Friday 13th

Houghton Green Flash photographed from the south bank

HGF earlier this week when the pool was 90% frozen

The rising sun lighting up the north bank - the sun also illuminates the Wigeon flock. Gorgeous.

The kennels and the "lawn" in the south field. I don't know why this area of short grass has been created, however it is popular with many birds. Herons and Buzzards can often be seen just standing on the grass while up to 12 Song Thrushes have been seen feeding together here.

The Oak trees by the gate in the south hedge. This is a prime congreation spot for the Linnet flock of late.

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This morning the ice had melted. It was a mild morning with the rising sun lighting everything up a nice golden colour. The first thing of note was the Skylarks in the field south of the pool flitting around and singing. The males have been engaged in song flights over the last few days. Last week a flock of 20 Skylarks was flying around this field. A few Meadow Pipits (Mipits) were also present while the Linnet flock began assembling on the wires near the kennels - around 20 birds were present when I left. There was no sign of the recent flock of 250+ Lapwings.

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On the pool some of ther aythya ducks had returned after being driven away by the ice. 10 Tufted Ducks and 11 Pochard were back. A female Ruddy Duck was tagging along with the Tufty group and 83 Wigeon were scattered all over the pool. The Coot flock is down to 46.

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The covey of 4 Grey Partridges visited the garden this afternoon for the fourth time this week. Nine Goldfinches were also lined up for the feeders this morning. On Waterworks Lnae 15 Yellowhammers and 5 Tree Sparrows were at the feeding station with 3 Reed Buntings. Hardly any Chaffinches and no Bramblings were seen - a male Song Thrush was singing nr the treatment works.

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At lunch I managed to escape to New Moss Wood for half an hour. It was generally very quiet though it was nice to get out and walk round in the mild weather. After hearing nothing but singing Robins things started to pick up briefly on a section of path I call Bullfinch alley. I have never failed to pick up Bullfinches here and true to form one started calling. 2 Goldcrests scurried about in a bush by the path and a Great Spotted Woodpecker began calling. 2 Willow Tits flew across the path into a tall tree and a third Goldcrest appeared further down the path. After that it went quiet again apart from a Jay flying across the access road.

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On the way home there was no sign of the Golden Plovers but 80+ Fieldfares were in a field at the edge of Glazebrook village.