Three hours birding at Rutland Water in belting weather. Sunny, warm and dry but still pretty squelchy underfoot. As the weather is currently so mild there appears to be little hard weather movement and the number of birds currently using the north arm of the reservoir is considerably less than during freezing conditions. Wigeon, Tufted Duck, Coot and Great Crested Grebe were present in small numbers as were Little Grebe and Goldeneye but disturbance by sailing boats could account for low numbers too. Nonetheless we had good views of Black-necked Grebe and Long-tailed Duck as well as a Red Kite performing over the dam. But still NO THRUSHES!
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| Field and hedgerow with absolutely zero thrushes |
45 minutes driving through highly suitable habitat in south Notts and Leicestershire, three hours walking around the North Arm of Rutland Water and scanning the surrounding field plus 45 minutes driving back through suitable habitat produced: No Song Thrush. No Mistle Thrush. No Redwing. No Fieldfare. Half a dozen Blackbirds. What is happening here? Supposedly large numbers in the south still so I'm told. Four days into the New Year and I have seen only one Redwing and a few Blackbirds - and I've been birding every day!
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