Winter Passage

A north-west passage of Lesser Black-backed Gull was evident this morning with small numbers over the Pit Tip throughout the morning, including groups of eight and four birds, and several singles. At Leen Pastures two Willow Tit were at the Feeding Station, a large Goldfinch flock of around 200 birds was at the north pasture with at least 40 Siskin. A male Yellowhammer was on a hedgerow in Broad Valley.

Return of the Golden Plover

Thirteen Common Pheasant in Woodside Liveries - ten of the eleven males were the melanistic type. A small flock of Fieldfare with a single Redwing flew south down Lamin's Lane towards the Woodland. The main highlight of the morning was a flock of 57 Golden Plover. Several Lapwing were also around Top Woods Ground.

Chasing the Winter

A small flock of 40 Siskin were around the east side of lake being chased by a Sparrowhawk, with a few Redwing and six Common Snipe also present. A Kingfisher flew south past the end of the Peninsula, and three Common Gull were in Broad Valley Paddocks.

No Shoveler

No Shoveler seen at all this morning. A single Kingfisher was flying over the lake, and finches were down to 30 Siskin with the odd Lesser Redpoll by the Dipping Ponds. Three male Pheasant were in Spinney Field, and a Grey Heron flew over it. There was a Mistle Thrush at the Triangle and Goldcrest were heard in the yews there too.

Two Shoveler

A pair of Shoveler were near the bank around Willow Carr, and three male Goosander flew over low to the south down the Leen. Two Little Grebe and three Great Crested Grebe were on the lake with two Cormorant high over south-west. Good-sized finch flocks at the lakes contained 100 Goldfinch, 70 Siskin, and just ten Lesser Redpoll, with a Sparrowhawk hunting through them. Another Sparrowhawk was hunting the flock of Redwing near Khalsa Wood. A Grey Wagtail flew over Leen Pastures towards Mill Lakes.

One Shoveler

At Mill Lakes at least one male Shoveler was at the southern end of the lake with seven Pochard. Fifteen Lesser Redpoll were in alders at the entrance to the Dipping Ponds, and the young juvenile Great Crested Grebe from the second brood was with one of its parents. At least twenty Common Snipe were showing on Mud Island, and a Grey Wagtail went over the Peninsula.

Two Remainder One

At least one Red-crested Pochard remains at the south end of the lake. A male Grey Wagtail flew downstream at the wooden footbridge and landed on a bit of piping in the water and then fed, picking off flies from above the water. At least one Willow Tit was seen whilst filling up the feeders at Leen Pastures Feeding Station.