This a.m. with Malcolm and Paul, 2 Greylag Geese over car park early, on res 1 Greater Scaup, 7 Goldeneye and 7 Teal. 18 Meadow Pipit below res, 1 Raven near Crow Trees and a Little Egret on Old Hall field then to the river. Cheers Ian
Simon Johnson said
Sun Mar 18 7:42 PM, 2018
8.20 - 11am
some cold weather movement this morning
627 Fieldfare south/SE 77 Redwing south/se 59 Skylark south 763 Starling SW and 100+ NE 2 Curlew NW 2 Snipe south and 11 NW 20 Meadow Pipit south
3 Snipe feeding in a pond in capsticks field and another in a stream near withins 26 lapwing crow tree farm Pheasant 10 Goldeneye
Roger Halsey said
Sun Mar 18 7:39 PM, 2018
Highlights from a late afternoon visit:
8 Goldeneye.
12 Goosander arrived late on and appeared to roost.
28 Lapwing.
2 Oystercatcher.
Grey Wagtail on stream below Withins.
2 Kestrel over Old Hall Marsh.
Steven Higginbottom said
Sun Mar 18 12:10 PM, 2018
06:00-10:00am mostly with Ian C and partly with Simon J. 1 Greater Scaup female. 7 Goldeneye. 15 Teal. 3 Gadwall. 4 Goosander. 6 Snipe. 8 Common Gull. 1 Great black backed gull. 167+ Fieldfare moving through. 2 Redwing. 23+Skylark over. 1 Buzzard. 2 Kestrels. 1 Over hospital 1 old hall marsh. 2 Sparrowhawks 1 Feeders twice 1 Old hall farm. 1 Goldcrest at feeders. 2 Bullfinch.
Cheers Steven
Simon Johnson said
Sat Mar 17 11:38 AM, 2018
Sand Martin this morning in the snow showers Female Scaup still present 2 Gadwall withins
The flashes along the canal at Crow Trees and Coney Green had a good selection - Redshank 6 Oystercatcher 19 Lapwing 4 Gadwall 8 Teal 190 Fieldfare 600+ Starling Buzzard 23 Meadow Pipit south
2 pair of Oystercatcher, 1 pair of which were displaying and calling before landing on the old MacPhersons site roof.
2 Buzzard, 1 of which was being harassed by a Raven and 2 Carrion Crows.
4 Gadwall in flooded field along the canal.
Mediterranean Gull.
12 Fieldfare.
Lots of Jackdaws collecting nesting material. Also a pair of Mistle Thrush.
Noticed a lot of frog spawn on the canal. Not sure I've ever seen so much before.
Steven Higginbottom said
Fri Mar 16 9:37 AM, 2018
06:30-09:15 highlights. 1 Greater Scaup. F. 6 Gadwall. 9 Goldeneye. 9 Teal. 1 Pochard. 4 Goosander. 2 Oystercatcher. 2 Pheasant. Water Rail heard only. Chiffchaff heard calling only near Monkey bridge.
Cheers Steven.
Ian Campbell said
Thu Mar 15 10:06 AM, 2018
This a.m. in wet conditions, on the res. 1 Greater Scaup, 7 Goldeneye and a Goosander of note. At capsticks 1 Water Rail. 1 Little Egret old hall field. Cheers Ian
Also this morning 4 m 2 f goldeneye Lesser redpoll at least one trilling song flight /display Goldcrest at feeders
Overhead 1 meadow pipit and 3 skylarks
-- Edited by Mike Cooper on Wednesday 14th of March 2018 05:24:38 PM
Paul Wilson said
Wed Mar 14 2:50 PM, 2018
Mooch round this morning 9.30 to 1.30
No sign of Short-eared Owl, or, for that matter the Scaup or BN Grebe. Had to be satisfied with:
1 Kingfisher 3-4 Kestrel 1 Pochard 4-5 Goldeneye 2 Teal 1 Little Egret 2 Oystercatchers Several Lapwing displaying
Met someone in car park called Mike who had never been to Elton, so walked a full circuit giving him a guided tour of the various locations and what to expect at different times of the year. Despite the lack of anything special to see, he seemed impressed with Elton - much more than he expected.
Ian McKerchar said
Wed Mar 14 9:37 AM, 2018
Hopefully, to bring the falcon matter to a conclusion on this thread, here is all we know.
