February 8th 2009

Although it was -4 this morning it felt warmer than yesterday and as Dave drove round the valley we managed to find 5 Foxes and 3 Hares easily picked out against a white background and a very obliging Barn Owl flew past us close at Grandborough Fields Farm. A quick brew by the green barn just outside Grandborough village then a walk north to the set a side field where there was plenty of activity- you could hear them before seeing them with:- 300 Linnet, 200 Chaffinch 20 Meadow Pipit, 15 Tree Sparrow, 8 Brambling, 6 Reed Bunting, 4 Yellowhammer and single Corn Bunting and Lesser Redpoll. Just after Dave had suggest this would be a good time to see a Merlin a brightly marked male came in at lightening speed and took a Linnet long before the flock realized what was happening. Also seen was a probable Twite which proved to be very frustrating as the flock was constantly mobile – landing on the weed stems before dropping out of sight or dashing for cover in the nearby hedge and only seen for a Millie seconds at a time.
Standing still for over an hour meant we were in need of warmth and food but as Draycote Water was shut for the third day running we settled for a nearby Little Chef. Presume the reason for Draycote’s closure is the icy conditions of the car park in the country park so worth phoning them tomorrow if you are thinking of going to save a wasted journey as more bad weather may prevent it opening.
Brandon Marsh was open though there was not much about away from the small ice free pool on east marsh and no sign of the Bitterns that had been seen in the week. Nuthatch, 2 Shelduck, 4 snipe, 142 Shoveler and 19 Gadwall were the best on offer and our 6th Fox of the day from carlton hide.
Lawford Heath had Buzzard, 7 Golden Plover and 300 Starling but the finches were feeding in an area we could not check properly.
As Trog doesn't use the car park we went to pond for the roost via Cycling Route 41 and had just seen a male Red-breasted Merganser and Great-northern Diver when it started snowing and it was still going strong as dusk fell and saw nought of roost as it disappeared in to the gloom and a nightmare getting home.
There has been a very pale buzzard in the valley which we saw on Friday and thought it's paleness was exaggerated by the reflection of the snow and did not give us the impression of being anything else other than a Common Buzzard. Today some observes believe it to be a Rough-legged Buzzard - if its possible, I will check it again.

Have completed me Gambian blog Jan 28th

Richard