9th Dec - flat medium cloud, light SSW, 6C

Willey;  about 0830h there was a lot of noise coming from Ash tree, it was full of Starlings, as seen in the photo, maybe as many as 500.

After lunch I checked my feed station area, about 30 House Sparrows and a single Tree Sparrow again.  Newcomers were three hen Pheasants.  The Coal Tit and two Great Spotted Woodpeckers again.  A Stock Dove flew off from the ground, then two Collard Doves visited the feeders.

Redwings were feasting on the Holly berries and two Mistle Thrushes were eating Sloes on the Blackthorn hedgerow.

8th Dec -frost last night -2C, a few sunny spells today, light SW, cold 5C

Stanford Hall; a look over the parkland and lake area after lunch, 183 Canada Geese and some Greylag Geese feeding on the grass land. A Great Egret flew in.

Stanford reservoir; the four Black-necked grebes were busy feeding on a submerged weed patch among several Duck species, some distant photos taken.  Three Goldeneye (1 drake).  Otherwise nothing else too notable.

Starling roost; the roost ism now much small, maybe 5000.  A Sparrowhawk was hunting in the area.

7th Dec - Ground frost last night. Mist/Fog till midday, cloudy, dull, very light W, cold, 2C

Cotesbach landfill; a look early afternoon.  Plenty of Gulls, I did see a colour ringed Herring Gull, but was not sure what it read.  

The 'Nordic jackdaw' was present, feeding with Western Jackdaws.  51 Teal counted, 6 Shoveler and a female Wigeon.  A single Cormorant was sitting on an islet.

Shawell lagoons;  The notable sighting here was the mixed group of Snipe and Teal.  I could count 18 Teal, so if added to those in the Landfill sandpit (51) that makes a total of 69 in the area.

I counted 21 Snipe on the edge of the reeds and flying along the the edge in to the reeds, there are more in the reeds for sure.  Despite the murky conditions I took a record photo.

6th Dec - cloudy, misty, sunny spells pm, almost still, 5C

Shawell lagoons; this morning a look here, it was misty but just clear enough to see over the water to the reeds where 11 Snipe were sitting out.  289 Lapwings were resting along the shore.  Ducks included Wigeon, Teal and Tufted.

Cotesbach Landfill; next a look here, but visibility was really poor.  A Red Kite could be heard and two Ravens but not seen. 

Eyebrook Reservoir; this afternoon I visited here in the hope of seeing the White-fronted Geese which have been around a few days.  However, they seem to have moved off and could not be found on water or surrounding fields, fingers crossed they will be back.  While searching for these Geese I did find a Pink-footed Goose with some greylags on the field near the 'island'. 

On the reservoir a drake and 'redheaded' Smew was found.  Plenty of the other usual ducks, including a few Pintails.  150+ Lapwings on the water side and small flocks of Golden Plovers were flying around.

Two Stonechats were along the edge near the 'island' and c50 Linnets were feeding in a nearby field.

No W-F Geese but a lovely afternoon with the later, low, sunshine showing the countryside colours well.

5th Dec - cloudy am, sunny spells pm, light E, 6C

Willey; a check of my feed station brought a nice surprise of the first winter Tree Sparrow record.  Otherwise, all the regulars were present too.

Cotesbach Landfill; this morning two Green Sandpipers, 61 Teal, 14 Red Kites were notable.

Stanford Hall; a look here after lunch. Among the Canada and Greylag Geese on the parkland was a Barnacle, often found with them at Stanford reservoir these past couple of weeks.  Six Gadwall could be seen on the lake.

Stanford reservoir; a Grey Wagtail was on the dam, the four Black-neck Grebes were still present, in the middle of the water busily feeding.  A couple of Kingfisher were zooming about - no doubt struggle to find food in the murky waters after the recent rains.  Two Stonechats near the lodge.

Under the Beeches and game cover c50 Chaffinch and a female Brambling.

At least four Goldeneye, Wigeon, a single Teal, Gadwall, Tufted and Mallard plus a Little Grebe.

4th Dec - cloudy, rain from mid-day, 4C, cold light WSW

 No obs today.

3rd Dec - cloudy, steady rain all day, light southerly, 5C.. 8mm by 1600h

Willey; I only managed to check my feed station area for a short while today.  Many Blue and Great Tits attending today in the rain, a Coal Tit too.  House Sparrows and a couple of Chaffinch. Male and female Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Collard Doves, a Magpie.  Redwings and Fieldfare nearby in the trees, a Mistle Thrush visited the Church Yew tree.