The bird seen on the pump house is the female of a pair and is a Gyr x Saker cross. Both birds escaped from a site in south Manchester during the recent hard weather and have been at large since, the male having been located in Chester and recently recaptured but unfortunately died due to being so malnourished. The female was reported again from another location yesterday evening.
A local falconer has been notified by the relevant authorities and is actively attempting to recapture the bird but any further information should be passed onto the IBR whose telephone numbers can be found within Richard Thew's post.
Thanks to everyone for their concern and for providing information.
James Walsh said
Wed Mar 14 8:49 AM, 2018
Short-eared Owl Capsticks Marsh at 8:30am also female Greater Scaup & drake Pochard
Jonathan Platt said
Wed Mar 14 8:22 AM, 2018
Richard Thew wrote:
Just to note; in my experience, the falcon in question to me is obviously owned by someone. I've only just seen this post now and has the classic shaped overgrowth beak that happens after years of feeding soft meat. But be warned! - I've not checked yet myself but it's just as HIGHLY likely to be a hybrid as a pure breed as falcons are regularly mixed to create best of two birds (as an example - perigrine x gyrfalcon gives the obedience and impressive use of a gyr with a peregrine edge.) I've also seen in my previous job that not all birds have been properly kept to "legal status" and some do end up escaping. If the owner has flown the bird when it disappeared - usually jesses are sometimes removed by the minority fearing the bird will get snagged on trees etc, so this isn't a reliable indicator. The bird could also have come from miles away which won't help matters. It maybe best to report the find to the I.B.R. on 01617905613, although there is little that can be done without the ring number! This is all the information I can give at this time. Ta!
IBR already know about the bird, apparently it's one of a pair that went missing the other week so possibly escaped from an aviary rather than birds that were being flown? Does anyone know when the pics were taken? Sorry for taking the thread away from birding, please PM me if anyone knows.
Richard Thew said
Wed Mar 14 7:56 AM, 2018
Just to note; in my experience, the falcon in question to me is obviously owned by someone. I've only just seen this post now and has the classic shaped overgrowth beak that happens after years of feeding soft meat. But be warned! - I've not checked yet myself but it's just as HIGHLY likely to be a hybrid as a pure breed as falcons are regularly mixed to create best of two birds (as an example - perigrine x gyrfalcon gives the obedience and impressive use of a gyr with a peregrine edge.) I've also seen in my previous job that not all birds have been properly kept to "legal status" and some do end up escaping. If the owner has flown the bird when it disappeared - usually jesses are sometimes removed by the minority fearing the bird will get snagged on trees etc, so this isn't a reliable indicator. The bird could also have come from miles away which won't help matters. It maybe best to report the find to the I.B.R. on 01617905613, although there is little that can be done without the ring number! This is all the information I can give at this time. Ta!
A S Ball said
Tue Mar 13 11:16 PM, 2018
I did not see any straps(jesses) on the raptor, only yellow talons. 2 more photos attached with talons in view.
Nearly all the photos I can find show pale legs - A S Ball's pic shows some bright yellow, perhaps jesses. And the fact that it's tame, well ...
A S Ball said
Tue Mar 13 7:09 PM, 2018
I was walking along the reservoir embankment between 14.30 and 15.30. The raptor was on the pumphouse for over 30 minutes, regardless of people and dogs walking past, and being dived on by gulls and crows.
Ian Campbell said
Tue Mar 13 6:56 PM, 2018
When today was all this happening please
Rob Creek said
Tue Mar 13 6:15 PM, 2018
A S Ball wrote:
This is the same bird of prey that was sat on the pumphouse for 30 mins, being swooped on by crows and gulls but not moving.
It eventually flew off going towards the canal being chased by a carrion crow.
I think it may be a juvenile pale buzzard. It had yellow talons, yellow lore, black eye and dark grey curved beak.
Hi Allan, however you look at this bird in those few images, it's a Falcon. The birds jizz and general structure tell you it's a Falcon and not a Buzzard which would be classed as a Hawk. It certainly looks like a Gyrfalcon from the images, the only other species it could be at a push is a pale morph Saker but note from the images it looks quite large on the pumphouse. These birds are MAJESTIC, especially in this plumage (because there is a wide range) jessie's or not!
Steven Higginbottom said
Tue Mar 13 5:43 PM, 2018
Walk around after work. 1 Black neck grebe record shot attached. 2 Little Grebes. 1 Greater Scaup female. 1 Pochard drake. 2 Teal. 8 Goldeneye.
