14th November- cloudy and chilly first thing, rain from mid-morning until late afternoon, but warmer, 12C, brisk SW

Decided to chance going to Draycote reservoir in the afternoon rain to catch up with the Great Northern Diver which have been there a couple of day - I did not find it.  Apart from nearly loosing my hat in to the reservoir birding was wet and windy.  The water level was very low, down to the base of the dam, which may be why few waterfowl were about.

Several Goldeneye were present, only one Goosander and Gadwall were spotted.  Plenty of Great Crested And Little Grebes were near the dam, along which were Pied Wagtails, one Grey Wagtail, two Meadow Pipit and four Grey Herons.

13th November - Cloud and rain to start with blustery West wind, brightening to sunny periods later, cooler feel, 9C

Busy today helping with the follow-up cattle TB test, thankfully all past.

This morning small numbers of Redwing, Fieldfare and Starlings were flying around the fields to the east of the village.

After lunch I filled up my feed station, then waited at a distance to see what happened along.  Very soon at least 6 Great, two Blue and two Coal Tits were feeding, followed by several House Sparrows, three Greenfinch and two Chaffinch.  Two hen Pheasant turned up and a male Great-spotted Woodpecker flew in.   Two Magpies were generally messing about before several Jackdaws flew in and took over the ground spillage.

Two Mistle Thrush were in the area, several Redwing were feeding on the Yew berries and at least six Blackbirds were present. Overhead a Carrion Crow persistently hassled a Buzzard, seeing it off, a second Buzzard came along a little later and was left alone by the local crows.

12th November - Sunny morning, clouding over for the afternoon, wind S/SW then W moderate with gusts, 14C

Popped back to local lake to see if the 'Yellow Cow Pat Toadstool' was still fruiting, and several were, so this time I managed a photo

Visited Brandon marsh during the afternoon to see what was about.  On arrival ~30 Fieldfare flew over the entrance and a handful of Redwing were in the bushes.  Arriving at Teal Pool a Heron was stalking the edge of the reeds and 25 Teal were feeding in the shallow water.

More duck were on the east marsh pool, many Shoveler, one Pochard, several Gadwall, more Teal and Mallard.  Best of all, a drake Pintail was present, I managed some record photos.  The Pintail breeds in northern Europe in to Russia, unfortunately its numbers have dropped significantly in recent years.

There were quite a few other birds to be seen, including a Kingfisher that zipped past over the pool and two Water Rail were 'squealing' in the reeds only a few yards away.

At this time of year Brandon is host to a Starling roost, so I decided to stay and wait for them to arrive, performing their pre-roost flight gathering, we call a murmuration.  Eventually they began to arrive and some 3000-4000 gave great 'murmurations' before settling in to the reed bed to roost.

11th November - Cloudy, moderate SW/W, sometimes gusty, mild 15C

As I was passing nearby Frolesworth, I popped in to the lake there, which can turn-up some interesting sightings.  A single Great Crested Grebe was on the lake with some tufted Duck and Coots, also about 20 Black-headed Gulls.  One of these gulls was completely white with jet black wing primaries, a small black circular head spot, bright red legs and bill, very noticeable and unlike a typical B-H Gull.  There were only a few finches about, four Reed Buntings and several Skylarks on the adjacent stubble field.

I noticed one Ladybird out today, so not all hibernating yet.  Definitely more Redwing feeding on the church Yew tree berries today.  A Great Spotted Woodpecker and Nuthatch were at the feed station.

During the afternoon I had a walk at the local reservoir, duck numbers were generally down today, only ~15 Wigeon and 16 Gadwall, 50 Pochard and 70 Tufted Duck present, the Teal and Shoveler were absent, nine Goldeneye were still there and three drake Red-crested Pochard.  Mute Swans numbered ~30 and 100 Grey Lag Geese were as noisy as ever.

Around the reservoir and neighbouring fields there were at least 200 Fieldfare and 40 Redwing feeding on the berries and stubble, also, many Rook, Jackdaw and Carrion Crow.  A Buzzard and Kestrel were flying around, generally being harassed by the crows.

While walking along the path I noticed a Hare feeding, so I decided to stalk and get a photo, as I slowly got closer a second hare popped through the hedge some 20 feet in front of me, I manage photos of the first and second Hare.

A little further along the path were some further interesting Fungi, yet to formally identify.

10th November - A much calmer and dry day, though cloudy, 15C

Helping to TB test cattle and other jobs today, so little to report.

9th November - cloudy very dull, spits of rain pm, blusterly, strong gusts later, SW wind, 14C

So far not too much about due to the weather.  The flock of about 15 Goldfinch was flying around mid morning.

Decided to have a look around the Church cemetery for fungi, found quite a few, some examples follow. The first was under the large Yew tree. many fallen berries were around it, which is probably a result of the really mild weather and low number of winter Thrushes here to eat them.  The remainder of fungi were all in grassy areas.

8th November - Another grey cloudy, day with occasional rain, mod gust SW/S wind, 15C

A look around the local lake produced a couple of (Lesser) Redpoll and a single Siskin and nine  Goldfinch were feeding.  A Song Thrush was having a go a singing and a Wren gave two bursts of song.  Six, or more, Bullfinch were feeding in the bushes and a Long-tailed Tit flock moved through.
A flock of 50+ Fieldfare and some Redwings were feeding on berries on the neibouring hedge, others were flying around.  A single Buzzard flew over calling.
An interesting small 'lemon yellow' capped, white stalked toadstool was spotted, hopefully it will be around for a photo and to confirm its identity.  It looks like it is the, wonderfully named, 'Yellow Cow Pat Toadstool.

During mid-afternoon a flock of 50+ Fieldfare flew east over the village.  Eight Collared Dove, a Great-spotted Woodpecker and Grey Wagtail were also present.