24th Feb - frost last night, mostly sunny, 5C, but cold easterly blowing

Willey; at least 10 tree Sparrows on the feeders this morning.  John M spotted a flock of lapwing on the field just east of the old railway track, we've not had any this close for ages, they were once an abundant winter visitor and frequent breeder in the parish.

Brandon Marsh; a visit here after lunch was pleasant, from the Teal hide a jack Snipe and 2 Common Snipe were watched feeding in the reed edge.  Plenty of Teal and Shoveler, Gadwall - some displaying, Shelduck pair, Goosander pair, Wigeon c60, Lapwing 55, Grey Heron, 2 Water Rail, Buzzard and 2 Stock Doves. A Lesser Redpoll was washing in a pool then dried in the sunshine.  The feed station was attracting plenty of Tits, including 1, maybe 2, Marsh Tits, Chaffinch and a Reed Bunting, 2 Nuthatch were in the area.  A Mistle thrush was along the entrance drive.

23rd Feb - frost last night, mostly sunny, 4C, cold light easterly

Shawell Lagoons; I initially had a look at the landfill area but the Iceland and Glaucous Gulls were not showing there, so I thought they may be resting at the Lagoons.  There was plenty of Gulls present but not the white-wingers.
Also present was 206 Lapwing, a single Snipe and Shelduck. A small flock of Wigeon, 4 each of Gadwall and Mallard, 5 each Mute Swans and Canada Geese.

22nd Feb - cloudy until mid-pm, cool easterly light, 5C

No obs today.

21st Feb - cloudy, very light northerly, 7C

Willey;  0730h a Male Pied Wagtail was back on the old pan tile roof singing, waiting for a mate to return from their winter travels.
At. 0800h, John M reported seeing a Barn Owl fly out of an hovel shed across the fields where I recently sited a nest box.  Late morning 2 Grey Wagtails flew over the farmstead areas in the village.

Cotesbach Landfill/quarry; After lunch I went to see what Gulls were around, hoping for white-wingers.  There were several thousand Gulls were present so searching through them was a challenge.  Apart from the Gulls, 6 Red Kite were present flying around the area, sometimes together.

After some scanning through the Gulls I found an adult Iceland Gull sitting on a distant earth bank, unfortunately something flushed them and they all flew up.  Once some had settled down, many leaving, I found another Iceland Gull, a second winter, I managed some record photos of this one.

Soon after I spotted a smart juvenile Glaucous gull, this was closer and I again managed some record photos.

20th Feb - sunny spells, northerly freshening at times, 8C

Willey; a short check along Pen lane to see if the Merlin was around drew a blank, but a Sparrowhawk and female Kestrel were present.  A flock of Fieldfare c80, Starlings and a few Redwings were feeding on a maize stubble field.

Nice to see 10 Tree Sparrows and 5 Yellowhammers with the other regulars at my feed station.

19th Feb - dull, cloudy, light occasional short showers, mild 10C, NW light

Willey; while travelling along Pen lane I flushed a male Merlin off the low lane side hedge, it flew across the field low and settled in the distant Ash tree.  Ideal winter territory - must check another day.

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.