Sunday 20th January 2013

Cold, lying snow, overcast then snow from 9am, Moderate NE.
Mid-section - Compton Bridge to Newbridge and Barleyfield/Compton Park

Very quiet overall with only 29 species noted - the lowest on any day since I started watching the patch in 2010!! The only indication of any cold-weather movements, were 8 Lesser Black-backed Gulls heading SW over Henwood Ridge.

As usual though, the valley yielded some encounters that made braving the elements worthwhile:

Firstly, I had a mid-section PB for Little Grebe counts with a total of 7 present - 1 at Prefab Weir, 3 at Meccano Bridge, and 3 around the barges at Newbridge.

Whilst watching the Grebes at Meccano Bridge a drake Teal suddenly shot up from the Smestow Brook just South of the bridge. It circled then appeared to head South-West following the Western edge of the Barleyfield.

A Nuthatch called briefly from the Railway Walk near Compton Lock.

Common water-bird numbers had swelled slightly, with the 36 Mallard counted being understandable given the amount of frozen local water, but the count of 20 Moorhens may, simply have been a result of their being more visible against the snowy backdrop. Even so 20, including 8 at Newbridge and 5 around Prefab Weir, was close to a patch record for me.

A Green Woodpecker called from the Henwood Road area adjacent to Meccano Bridge and 3 Dunnock, including a singing bird were breaking the silence nearby.

a Grey Wagtail flew East over the old canal bridge at Newbridge and a Coal Tit was briefly calling from the tree tops there.

The Paddocks were unproductive and it was a little concerning that I had yet to encounter a feeding band anywhere!! (Though what appeared to be the tail end of one was represented by 5 Long-tailed Tits heading off into the Newbridge housing area).

Next up was the Barleyfield, where 5 Bullfinch were seen, lifting from the Railway Walk and heading up the Western edge and a 2nd Winter Herring Gull drifted low over the canal the other way. A second Grey Wagtail of the morning was feeding at Graisley Culvert.

A lone and very confiding Goldcrest was flitting through brambles at the top of the Barleyfield by Geoff's seat, which for me gave the highlight of the morning, as the views reminded just how beautiful these often overlooked little birds are.

The snow was now becoming more persistent and after standing for half hour in the vain hope of seeing some movement birds, I gave up and set off to find the finch flock. This didn't take long, as the party were feeding in the smaller Lower Alders. There were good numbers and 3 female Siskin were picked out as the birds fed. Eventually they lifted, revealing a good count (by today's standards) of 30+ Goldfinch. Redpoll still, surprisingly remained absent.

I had intended to stick around and persevere with the skywatch, but a text from my waking hungry son, and worsening conditions prompted me to abandon match!!

Hopes of catching my first Winter Thrushes of the day at Compton Park failed, but at last a feeding band of 9+ Long-tailed Tits and Blue/Greats rounded off the walk.