Great Spotted Woodpecker, Kestrel, Snipe, c.150 Fieldfares.
Had a good walk around this morning in a stiff NE breeze with occasional bright early morning sunshine. First interesting bird was a Great Spotted Woodpecker perched high in the top of a conifer, calling, near the gate and stream. A party of around 50 Fieldfares flew in a similar direction to yesterday but were lost to view towards Ealees Valley. A few small birds flitted but nothing much except a Long-tailed Tit or two, and a few Redwings in the big hedge. I suddenly noticed a Kestrel perched in good view on a branch at the big hedge and managed to get it on film before someone walked past and it flew. On the reserve there were plenty of Teal, and again 5 Snipe on the stony island. Four or five Tufted ducks were about, as were a similar number of Great Crested Grebes.
I walked through to Bib Knowl and at the top of the hill noticed a larger party of Fieldfares, maybe 100 or so, which flew up the valley and landed briefly in trees near the Pavilion wood. In the valley were 5 male and 3 female Pheasants, apparently sheltering behind some bushes from the strong breeze. Shaw Moss held little except for a few Teal.