Patch Birding

Great few days on patch with highlight of flyover CATTLE EGRET this afternoon seen briefly flying low over some nearby fields, then dropping down into fields near River Char with no Cattle!! Relocated the bird shortly afterwards flying off over woodland/fields heading towards Hogchester Farm right over my patch again!! 1st site record for the patch!!

Cattle Egret-Charmouth

Good numbers of wintering "Colybita" Chiffchaff on patch over the past few days numbering from 5-15+ birds at times. Today's estimate count of 15+ present int he willows/reedbed by the stream/lakes giving some good view. No joy yet in finding a Siberian Chiffchaff. One pale greyish Chiffchaff showing some characteristics for "Abietinus" type Chiffchaff photographed below.

Colder & greyer plumaged, possible "Abietinus" type Chiffchaff- Giving a peep-dunnock like call

Grey Wagtail

Meadow Pipit

Meadow Pipit

Reed Bunting. Winter plumaged male-Trapped & Ringed on site. One of 5+ birds frequenting the reedbed.

Other sightings of note on patch at the weekend include 2 Grey Wagtail, 1 Meadow Pipit, 3+ Reed Bunting, 16+ Bullfinch, Cetti's Warbler (singing male), 2 Water Rail, 3 Moorhen, 1 Coot, 1 Little Grebe, 3 Green Woodpecker, 10 Siskin, 30+ Lesser Redpoll, 2 Firecrest, 5 Treecreeper and 2 Raven. Lots of the usual Tits, Finches, Thrushes across the patch with a notable increase in Goldfinch & Chaffinch numbers 40+ now frequenting feeders.
Looking forward to the spring migration to see what migrants will pass through on patch!!................