, a Sparrowhawk, 2 Nuthatch, a Great-spotted Woodpecker Greenfinch, Chaffinch, Bullfinch and Tit species.