Wednesday 3rd. April 2013

Firstly , a catch up on yesterday , when at least the sun was out , taking a bit of the chill off that Easterly wind . After a detour to avoid a road closure for an earlier accident , my first stop was Bough Beech Reservoir , but not before encountering another accident on ice , just before arriving . Although the scrape by the Visitor Centre was frozen over , and consequently very quiet , I did find a

female Kestrel , tucked up out of the wind in the lee of a large Oak . She looked so comfortable , I didn't have the heart to get any closer , and left her in peace . From the lookout by the VC , Wigeon

could be seen , confirming that Winter is still upon us ., and closer , a Wren was fossicking amongst

the tussocks and woodpiles , before chasing off to defend his patch . Still not a sign of a Brambling at the feeders , which were dominated by Great and Blue Tits along with Greenfinches and Goldfinches . Under the feeders , it was first come , first served , as several Pheasants , and a pair of

Mallard , were scrapping for anything that dropped to the ground . The view from the causeway was very watery , with the reservoir and the North Lake full to capacity , and that water spilling into the woods all around both , meaning no mud to attract any migrants . On the main reservoir , 1M and 2F Goosander flew across , landing just before the trees , and within seconds disappeared into them . I

was luckier on the North Lake , where a female was feeding , although at distance . My second stop was up on the Greensand Ridge , where I had a look around the Adder hibernation sites , without finding a single animal . The books say that Adders don't feed between emergence and mating , so hopefully the return to cold weather won't cause any harm to them , some having emerged in the milder weather a couple of weeks ago . My last stop was to check up on the Long Tailed Tit's nest that I posted a week ago . The masterpiece is now complete , and as I thought , the entrance hole is

at the height that the nest was at on my previous visit . I didn't see any LTTs at the nest , but four were gorging on the fat balls at the feeders . Still plenty of Siskins around and two Marsh Tits came to the feeders , it would be great if they bred on the reserve . Three Common Buzzards drifted over

soon after I arrived , and just before leaving , another two saw me off the property . On my way home , I stopped off to see the juvenile Common Buzzard , but for the second time in a week , I couldn't find it . It might have moved on after over-Wintering , or possibly been driven off if it was born there and the parents have returned to regain their breeding area . Which ever it is , the juvenile certainly gave me a lot of pleasure watching over the Winter .
This morning , I did what I'm sure was the coldest bird survey ever at Down House . Being high up , the bitter wind kept the species count down to just 15 , with nothing out of the ordinary amongst them . Not a single migrant , either Winter or Summer was recorded either . I must admit , I was glad to get back to the car , and home for a hot drink . Back home , the birds have been giving the feeders a right bashing , and today , about lunchtime , we had five Siskins , 4M and 1F , 3 males pictured

through the kitchen window here . We also had a pair of Coal Tits just afterwards , it would be nice if

 they stayed and nested around the garden . Good to see that someone is using the barbecue in these conditions .