Brambling, Treecreeper (2), Nuthatch, Water Rail (H), Goosander, Kingfisher, Long-tailed Tits
Cold, calm and clear. Quite a heavy frost.
Had a good walk round in pleasant though rather chilly conditions. The sun was in my eyes as I walked up Rakewood road, but turning into the reserve area I stopped to look at a party of Long-tailed tits and then shortly after, heard a Water Rail calling from somewhere on the reserve. A couple of minutes later I met Simon who thought he'd heard a Chiffchaff but we couldn't relocate it. A Goldcrest fed in the Silver Birches on the reserve and a pair of Bullfinch were flitting about. A kestrel flew over and as we scanned the reserve Simon spotted the Kingfisher perched in the tree in front of the hide. It dived in the water and then perched on a small branch on the spit and then we moved on. A pair of Goosander and around 3 or 4 Teal were on the open water on the reserve. We parted company and I worked my way round to the Pavilion wood where a few birds seemed to be moving. I was watching Goldfinches and hoping for a Redwing when I put the bins on a bird in the top of the highest tree, and it turned out to be a Brambling! I thought about moving closer but before I could, it flew with a party of 6 or 8 finches overhead; whether they were all Brambling I don't know - it's possible. Spurred on by this, I continued checking out the small birds and was delighted to find a Treecreeper which I was able to get on film. I heard a Great Spotted Woodpecker but frustratingly couldn't locate it. No winter thrushes but did manage to get Wren and Dunnock for the year list.
I decided to go back via the reserve rather than walk around the Lake, and met Simon again who'd seen Green Sand at Clegg Hall Pools. I walked up the field to Bear Hill and back down the track where I found a Nuthatch and yet another Treecreeper!
That was about it then - lots of people about and I worked my way back home.