Sunday December 3

Cloudy and mild with a few sunny intervals by late morning.

We are now entering my least favourite birding month, and today's visit was entirely typical. Very few noteworthy birds and poor light affecting my chances of getting any decent photos.

On a positive note, Redpoll numbers remain pretty decent, with about 28 on view this morning. At least 15 Siskins were prising the seeds from alders along the stream at the western edge of the site.

Siskin

The milder weather had encouraged many winter gnats into the air, and as a consequence several Blue Tits and Chaffinches were fly-catching from the treetops. Marsh Tits were more obvious than they usually are, four being seen. A few large gulls flew over during the morning, all but one of them Herring Gulls, but still only six in total.

The flash field was very quiet, just 10 Teal, 20 Mallard, and two Grey Herons. The farmer has finally put his cows out to graze, so it will be interesting to see if that has any impact on the habitat.

The bird of the day was probably a Sparrowhawk which made a brief appearance at Netherstead.