Friday January 13th

A bright day, although breezy, and a covering of snow after a night with temperatures around zero. Perhaps there will be some movements as a result.

Alvecote
Warks: I forgot to include that the two Barnacles were still in with Canadas on Monday 9th (Bob Duckhouse). Today, a Stonechat was near Railway Pool and it has been around for a week (Roy Smith).

Coton Lakes
A surprising find today was a second-winter Glaucous Gull, which was found by Alan Dean at 1509hrs, allowing me to get there in good light before it left with other Gulls. Fortunately it returned after 45 mins and was still present at dusk along with adult Mediterranean Gull, 268 Lesseer Black-backs, 114 Herring, 66 Common Gulls and two adult Yellow-legged Gulls.
Alan has commented that "although the eye appears dark, there is a small pink area at the extreme tip of the bill, while 'freckling' on the upperparts is uneven. These features, together with very creamy appearance in January, indicate a second-winter bird."

The Glauc by Alan Dean

This bird is the first at the Coton roost since two individuals in January 2011 and there was a bird at Fisher's Mill around the same time. After almost writing off this winter's Gull roost in Tuesday's Blog, we were very pleased to see this bird and will continue to do it with renewed enthusiasm in November/December.

Hams Hall
Two 'Siberian' Chiffchaffs were along the river today; the ringed bird was at the outfall and the other was still behind the Wincanton building. The snow and fall in temperatures resulted in 18 Common Chiffchaffs being between the outfall and the Ladywalk double gates. A Firecrest is now overdue (John Harris).

Ladywalk NR
The Redpoll sp on the 4th has not been seen again but an image of a bird elsewhere from Graham Catley on Twitter, and reproduced below is apparently a very good likeness (per Pete Sofley).

Middleton RSPB
Warks: Our man did the Egret roost and saw a Great White Egret and 34 Little Egrets at the Hall heronry (Steven Pick).

Wishaw: Golden Plover make a welcome return for Carl Hiles who estimated 297 amongst winter wheat at Wishaw Lane this morning.