Early February

Some of the 30 Bewick Swans wintering on Walland Marsh still present on the 2nd Feb

Part of a huge flock of at least 392 Russian White-fronted Geese that have taken up residence on the Lydd Fields/Dengemarsh area.

The White-fronts and Greylags photographed from my little balcony

Lapwings hunkered down in the Lydd Fields as the snow fell, also taken from my balcony 

Some of the 100+ flock of Stock Doves in the Lydd Fields

Mute Swan over the garden

The Glossy Ibis still around Boulderwall today despite the cold weather

Dunlin on the Hayfields today

The partially frozen Hay Fields attracted a small flock of Dunlin, a Water Pipit, c20 Common Snipe, also a frustrating close bobbing Jack Snipe that CT spotted that was mainly obscured  by a line of reeds, no matter where we should we could not get a clear view of it because of the swaying reeds, hence no image.

All the birds were flushed by a Peregrine that glided over the field, putting up a party of 4 Jack Snipe that I was slow getting onto and disappeared into Christmas Dell. There were several each of Fieldfare and Redwing there, a Missile Thrush at Hookers but still no Smew, Goosander or scarce Grebes.

Marsh Harrier by the entrance track today

The 9 Ruff that have been wintering around Boulderwall

A dead young Badger on the reserve, no outward signs of trauma, so may have succumbed to the weather and starvation.