Just three of us, Suzy, Angela & myself, did the monthly stroll around this morning.  Quite hard going in places because the paths along the river and through the fields were quite uneven, but the dips were hidden by the patches of snow.  Suzy was delighted that she had seen Water Rail and Barn Owl in the area recently.

House Sparrows in bushes by Braziers kicked off the walk, and a good range of common species were collected along first section, including 3 Jays.  Across the fields we could see Snipe flying up and down, over 100 Teal in the small areas of water – the sun was lighting up their green wing patches (speculums) which looked gorgeous.  There were 3 Pintail, a few Wigeon and Shoveler and one Canada Goose.  The rest of the Canadas were grazing in one of the higher fields south of Rye Farm. Three Lapwing were looking a little bemused on the ice, then another 3 flew in to join them. A pair of Egyptian Geese were near the heronry, and Fieldfares and Redwings in the bushes along the railway line.

Along the river we were a little frustrated because some small ducks in the water kept only giving glimpses before disappearing out of sight.  A cry of joy came from Suzy who spotted the flash of a Kingfisher, but Angela and I weren’t quick enough to catch it.  On the overflow pit were a couple of Mute Swans having a preen.  When one got up it had to tread very carefully to avoid slipping over.  In a sheep field by New Inn were another lot of Snipe – about 30.  Looking into the light so photo not good, but we enjoyed watching them for a while.

The causeway is just about passable in wellies now so we walked back past Frogshole, finding a single Stock Dove among Jackdaws and Woodpigeons in another field of sheep, and a few more Lapwings and Teal over towards Buckwish Farm.  In the pools along the track was a Pied Wagtail, another Snipe and I reckon 7 Chiffchaffs flitting around. A Goldcrest called from the other side and a Nuthatch just as I got back to Hollands Lane.

Excellent walk, and many thanks to Suzy for the addition of Kingfisher to the list of 44 species! (VB)