Still feels like winter

18th March 16          morning                mid section

dull,misty & cold,  5-6°c,  1028 mb,  ENE 5-NE 6 mph

 Cold and grey with misty fog, not improving all day. So was not surprised when the birding turned out just the same. The only bright spot was in the birch woodland at the top of Barleyfield. Met up with the two uni students who have been doing a survey of the birds in the middle section of the valley ( my sector ). We came across a tit flock ( reminiscent of winter activity ) that included coal and long-tail tits as well as goldcrest. We often get treecreeper,siskin,jay and great spotted woodpecker here and soon no doubt chiffchaff, blackcap and willow warbler.       

                                         

Little Grebe	2	S&W Canal
Moorhen	2	Wetlands
Great Spotted Woodpecker	calls	Top Birches
Pied Wagtail	1♂	Wetland Field
Wren	12 singing	mid section
Dunnock	11 singing	mid section
Robin	11 singing	mid section
Song Thrush	3 singing	Barleyfield
Redwing	6	Wetlands
Goldcrest	pair	Top Birches
Long Tailed Tit	5 + pr	Barleyfield
Coal Tit	2	Top Birches
Great Tit	4 singing	mid section
Bullfinch	2 pair	Annex Barleyfield