Thursday 24th January 2013

58 species seen today, not a bad total given the snow and ice gripping the area.

Hardwick Hall CP Lake - (about 70% frozen) - 16 Wigeon, 3 Pochard, 1 Goldeneye plus various numbers of Mute Swan, Mallard, Gadwall, Tufted Duck, Coot, Gull's etc. Nuthatch in the park grounds and a single Skylark over south.

Loads of small birds were giving very close views along the boardwalk including four Robin's.

One of two ice-free areas of Hardwick Hall Lake.

Low Hardwick - 1male Sparrowhawk, 1 Woodcock, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Mistle Thrush, Redwing, Treecreeper, 2 Tree Sparrow, 25 Lesser Redpoll, 7 Bullfinch, 2 Corn Bunting.

 

One of the very active flock of Lesser Redpoll near the Moto-X Pools.

One of these male Bullfinch was singing today.

Bridlepath to Fishburn Lake - 1 Common Buzzard, 1 Meadow Pipit, 3 Fieldfare, 8 Long-tailed Tit and a Willow Tit.

This Meadow Pipit was a surprise, feeding around a partially snow-free area.

Alan's Pool - 3 Grey Heron, 17 Moorhen and 2 Hare.

The three Heron were playing statue's near Alan's Pool.

Castle Lake (75% frozen) - 1f Goldeneye, 1 Little Grebe, 26 Snipe, 10 Redshank, 2 Great Black-backed Gull (an adult and a 1st-winter), 20 Corn Bunting plus the usual Mallard, Gadwall, Tufted Duck, Wigeon, Teal, Pochard, Coot etc.

Some of the Corn Bunting near the Island Farm seed-crop, some sub-song heard.

Snipe feeding in the field between Castle Lake and Town End Farm.