A misty drizzly start to the morning then dry with full cloud on a light NE>3 at 5 degrees with fog on the tops.
Mission impossible this morning along the west bank waterside trees with a working party on there along with 3 groups of walkers so the Chaffinch/Brambling flock were unable to feed on their favourite section of Beech nut covered track. The Chaffinch were spread separately in the trees with at least 3 female and one male Brambling but all very mobile and hidden in the thick foliage. A small tit flock had 3 Goldcrest and a Nuthatch mixed in with them.
The majority of action was in the air with a heavy move >W of Redwing, Fieldfare, Mistle Thrushes, Blackbirds and Woodpigeons, the majority being Fieldfares. Several Blackbirds were in the berry bushes which, going by the numbers and black bills were continentals, though these are hard to split from 1st year male residents once their speckled breasts have moulted. A surprise to see a Song Thrush in a berry tree at this time of year.
Around 100 mixed gulls and 2 Cormorant but no wildfowl present other than the usual Wigeon and Mallards, though I didn't do a full circuit.
has been confirmed by MC as a drake Pintail with a female Pintail behind it. I kept looking at the front
bird for Pintail but with the poor photo I could'nt be sure so didn't stick my neck out. Thanks again Mick, better get my eye cataracts done like you just have!
Another day of the same with a foggy/misty start and drizzle, courtesy of the north easterly bringing the murk over from the North sea. Otherwise, cloudy sunshine with a low risk of showers on a light NE at 6 degrees.
BS