Wednesday January 25th

Kingsbury WP
Due to unforseen circumstances my Duck Count (WEBS) was delayed until today. Numbers of water birds have fallen quickly though there has been some disturbance with chainsawing of trees continuing across the park. Main species were Canada Goose 145, Coot 297 (439), Mallard 92, Teal 33, Wigeon 74 (133), Shoveler 42, Gadwall 39 (194), Tufted Duck 145, Goldeneye 10, Little Egret 3 & Lapwing 41. The figures in brackets show the species where numbers have fallen the most since the last count on December 19th.

In the Logbook at Cliffe Pool there is a note of a Marsh Harrier for three out of the last four days at around 1530 hrs. It was apparently hunting over the islands for Snipe etc. Needless to say it didn't arrive again for me. I have seen a Hen Harrier (once) and numerous Sparrowhawks here attempting this modus operandi with the latter species being remarkably adept at stalling a slow flappy harrier-like flight.

Ladywalk NR
Some late news: The Bittern and at least one Siberian Chiffchaff present but no further details.

Further down the Tame there are some of those Waxwings. At Castle Vale there are still 50 at the junction of Farnborough Road and Blenheim Way.