9th January

Another very small cold weather arrival today with singles of Lapwing, Golden Plover and Redwing new in at the Bill and several reports of extra Song Thrushes having dropped in. Blackcaps continued to consolidate in favourable private gardens, with 4 on the Verne Common Estate and 3 at Southwell; a Black Redstart was also still at the former and a Chiffchaff still at the latter. Other reports included the 2 Eider still off the Bill, 9 Purple Sandpipers still on the shore there, 2 Black Redstarts and a Merlin still at Barleycrates Lane, the Rosy Starling still at Easton and totals of 143 Dunlin and 36 Ringed Plovers at Ferrybridge.

Blackcap and Song Thrush at Southwell © Debby Saunders:



This Black-headed Gull settled on Pete Saunders' arm at Ferrybridge (it had just come in for bread) is a winter regular in the area that was first ringed at Radipole in January 2011 © Debby Saunders: