February 1st 2008

Early morning walk to Sainsbury's in bright sunshine with a chilly wind produced Goldcrest, Coal tit, 4 Siskin calling as they went over Montague Road and a large female Sparrowhawk beating up the local Starlings.
On my return it was domestic bliss ironing and keeping an eye on the feeders. House Sparrow and Carrion Crow made it on to the garden year list otherwise apart from four Collared Dove pretty quiet.
Coffee and Cake with Dave at pond then a walk in strong winds to rainbow where we managed views of the Great-northern Diver along draycote bank and an early arriving adult Yellow-legged Gull. Arranged to meet John Judge to do roost but just as things were looking up the wind increased and the sleet/snow moved in and we experienced a complete white out. Did not look as if it was going to stop so we struggled back to JJs car seeing only a calling Green Woodpecker.
Of interest the weather station at Church Lawford 5 miles north west of draycote recorded average wind speeds of 28mph this afternoon with a gust of 52mph. Tomorrow the wind should decrease and though very cold with wind chill it should be good for the roost. So be there.


Great-northern Diver by Bob Hazell

Richard