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.