An excellent hour spent at Albert Village this afternoon, albeit in the pouring rain, 1st summer Little Gull and Arctic Tern over the lake, and 3 Turnstone on the lake at the old landfill site, my first ever in NW Leicestershire (poor video added)

Found this female 'Yellow' Wagtail at Stanford Reservoir, Northamptonshire today. I want to say Channel Wagtail but Blue-Headed has been suggested too. Thoughts and opinions most welcome. Stanford Birder Mike Alibone Josh Jones Mark Hawkes Mike Weedon Rhys Dandy

First Ringed Plover of the year this morning on the telegraph pit, off Ratcliffe Lane, also Whimbrel and Common Sand, 3 Wheatear feeding on the short grass at the side of the lake at Albert Village old landfill site, nearby my first 3 Common Tern of the year at Hicks Lodge. 👌

Morning rain and reports of Waders and Terns, was enough for me to have a quick visit to Albert Village Lake, 3 Redshank and a Whimbrel on the lake island, and a Bar-tailed Godwit and Arctic Tern on the lake at the old landfill site, very productive Birds of Leicestershire & Rutland

16 Whooper Swan this morning dropped on to Ratcliffe Lane Pit, thanks to Clive Prescott for the call back, thankfully hadn't gone far, amazing sight and sound before heading off NE, NWL yearlist creeps up to 118. Birds of Leicestershire & Rutland

Great morning on the Warren Lane patch this morning, 2 male Redstart, male Ring Ouzel, Ruddy Shelduck, female Wheatear, 4 Common Sand, 2 Yellow Wags, Reed Warbler, Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat and Brambling, certainly made up for a disappointing day yesterday.

I don't remember a year when I didn't catch a Ring Ouzel at Warren Hills, thanks to Andrew Allen for a finding this one 🤩

1st winter Med Gull, the highlight of a visit to TV Pits and Warren Lane area this morning, also 6 Green Sand, 6 Oystercatcher and a small group of 30 Siskin, 88 species for my NWL yearlist so far, still plenty of common omissions.

Stanford Reservoir - interesting gull in last nights roost sparked some good debate as to its ID. Took a punt & went back pre dawn, re-finding it just after 8am. 2nd-winter Kumlien’s, 2nd record for the site if accepted. (4th pic is from last night). Birds of Leicestershire & Rutland #northantsbirds

After a tricky 2022 with family health issues, very little time, I almost gave up my hobby as I couldn't see a way forward, 2023 I decided to do a NW Leics year list, best thing I did, fell in love with the hobby again, 156 for the year, highlight was the Kittiwake day in April.

Happy New Year !!! New post on my blog, featuring garden sightings in the 1st half of December, here:- peglerbirding.blogspot.com/2023/12/decemb… Leicestershire & Rutland Wildlife Trust Birds of Leicestershire & Rutland Rhys Dandy

Brambling that's taken up residence in my garden for the last two weeks, didn't see my first of the year until October either, only my 2nd garden record of a bird actually in and not flying over.

Quick dash over to Swithland Res this afternoon, good views of the Velvet Scoter from Kinchley Lane, great catch up with friends too, well done to whoever found it 👍 Birds of Leicestershire & Rutland

Hi, I’m Sophie, a 19 year old wildlife artist from Cornwall, and I would love to be able to share my art with more people! I would be so grateful if you could share this post and have a look at some of my work. Thank you! ❤️

#wildlife #art #britishwildlife Megan McCubbin #art ist

I don't mind admitting leaving the house in a bit of a huff this morning, given the thick foggy conditions, but on arrival at Beacon Hill I was greeted with a wonderful winter wonderland, amazing conditions, an amazing Snow Bunting, and as ever amazing company. Birds of Leicestershire & Rutland

Another two Mealy Redpolls ringed this morning, my 3rd & 4th this autumn & I’ve only caught 55 Lesser Redpolls
By contrast, from 2015 to 2022, I ringed 882 Lesser Redpolls & just 4 Mealies, so clearly a great year for these smart Scandinavian visitors NeilH@calidrisboy Rhys Dandy

Warren Hills vis-mig this am, highlights of 934 Fieldfare, 189 Redwing, 1237 Starling, 774 Woodpigeon, 3 Brambling, 97 Chaffinch, a late 'flava Wag', 2 redhead Goosander, and a Diver Sp. High west, plus all the other usual suspects Birds of Leicestershire & Rutland