Monday 9th February 2015

A gloriously sunny morning with barely a breath of wind which made for some very pleasant birding conditions, however ice still prevailed with all open water mostly frozen.

A picturesque and completely frozen Fishburn Lake.

Sightings today from John Olley and myself.

Castle Lake - 10 Shelduck, 6 Pintail, 2 Grey Partridge, 2 Little Egret, 2 Oystercatcher, a small influx of 10+ Skylark including a few singing.

Alan's Pool area - 1 Grey Heron, 1 Grey Partridge, 9 Meadow Pipit, 2 Skylark and a Hare.

Fishburn Lake/Carr Wood - 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Woodcock, a male Great Spotted Woodpecker drumming right next to a female, 1 Song Thrush, 2 Goldcrest, 5 Long-tailed Tit, 1 Marsh Tit (identified by call, my first around here after nearly eight years of birding the area), 1 Coal Tit and a Bullfinch singing.

Low Hardwick - 1 Grey Heron and 5 Common Buzzard up together.

Low Hardwick looking towards the moto-x.

A1 Flashes - 2 Common Buzzard over high.

Stoneybeck Lake/Farnless Farm - 2 Shelduck, 5 Gadwall, 18 Teal, 1 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, 12 Curlew and 1 Great Black-backed Gull.

Elsewhere today - the first new born Lamb's!