Sunday February 21

A cloudy start with sunny intervals developing. Very mild but with a strong westerly wind.

Dave and I checked out the shed, no Barn Owl, and then walked along the road before cutting down towards the pool, no Tawny Owl. We did, however, have a great view of a Stoat at the entrance to High Field Farm. A small party of Lesser Redpolls were sheltering from the wind, allowing good views for once.

I photographed the palest bird as usual. Unfortunately it didn't look any larger than the other Redpolls, and although the lower back was pale grey, its rump appeared brownish with a hint of pink.  Presumably just a Lesser Redpoll at the pale end of the spectrum.

The pool contained a drake Tufted Duck and a Mute Swan, neither of which was present in the week. This was an encouraging start, and there was more to see on the Flash field. Most obvious was a drake Shelduck, and we soon added 61 Teal, 22 Lapwings, and an impressive five Green Sandpipers.

Lapwings with Green Sandpipers on the back edge

On the trudge back we located another 40 Redpolls, including one with a paler head than the one photographed earlier. The views were insufficient to say much more than that, and we soon lost them.

As we walked across the ridge field I noticed that two cyclists had hopped over the gate by Bannams Wood and one had climbed onto the stacked logs, ignoring the warning signs. Very dangerous and stupid.

A couple of numpties

They survived the experience.