What appears to be a white morph Gyr Falcon was present today, sat on the pumphpouse and allowing close approach! Very unlikely to be a wild bird (no information as to whether the bird had jessies or not just yet) but an impressive looking beast nevertheless.
This a.m. with Malcolm, of note were 1 Black-necked Grebe, 1 Greater Scaup and 10 Goldeneye on the res. 1 Water rail at capsticks and 1 Little Egret in Old Hall field. Cheers Ian
Paul Wilkins said
Sun Mar 11 3:37 PM, 2018
On the water
Scaup (female) Tufted Duck c. 20 Canada Goose (lots) Great Crested Grebe c. 6 Coot (uncounted) Mallard (ditto) Pochard (drake) Goldeneye c. 12 Black-headed Gull (uncounted) Teal 2 Moorhen 6 Greylag Goose 1 Cormorant (flying over) Common Gull Mute Swan 3 Black-necked Grebe Mediterranean Gull 2
Fringes
Robin Lapwing 3 Dunnock Wren Carrion Crow Magpie Wood Pigeon Great Tit Pied Wagtail 2 Starling Fieldfare
First Sand Martin this morning picked up by Steve H .. it was harassed by black-headed Gulls and flew off high south
Steven Higginbottom said
Sun Mar 11 7:24 AM, 2018
06:30-10:30am highlights of 54 species seen.
1 Sand Martin. Flew over the res at 8:15am.
1 Black necked grebe.
1 Little Grebe.
1 Greater Scaup f.
12 Goldeneye.
1 Pochard m.
1 Goosander m.
1 Little Egret
1 Curlew.
1 Oystercatcher.
1 Water Rail along canal flushed by a mink.
4 Pheasant.
3 Kestrels.
1 Buzzard.
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker.
Cheers Steven
-- Edited by Steven Higginbottom on Sunday 11th of March 2018 10:53:15 AM
Steven Higginbottom said
Sat Mar 10 4:59 PM, 2018
15:00-16:50pm 1 Black neck grebe in front of the sailing club record shot attached. 1 Drake Pochard. 1 Female Greater Scaup. 10 Goldeneye. 3 Goosander.
2 and half hours produced the following highlights. ...
Stonechat male on Old hall marsh with reed buntings, also meadow pipit over, little egret, teal, goldeneye, goosander, scaup, and the black necked grebe which showed exceptionally well for me around wader point.
Ta!
-- Edited by Richard Thew on Saturday 10th of March 2018 08:09:53 PM
Black-necked Grebe still present at 10.15 a.m. Cheers Ian
Simon Johnson said
Sat Mar 10 10:20 AM, 2018
Early morning
Black-necked Grebe - winter plumage 12 Goldeneye Scaup - female still present 12 Gadwall on the floods 25 Teal 2 Little Egret - Elton Goyt 3 Snipe 20+ Lapwing 48 Fieldfare 8 Redwing 4 Skylark
Martin Loftus said
Fri Mar 9 5:45 PM, 2018
2,05pm:
Adult Iceland gull was already on the res, then flew off 5 mins later, I stayed till 4,30pm with Ian & Steve and it never returned.
also of note x1 Buzzard, Curlew (heard), rock pipit flew over as me and Steve were walking back to the car park.
Ian Campbell said
Fri Mar 9 9:37 AM, 2018
This a.m. 1 Greater Scaup, 1 Wigeon, 10 Goldeneye on the res. 2 Rook over and 13 Skylark all heading NE. Cheers Ian
Steven Higginbottom said
Thu Mar 8 6:10 PM, 2018
Afternoon visit 13:10-16:15pm Walk around Res only. 1 Adult Iceland Gull dropped in about 15:30pm stayed for about 5 minute having a was. 3Great Black Backed Gulls. 9 Common Gulls. 1 Greater Scaup. 8 Goldeneye. 4 Teal. 1 Little Egret. 1 Sparrowhawk. 1 Male Siskin at Feeders.
