And there will be snow....

Common Gull, Newton Lake

Green-winged Teal at Wigan Flashes - late afternoon through the gloom and the snow!

Teal (Eurasian) at Newton Lake

And his Mrs...

Corn Bunting, Waterworks Lane. Photographed by John Tymon using my camera.

Pair of Bullfinches in the garden

Dunlin, Houghton Green Flash

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Yesterday birding was restricted to what I could see from work (Glazebrook). Early afternoon while on the phone in the car park I was surprised but delighted to watch a Woodcock fly through. Later while in a meeting I watched over 1000 Woodpigeons fly past the window - sorry boss but what was that again?

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This morning I started off with a trip to HGF - as soon as I arrived I spotted a small wader hanging around with the wintering Redshank. It turned out to be a Dunlin - a rare visitor to HGF at any time of year and the first one I have seen here in winter. The Wigeon flock still numbers 68 birds though there were more aythya ducks today - 21 Tufties and 6 Pochard. The Buzzard was perched in its usual tree at the corner of the kennels and a flock of around 35 Linnets flew through. Three Fieldfares were feeding in the south hedge.

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After this I went over to the feeding station. I had put plenty of seed down in mid week - this morning it had attracted 85+ Tree Sparrows. Also present were a Stock Dove, a hen Pheasant, 6 Dunnocks, 2 Robins, a Fieldfare, a Blackbird, 6 Woodies, 40+ Starlings and at least 6 Yellowhammers. Later they were joined by the covey of Grey Partridges, 2 Greenfinches and at least 9 Chaffinches. And then it was spoiled by a black moggy which turned up for breakfast!

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John Tymon then arrived and we sat chatting while the local falconer released and promptly lost his Peregrine hybrid. Seven Corn Buntings perched in the hedge opposite us while 25+ Skylarks buzzed over. I left John to it and headed for home. I called in briefly late afternoon to find the Buzzard perched in the hedge and little else on show.

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Late morning I managed a quick 10 mins at Newton Lake while taking Karen to the hairdressers. The pool is mostly frozen - 46 Teal were present plus the escaped female Harris' Hawk and a single adult Common Gull.

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Late afternoon I took Billy for a walk and decided to head for Wigan Flashes. I thought the Green-winged Teal would probably be long gone - however after a week sitting at a computer or in a car I needed a good walk. It was dark, grey and gloomy and was snowing. There were very few people around and the place had that silent shush feel that snow brings to places. At Horrocks Flash it was largely frozen with the exception being a small pool around one of the islands at the back. Hundreds of water fowl and Coots etc were congregated here. In the gloom I scanned through the Teal twice and failed to spot anything interesting. I then scanned a third time and spotted a roosting bird behind several other Teal which didn't seem to have the yellow borders to the head markings. It was very difficult to tell for certain, however I watched this bird for around 20 minutes and sure enough it finally stood up and moved into the open revealing itself to be a drake Green-winged Teal. Marvellous! I also really enjoyed the walk!

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In the garden today the stars were a pair of Bullfinches on the feeders. 17 Chaffinches, 9 Blackbirds and 24 Collared Doves also visited, however there were no Goldfinches, Greenfinches or any tits on the feeders. A pair of House Sparrows were also very welcome - I am still struggling to find these birds in Winwick - worrying!