January 9th

07:35-09:35 Cloudy and calm. Two Chiffchaffs were calling from the trees by the flooded car park. A flock of 17 Greylag Geese came in from the west and settled on the east flood where Tufted Duck numbers had risen to 44. A female Gadwall was with Mallard on the west scrape. A Redwing was feeding with Blackbirds in the paddock and a Fieldfare was seen in the trees behinnd the cottages. Another brief visit in the gloom of the afternoon produced the Long-billed Dowitcher feeding energetically in the creek, a Greenshank which dropped onto the east flood and a fine male Sparrowhawk on the ground by the edge of the east flood.

January 1st

Murray Wright, Richard Roberts and Philip Goacher spent the whole of New Year’s Day on site and, despite rain for much of the day, amassed a total of 73 species to which Rob Stokes was able to add Knot. The adult Long-billed Dowitcher was seen in the creek and in the SE corner of the east flood. Otherwise it was much as expected. There were six Ruff and two Lesser Redpolls, but perhaps the surprise of the day was a pair of Bullfinches; a species not seen here last year!

December

The only addition to the year list this month was a Jack Snipe on 1st which brought the total for the year to 170 species (two more than last year). Bittern and Spoonbill were also seen that day. The drake Green-winged Teal, though elusive at times, was seen on many dates up to at least 29th with two reported on 7th and 23rd. The adult Long-billed Dowitcher was present throughout the month with the juvenile also seen on 14th. Other birds reported during the month included two drake Goosanders on 2nd, a ringtail Hen Harrier on 3rd and an adult male on 22nd, a Little Stint on 3rd, a Water Pipit on 22nd and a Brambling on 16th.
Geoff Burton