Sunday 25th January

So another week is over and the end of January is now in sight. There's not been much to report this week: mid week the icy conditions meant that there wasn't much around on the floods though thankfully we're back in a warmer and wetter weather phase now and it's impressive how quickly the birds return. There have been a few year ticks to report: Steve Goddard added MARSH TIT (a hard bird to find on the Patch) and Chiffchaff both from his garden and Tom Evans also saw a Chiffie in the Trap Grounds as well as hearing a couple of WATER RAILS in the reedbed there.

The gull roost has been a bit hit and miss of late though Liam Langley found a nice adult YELLOW-LEGGED GULL a few nights ago. Perhaps we'll finally get some white-winged action some time soon.

Norman and Mary Gregory are getting some nice birds in their garden including several Stock Doves and Reed Buntings

For those who are interested, the current wish list of birds that we might reasonably expect before the spring migrants arrive is now down to the following:  Kestrel, Nuthatch, Pheasant, Lesser Redpoll, Ruff, Siskin, Sparrowhawk, Little Egret and Jack Snipe.