18th Feb - Mostly cloudy, light S, 8C

Eyebrook reservoir; I made a trip here for the afternoon.  There was 1000+ Lapwings and 5 Golden Plover with them one the adjacent fields, and a good sized flock of Starling. On a distant field a Linnet flock, c100, was feeding, other 'small birds too but not identifiable from my views, probably Skylark and meadow pipits.
A Red Kite was overhead

On the reservoir the highlight was 3 Smew, 2 drakes and 1 female.   Duck numbers seemed low, although plenty of Teal and Goldeneye.

At the inlet bridge feed station 2 Marsh Tits were busy feeding.  At the gate feed station there were 15+ Tree Sparrows, 4 Yellowhammers and several Chaffinch.

Sometimes Stonechat winter here but one hasn't been seen for awhile so I checked the area A nice male flew up and perched briefly before disappearing. While watching the shore line a Water Rail appeared out of the reeds, I tried for a photo but it was very quick and distant, so not well resolved.