Freezing

We were freezing our bits off down the valley at Calcutt long before sunrise enjoying views of Jupiter and its four moons, the polar cap of Venus, a meteorite, Orion and Sirus with the company of a Fox, 2 Tawny Owls and hundreds of winter thrushes leaving their roost. The space shed passed over on time giving very prolonged views.

The conditions had pushed the Snipe out on to the remaining exposed mud at Napton Reservoir as the water levels rise again with a record count of 56. Other sightings included a white Rabbit, 2 Water Rail, mega numbers of thrushes, 4 Wigeon, 10 Mute Swan, 3 Raven and 3000+ Starling leaving there nearby roost on a broad front.

With time to kill before breakfast we took a look at the Baseley Tree Sparrows with 8 on the feeders and 50+ around the brick barn along with 70 Yellowhammer and many finches.

After breakfast Wormleighton Reservoir had 10 Tree Sparrow and single Marsh Tit but a noticeable lack of finches and Yellowhammer. The hedgerows along the railway line were full of winter thrushes but the reservoir was void of birds.