More Robins and dunnocks about with 2 and 3 ringed respectively
Retrap pied treecreeper
Curlew 1 over to West may have dropped into cap sticks area
Ian Campbell said
Wed Mar 7 11:23 AM, 2018
This am with Malcolm, on the res. 1 Greater Scaup, 10 Goldeneye, 1 Pochard and 6 Teal of note. Above the surrounding fields at least 5 singing Skylark and 3 Oystercatcher. Pair of Great Spotted Woodpecker in the dip(male was drumming). At the feeders 5 Lesser Redpoll. 1 Little Egret in Old Hall field. Cheers Ian
Derek Richardson said
Tue Mar 6 9:49 PM, 2018
8.45am - 11.00am. Cool, cloudy, still. 5c.
33 Species spotted, including:
1 Greater Scaup. 3 Lesser Black Backed Gull. 1 Kingfisher. (on Irwell). 1 Little Egret.(Below pump 1 Skylark. 3 Song Thrush. 3 Bullfinch.3M. 3 Wren.
Thanks Derek.
Martin Loftus said
Tue Mar 6 3:56 PM, 2018
3.30pm, adult Iceland gull came in briefly for a wash then flew off north, shortly followed by an adult Mediterranean gull, that stayed for a bit longer then flew off south east..
-- Edited by Martin Loftus on Tuesday 6th of March 2018 05:39:55 PM
This a.m. with Malcolm, 2 very tame Dunlin near viewing mound, on the res. 1 Greater Scaup, 8 Goldeneye, 3 Teal and 1 Goosander of note. At the feeders 1 Lesser Redpoll amongst the usuals. 1 Little Egret in Old Hall fields. Also 6 Skylark heading NE, 1 Oystercatcher and 20+Lapwing in display over the fields. Cheers Ian
Steven Heywood said
Mon Mar 5 6:16 PM, 2018
Notables from a walk around this lunchtime:
Just the one lesser redpoll on the feeders
Eight wigeon flew in from Withins
Two little egrets by Old Hall Farm
A flock of twelve lapwings flying over included one ruff
Ian Campbell said
Mon Mar 5 12:16 PM, 2018
This a.m. with Malcolm, of note Scaup still present and 2 Little Egret in Old Hall Marsh. Cheers Ian
Rob Creek said
Sun Mar 4 10:42 PM, 2018
Mike Cooper wrote:
Simon the weather was around freezing with low winds in the morning with a few light flurries all nets were constantly checked in a circuit and birds ringed quickly all were healthy in hand and flew off strongly. I stopped at 11:15 when winds (chill factor) increased and snow started. The birds safety and health is my and any ringers priority.
This was a small window this week when ringing would be possible.
If you have any further questions please PM me
Hi Mike, no disrespect but I must admit I also thought the very same thing about ringing birds in this weather, and especially at a feeding station when the birds were obviously hungry during one of the worst winter blasts in years! Thursday was a particularly bad weather day with a 16 vehicle accident that morning in Bury on the M66, and many people were stranded for nearly 24hrs literally a few miles away on the M62, and I even cancelled a drive down to Cornwall and I'm not usually put off by adverse weather. My apologies if you think I'm in the wrong but I wouldn't have thought it was best practice to trap small birds in subzero temperatures.
Richard Thew said
Sun Mar 4 2:42 PM, 2018
A short walkabout for 2 hours highlights included....
2 little egrets on Old Hall Farm area Pochard Scaup at wader point Goosander Lapwings Oystercatcher Common gull
Cheers Ian
some cold weather movement this morning
627 Fieldfare south/SE
77 Redwing south/se
59 Skylark south
763 Starling SW and 100+ NE
2 Curlew NW
2 Snipe south and 11 NW
20 Meadow Pipit south
3 Snipe feeding in a pond in capsticks field and another in a stream near withins
26 lapwing crow tree farm
Pheasant
10 Goldeneye
Highlights from a late afternoon visit:
8 Goldeneye.
12 Goosander arrived late on and appeared to roost.
28 Lapwing.
2 Oystercatcher.
Grey Wagtail on stream below Withins.
2 Kestrel over Old Hall Marsh.
1 Greater Scaup female.
7 Goldeneye.
15 Teal.
3 Gadwall.
4 Goosander.
6 Snipe.
8 Common Gull.
1 Great black backed gull.
167+ Fieldfare moving through.
2 Redwing.
23+Skylark over.
