1. Walks after work didn't produce anything new but it was good to see that the Waxwing was still in Gibbet Lane and was joined by a second bird on Wednesday 8th.

   

           Waxwing in Gibbet Lane



















Saturday was a surprise with snow falling as I left the house.
Down at the lake,I found a Water Rail under the feeders, which I photographed from a distance, through the heavy snow.

The feeders were busy with plenty of tits and goldfinches attending including the usual Marsh Tit. Two Reed Buntings were in the reeds in the south west corner and a Grey Heron was on the stream.

In Kirkins there was flock of Meadow Pipits which numbered around fifty.Inevitably a Waxwing was seen in Gibbet Lane but it appeared to be a different individual.

The feeders in the garden were alive with birds with lots of Goldfinches and six Greenfinches which included five males plus Chaffinches and House Sparrows.The cold weather had also bought in a Pied Wagtail.

Today was cold with a little drizzle and the lake held a Great Crested Grebe,Mandarin,Mallard and Moorhen.A kingfisher was on the Shirrenden side and the Water Rail appeared briefly by the feeders.

A flock of Siskins flew over me on the farm track and four Bullfinches were on the Shirrenden side.

Undoubtedly the highlight was a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker that called and drummed before flying towards Furnace Lane.

The Waxwing was seen on the way home and a Marsh Tit was in Furnace Lane.