30th Dec - cloudy, some occasional light drizzle, mod SW, 14C

Shawell Sandpit/landfill; am.  Lots of Gulls over the landfill and in the sandpit, nothing new spotted.  A few Lapwings were present, but these get pushed out by the Gulls.  Waterfowl included an Egyptian Goose, a Shelduck, 10 Wigeon, 25 Shoveler, a drake Pochard with several Tufted Ducks, 100+ Teal.

Last year (2020) was the first time I recorded Egyptian Goose at the sandpit - on six occasions, this year I've seen them on 60 occasions.  So, they seen to be settling in to this part of the Midlands, maybe a nest next year?  Ravens were very active, I counted 30, and no doubt a few more out of view.  Six Red Kites around the site. 

Harborough Magna; a check on the sunflower field.  Still the finch flock, c200 Linnets, c30 Bramblings, c30 Chaffinch, also Greenfinches, Yellowhammers and Starlings in tree tops.

Lilbourne Wet Meadows; these are now quite flooded and should produce some good birds. c120 Wigeon, a few Teal and Mallards today.  The hedges/trees  held a good number of Redwings, Fieldfares, Starlings and c12 Goldfinches.