1 Buzzard.
2 Kestrels. 1 Over hospital 1 old hall marsh.
2 Sparrowhawks 1 Feeders twice 1 Old hall farm.
1 Goldcrest at feeders.
2 Bullfinch.
Cheers Steven
Female Scaup still present
2 Gadwall withins
The flashes along the canal at Crow Trees and Coney Green had a good selection -
Redshank
6 Oystercatcher
19 Lapwing
4 Gadwall
8 Teal
190 Fieldfare
600+ Starling
Buzzard
23 Meadow Pipit south
30 species spotted including:
1 Kestrel.
5 Reed Bunting.
2 Gadwall.
7 Lesser Black backed Gull.
1 Pochard.
1 Jay.
7 Pied Wagtail.
6 Great Crested Grebe.
Thanks Derek.
This afternoon -
2 pair of Oystercatcher, 1 pair of which were displaying and calling before landing on the old MacPhersons site roof.
2 Buzzard, 1 of which was being harassed by a Raven and 2 Carrion Crows.
4 Gadwall in flooded field along the canal.
Mediterranean Gull.
12 Fieldfare.
Lots of Jackdaws collecting nesting material. Also a pair of Mistle Thrush.
Noticed a lot of frog spawn on the canal. Not sure I've ever seen so much before.
1 Greater Scaup. F.
6 Gadwall.
9 Goldeneye.
9 Teal.
1 Pochard.
4 Goosander.
2 Oystercatcher.
2 Pheasant.
Water Rail heard only.
Chiffchaff heard calling only near Monkey bridge.
Cheers Steven.
Cheers Ian
34 Species spotted, Including:
2 Goldeneye.
2 Grey Wagtail.
1 Pochard.
1 Kestrel.
2 Song Thrush.
1 Greater Scaup.
2 Bullfinch. 1M 1F.
3 Lapwing.
1 Skylark.
Thanks Derek.
4 m 2 f goldeneye
Lesser redpoll at least one trilling song flight /display
Goldcrest at feeders
Overhead 1 meadow pipit and 3 skylarks
-- Edited by Mike Cooper on Wednesday 14th of March 2018 05:24:38 PM
Mooch round this morning 9.30 to 1.30
No sign of Short-eared Owl, or, for that matter the Scaup or BN Grebe. Had to be satisfied with:
1 Kingfisher
3-4 Kestrel
1 Pochard
4-5 Goldeneye
2 Teal
1 Little Egret
2 Oystercatchers
Several Lapwing displaying
Met someone in car park called Mike who had never been to Elton, so walked a full circuit giving him a guided tour of the various locations and what to expect at different times of the year. Despite the lack of anything special to see, he seemed impressed with Elton - much more than he expected.
Hopefully, to bring the falcon matter to a conclusion on this thread, here is all we know.
The bird seen on the pump house is the female of a pair and is a Gyr x Saker cross. Both birds escaped from a site in south Manchester during the recent hard weather and have been at large since, the male having been located in Chester and recently recaptured but unfortunately died due to being so malnourished. The female was reported again from another location yesterday evening.
A local falconer has been notified by the relevant authorities and is actively attempting to recapture the bird but any further information should be passed onto the IBR whose telephone numbers can be found within Richard Thew's post.
Thanks to everyone for their concern and for providing information.
IBR already know about the bird, apparently it's one of a pair that went missing the other week so possibly escaped from an aviary rather than birds that were being flown? Does anyone know when the pics were taken? Sorry for taking the thread away from birding, please PM me if anyone knows.
I did not see any straps(jesses) on the raptor, only yellow talons. 2 more photos attached with talons in view.
I was walking along the reservoir embankment between 14.30 and 15.30. The raptor was on the pumphouse for over 30 minutes, regardless of people and dogs walking past, and being dived on by gulls and crows.
Hi Allan,
however you look at this bird in those few images, it's a Falcon. The birds jizz and general structure tell you it's a Falcon and not a Buzzard which would be classed as a Hawk. It certainly looks like a Gyrfalcon from the images, the only other species it could be at a push is a pale morph Saker but note from the images it looks quite large on the pumphouse.
These birds are MAJESTIC, especially in this plumage (because there is a wide range) jessie's or not!
1 Black neck grebe record shot attached.
2 Little Grebes.
1 Greater Scaup female.
1 Pochard drake.
2 Teal.
8 Goldeneye.
Cheers Steven.
This is the same bird of prey that was sat on the pumphouse for 30 mins, being swooped on by crows and gulls but not moving.
It eventually flew off going towards the canal being chased by a carrion crow.
