Med Gull, Smew and Waxwings

The roost was slow to clear at Draycote Water this morning and an impressive 400+ Greater Black-backed Gulls along with 2 adult Yellow-legged and adult winter Med Gull from farborough bank were still present at 8am. The male Smew found yesterday by Francoise was also off farborough bank but flighty but little else seen as we walked to toft shallows apart from female Goosander. Back at the car park a female Brambling was with the Chaffinch flock.

Wolston Waxwings by Helen Scarsbrook

The higher ground between Shugborough and Marton had received some snow in the night and it was over half an inch thick around the Long Itchington area when we called in for breakfast then it was off to Wolston for the Waxwings. At least 13 of the 15 that had been seen yesterday were still feeding in trees around the Wolston Lane/Kelseys Avenue area off Warwick Road occasionally flying off towards the opposite side of road or the nearby Manor Estate road before returning. Did not bother recording at Brandon it was so dire and the same went for Lawford Heath. The Lawford Heath Lane finch flock was still present but we were looking directly in to the sun so only i.d. one Brambling and a few Tree Sparrow.

distant Smew pic by Francoise yesterday