A quick lunch time check of Shelf Moor trailer park field today found a dismal 9 Lapwing and around 50 Starling with no sign of Snipe which should now be coming out into the open from the juncus field and moving around as a flock .
November 2013 was amazing with the Lapwing flock increasing through the month to a count of 278 with 15 short staying Golden Plover mixed in with them.
A peak of 38 Snipe could be seen regular away from the secrecy of the juncus field where they fed and preened out in the open field.
Habitat conditions and weather are unchanged this year but so far the birds are not appearing.
Another grey day in the village today with the now normal heavy rain and fog late afternoon and throughout the evening.
Lunchtime found several Redwing moving around the outskirts of Foxhill park probably trying to find fruit bearing trees with are a bit thin on the ground in this area.
Well spotted to DJS today for finding a drake Wigeon on Ogden. See photo on Calderbirds,
BS