I think it may be a juvenile pale buzzard. It had yellow talons, yellow lore, black eye and dark grey curved beak.
What appears to be a white morph Gyr Falcon was present today, sat on the pumphpouse and allowing close approach! Very unlikely to be a wild bird (no information as to whether the bird had jessies or not just yet) but an impressive looking beast nevertheless.
This afternoon -
2 Whooper Swans
Cheers Ian
Scaup (female)
Tufted Duck c. 20
Canada Goose (lots)
Great Crested Grebe c. 6
Coot (uncounted)
Mallard (ditto)
Pochard (drake)
Goldeneye c. 12
Black-headed Gull (uncounted)
Teal 2
Moorhen 6
Greylag Goose 1
Cormorant (flying over)
Common Gull
Mute Swan 3
Black-necked Grebe
Mediterranean Gull 2
Fringes
Robin
Lapwing 3
Dunnock
Wren
Carrion Crow
Magpie
Wood Pigeon
Great Tit
Pied Wagtail 2
Starling
Fieldfare
Feeders
Goldfinch 20+
Greenfinch 2
Long-tailed Tit 4
Blue Tit 3
Chaffinch 2
Reed Bunting 1
Goldcrest 1
-- Edited by Steven Higginbottom on Sunday 11th of March 2018 10:53:15 AM
1 Black neck grebe in front of the sailing club record shot attached.
1 Drake Pochard.
1 Female Greater Scaup.
10 Goldeneye.
3 Goosander.
Cheers Steven
-- Edited by Richard Thew on Saturday 10th of March 2018 08:09:53 PM
Cheers Ian
Black-necked Grebe - winter plumage
12 Goldeneye
Scaup - female still present
12 Gadwall on the floods
25 Teal
2 Little Egret - Elton Goyt
3 Snipe
20+ Lapwing
48 Fieldfare
8 Redwing
4 Skylark
2,05pm:
Adult Iceland gull was already on the res, then flew off 5 mins later, I stayed till 4,30pm with Ian & Steve and it never returned.
also of note x1 Buzzard, Curlew (heard), rock pipit flew over as me and Steve were walking back to the car park.
Cheers Ian
1 Adult Iceland Gull dropped in about 15:30pm stayed for about 5 minute having a was.
3Great Black Backed Gulls.
9 Common Gulls.
1 Greater Scaup.
8 Goldeneye.
4 Teal.
1 Little Egret.
1 Sparrowhawk.
1 Male Siskin at Feeders.
Cheers Steven.
1 Greater Scaup.
10 Goldeneye.
1 Graylag Goose circled then flew West.
Cheers Steven.
1 Iceland Gull dropped in briefly record shot attached.
90+ Lesser Black backed Gull
1 Mediterranean Gull
110+ Herring Gulls.
2 Common Gulls.
6 Goldeneye.
3 Oystercatcher.
Cheers Steven
More Robins and dunnocks about with 2 and 3 ringed respectively
Retrap pied treecreeper
Curlew 1 over to West may have dropped into cap sticks area
Cheers Ian
33 Species spotted, including:
1 Greater Scaup.
3 Lesser Black Backed Gull.
1 Kingfisher. (on Irwell).
1 Little Egret.(Below pump
1 Skylark.
3 Song Thrush.
3 Bullfinch.3M.
3 Wren.
Thanks Derek.
3.30pm, adult Iceland gull came in briefly for a wash then flew off north, shortly followed by an adult Mediterranean gull, that stayed for a bit longer then flew off south east..
-- Edited by Martin Loftus on Tuesday 6th of March 2018 05:39:55 PM
Cheers Ian
Notables from a walk around this lunchtime:
Cheers Ian
Hi Mike,
no disrespect but I must admit I also thought the very same thing about ringing birds in this weather, and especially at a feeding station when the birds were obviously hungry during one of the worst winter blasts in years! Thursday was a particularly bad weather day with a 16 vehicle accident that morning in Bury on the M66, and many people were stranded for nearly 24hrs literally a few miles away on the M62, and I even cancelled a drive down to Cornwall and I'm not usually put off by adverse weather.
My apologies if you think I'm in the wrong but I wouldn't have thought it was best practice to trap small birds in subzero temperatures.
2 little egrets on Old Hall Farm area
Pochard
Scaup at wader point
Goosander
Lapwings
Oystercatcher
Common gull
Ta!