18th Nov - sunny, light-mod easterly, 9C

Stanford reservoir; a visit principally hoping to find the Hen Harrier and Sort-eared Owls, again a failure on both counts, nor were the Red-crested Pochards seen.  Of course plenty of the expected winter birds, 4 Little Grebes,c20 Teals, 10+ Goldeneye and c35 Shoveler today. Less Redwing and Fieldfare than in recent days.  A couple of Bullfinch in the thicket, several Reed Buntings on the fallow field.

A late (old female) Common Darter was making the by most of the warmth and sunshine resting in a sheltered spot.