17th January - cloudy, dullish, light SW, 7C

Nene Washes

I spent some time here today, it is a brilliant place to visit, so much to see.  The Washes are currently flooded so that brings a different perspective to the area.

Of course all the usual ducks were present, and a good size flock of Black-tailed Godwits and Lapwings.  A single Marsh Harrier and Red Kite were seen.  

Along the bank from the car park five Stonechats were busy feeding. A Kestrel was hunting, often coming down and pulling out a work to eat.

Of course key species to see here are Owls, and I was fortunate to see Long-eared, Short-eared and Tawny Owl today.

    

The Whooper Swans were mostly out feeding on the fields, along the A605 I cam across several, small groups, plus a flock of 86, then a field full c400, busy feeding - but no Bewicks with them.  A small flock of Pink-footed Geese, c30, was also in one field plus five Roe Deer.

16th January - toch of frost. Fog clearing slowing during the morning. Cloudy, light S, 6C

Willey;

A Woodcock disturbed in the Long Spinney, opposite Perkins fields this morning.

Soar Brook Lake; morning

A few Common, Lesser Black-backed and Black-headed Gulls, four Tufted, six Teal, three Wigeon and a couple of Mute Swans.

Lilbourne Meadows; afternoon.

c200 Wigeon, three Shovelers, female Sparrowhawk, c15 Redwings and single Fieldfare. c15 Starlings feeding on Sheep pasture.

Male and female Stonechats were  moving around feeding.

15th January - light SW, 10XC. Misty until mid-morning then sunny.

Willey;

Checked some areas of the Long Spinney for resting Woodcock first thing.  I didn't find any but I did spot a 'hot' small mammal, which was quite inquisitive and allowing good views to confirm it to be a Weasel.

Disturbed a wintering Peacock butterfly in the log heap, but returned it safely.

Mid-afternoon - Paddock feed station

Four Stock Doves, a Raven over east, c30 Redwings over south, two Mallard heading for the local field pond.  Other wise just the usual.

14th January - light SW, 8C, cloudy

WIlley;

No obs today, other than time to notice 5 Long-tailed Tits at the feed station, first ones seen there this winter.

12th January  - Woodcock - Mere Lane

I checked my thermal camera for Woodcock pictures I had taken, here's some screen grabs from video.

As mentioned, I could not see it with the naked eye, and was happy to leave it there undisturbed.

13th January - A little frost last night. Cloudy, mod SW, 5C. Slow thaw still

Willey; morning

On the feed station, five House Sparrows, two Greenfinch, three Chaffinch, two Collared Doves, three Robin, Blue and Great Tits.

Stanford reservoir; afternoon.

Still mostly frozen over, Keepers bay about 50% frozen over.

Great White Egret and two Grey Herons standing in arable field near inlet.

Two drake Goosanders, plenty Gadwall, Teal and Mallards, plus five Shoveler, Tufted and Pochard.  A Little Grebe in Keepers bay.

Many Greylag Geese, I counted 340, with other out of view so c400. plus Chanda Geese.

I checked the waterside bushes with the thermal camera, but no Woodcock found today, they have been seen here before though.

12th January - cloudy, 5C, light S. Some thawing.

WeBs counts today, most waters counted were 90% frozen over

Soar Brook Lake Area

Lesser Black Backed 150, Great Black Backed 20, Herring, 50 Herring, 5 Common and 150 Black Headed Gulls.

Wigeon 3, Mallard 15, Mute 2, 7 Lapwing, Teal 6, Moorhen 6 and Coot 7.

A Buzzard, a few Redwings and Fieldfares round.

Mere Lane Lake

A few Coots and Moorhens, Little Grebe and Mute Swans.  

Checking the coppice with the Thermal camera I could clearly see a Woodcock sitting in the leaf litter, but not with the naked eye.  A couple of Ravens over.

Stanford Hall Lake area.

c100 Wigeon, three Tufted, six Goosanders, 27 Mallards, a Little Egret, one Shoveler and 15 Teal.

Buzzard and Red Kite, a Treecreeper and Redwing.

Draycote Water; afternoon.

The Red-throated Diver is still present and showed well.  Three Shelducks.

11th January - Frost last night -6C. Foggy/misty all day, vis often only 100-200m. 0C, still

Willey:

Got a few short clips of the Barn Owl last night.

Magna Park Lake; morning

I thought I would check some of the wood/bush area with the thermal camera for Woodcock, and the very first bird I found was a Woodcock, however, I didn't find any further ones.

Stanford Res; afternoon.

Very poor visibility, what very little I could see showed the water to be frozen over. I checked areas with the thermal camera for Woodcock but no success.  Nit much around at all.