January 24th 2010 Updated

Dave and I trawled the lanes of the Grandborough Valley early this morning but only heard 3 Tawny Owls including one very close at Grandborough Fields Farm. After a thirty minute wait the arrival of Dave L encouraged the Great Grey Shrike to perform well spending long periods on the wires and making the occasional flights including a spell of hovering in front of us. Unfortunately the Linnet flock has moved on so very little else to see though 4 male Goosander dropping in to one of the streams near Woolscott was notable.
Next on the agenda was the pond but even at 9am the place was heaving so the three of us scoped for 45 minutes from the windsurfing area finding the female Common Scoter, 3 male Shoveler, male Smew and one Great-northern Diver before clearing off a.s.a.p.
Rookery Hall Farm was quiet due to farming activity but a search of the trees in the garden showed at least 7 Corn Bunting present, also a few Yellowhammer and a couple of Buzzards nearby.
Final destination was Brandon Marsh which had some footpaths underwater so had to make do with poor views of the Green-winged Teal looking in to the sun. Snipe, Kingfisher and 3 Buzzard noted
Patch news - Church Lawford Bewick’s Swan still present, Great White Egret returned to the swift valley, Marsh Tit at Cathiron and a Little Egret was seen along the Avon valley last week.

Holding another of my walks at the pond on Thursday 28th January. Meet at visitors centre 11am.

Richard