SUNDAY 4th January - Jon Lloyd

A sort of mixed day with temperature rising - more like an early spring day and plenty of activity from birds generally. The garden feeders were busy with Coal Tits and Greenfinches and the Table with Blackbirds Chaffinch and a party of Long Tailed Tits.

The Wall was busy to day perhaps a last visit or two for those with the prospect of returning to work after taking holday at Christmas. Ed Wilson dropped in during the morning and Tony, Steve and myself went for the late session.

The warm weather had certainly brought the Teal back in number and Ed had the flock down as 350. There were plenty of Mallard dropping in late afternoon but we couldnt spot the 2 Wigeon that ed had seen earlier.

A group of 5 Heron were roosting out int he open field to the left and a flock of 120 Lapwing sat in the winter wheat field.and near to the fence bordering the wetland. Later on they took flight when a buzzard floated past and treated us to quite a mesmerizing display as they wheeled and dived around the pools changing direction and flashing white black as they did so.

A Barn Owl came past the hide hunting on the banks of the Strine in front of us and few minutes returned in the opposite direction. It really is quite spectacular seeing birds of this caliber more or less on the end of your nose!!

Not much else around, Reed Bunting calling somewhere, small groups of Chaffinch in the distant hedge and a lone Mute Swan that dropped in then took off and disappeared almost as suddenly. Didnt find the the Little Owl Ed had seen earlier until the drive home. Ed had also picked Cormorant and Kingfisher.

Also seen today: 70 Lapwing, 25 Black headed Gull, Cormorant, Buzzard, Kestrel, Collared Dove.

Tuesday 6th

Pair of Wigeon, 4 Mute Swan, Sparrowhawk, Moorhen, Mallard, Greenfinch, Blue Tit

Wednesday 7th Merlin watched taking prey.

Thursday 8th

Friday 9th

Saturday 10th