22nd December

It seems as though fieldwork is taking a backseat as Christmas gets nearer, with very little coverage despite the gloriously sunny and mild conditions. Two Siskins were new at Church Ope Cove and 5 more Red-throated Divers passed by off the Bill, but the only other reports were of a few of the established regulars including 2 Firecrests at both the Obs and Church Ope Cove, and the Grey Heron and Reed Bunting at the Bill.

A Red Admiral was on the wing at Blacknor.

Dusk is often a good time to census wintering Firecrests - at least when the weather's as nice as it's been in recent days - since they invariably call a lot prior to going to roost; all this week the two at the Obs which are usually really unobtrusive through the day have been getting ever so noisy towards sunset: