Utch 0825-1025.

Hey up folks, the arctic conditions must be taking a heavy toll on our bird life at the moment. It's certainly cleared out the quarry. Last weekend there was nearly two hundred Eurasian Wigeon on site, today there was just four!

Apart from a small area of open water no bigger than a large garden pond, all three pits are frozen solid.

The 1st winter drake Scaup was still present this mornin' on the garden pond among the Mallards.

Greater Scaup, 1st winter male

Goosander 1

Eurasian Wigeon 4

Eurasian Teal 3

Mallard 30

Common Gull 2

BHG 7

Lapwing c300, almost all lying flat on the ice trying to conserve valuable energy

Common Snipe 2




On the way back home i called in at Hales Hall Pool a local hot spot, and good for Water Rail in these conditions. Again the water was almost completely frozen apart from a small area where the feeder stream comes in. No joy with the rails but i did manage a skein of c150 Pinkies flying over the town heading n/nw. There's been a movement of Pinkies again today through the area, several flocks have been seen over nearby Alton and the potteries.


Weather permitting' i'll be at Kingswood again in the mornin' for another look at the fine selection of Caspo's on offer.

Have a good un.