We first headed down the old railway line, spotting a Nuthatch and several Long-tailed Tits along the embankment between the two bridges, but then only one of us managed to pick up a Treecreeper. There’s not much water about now, but there must have been over 100 Teal pottering about in what was left, several Shoveler, some Wigeon, four Lapwing in a little group and I picked up one sleeping Pintail in the scope. We went through the metal gate, and as we stood contemplating we noticed a small bird hopping around on the edge of the pond – a splendid Grey Wagtail.  Near Stretham we saw a fellow birder who had seen a Curlew – which may have been the brown wader we had noticed briefly on the levels earlier, but which couldn’t be refund.

Along the riverbank it was eerily quiet, apart from a group of 11 Meadow Pipits, singles of both Stonechat & Reed Bunting by the pit. A group of Redwings were seen here too, and a female Kestrel on a distant wire.  A flock of 30 Starlings and a Pied Wagtail were also seen at New Inn. Coming back along the Hollands Lane bridleway was a little bit noisier, several Great Tits were singing, a flock of 30 Goldfinches were in a field to the south, then there was another larger flock of Redwings with some Fieldfares mixed in, and about 120 Woodpigeons.

A quick tot up gave me 43 different species. Thanks to all for the spotting! (VB)