26-12-10, Whitemoor Haye.

I decided to have a slow walk around Whitemoor Haye and its gaps today. With the snow and ice covering the lanes, firlds and pool, the birds were very low in numbers. A slow walk produced 58 Tree Sparrow, 24 Goldfinch, 5 Blackbird, 32 Carrion Crow, 5 Fieldfare, 256 Mute Swan, 55 Wood Pigeon, 2 Buzzard, 23 Magpie, 1 Reed Bunting, 25 Lesser Black-backed Gull over, 3 Wren, 11 Curlew, 4 Skylark, 1 Yellowhammer, 59 Black-headed Gull flying around plus another 81 sitting on the iced up pool, about 50 Starling, 15 Blue Tits, 1 Stock Dove, 1 Robin, 12 Greenfinch, 3 Dunnock, 2 Kestrel, 27 Mallard on the pool plus about 15 overhead, 3 Great Tit, 5 Chaffinch, 2 Woodcock - a nice site tick for here, and a single Pheasant.
Not bad species wise but it was difficult birding around this site.

26-12-10, Elford.

I fancies making another trip just down the road to between Elford and Fisherwick to see the Bewick's Swans and try to get some record photos. Birds noted were 153 Mute Swans, 16 Bewick's Swans, 9 Skylark, and loads of Carrion Crows and Wood Pigeons.

One of the nice group of Bewick's Swans.

26-12-10, Croxall GP.

I headed for Croxall next. It has been nearly two years since I have seen a Smew and this was at Draycote Water. I cannot remeber the last Smew I saw around Whitemoor/Croxall area. I decided to concentrate on the river section hoping to find one. Birds noted were Kestrel, Chaffinch, Buzzard, Redwing, Fieldfare, Wren, Carrion Crow, Bullfinch, Black-headed Gull, Grey Heron, Blue Tit, Goldcrest, Lapwing, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Goldeneye, Coot, Teal, Tufted Duck, Mistle Thrush, Redshank, Moorhen, Mute Swan, Wigeon, Goosander, Little Grebe, Gadwall, Reed Bunting, Rook, a group of about 50 Siskins flew over and a couple of Dunnocks.
There are some great numbers of both Redwing and Fieldfare at Croxall at the moment, easy a few hundred of each at times. The Fieldfare are very skittish so I couldnt get that near to them and these were my best efforts!!! Nuff said.
A fine few hours birding. Same tomorrow me thinks.