Monday 10th January 2011

No waxwings today - the weather had returned to it's normal gloom.   2x Brambling were in the corner orchard with the massed thrush and Starling flocks as I walked into work, and a small exhaltation of 9x Skylarks danced over the stubble field near the weather station.   At lunchtime searched the orchards again but they were fairly empty compared to recent days.  22x Common Gull and 2x Black-headed Gulls lined the bypass road.  I tore myself away from the orchards on the research site to check out Ditton Quarry on the off chance any Waxwings had lingered there - but again no luck, although looking at the now bare berry bushed I'd photographed a few weeks ago I think they had paid a visit recently!  The only birds of note were Goldfinches, they seemed to be everywhere and one charm feeding in an Alder tree held at least 40 birds.  No photos as the light was so dismal!  Good to catch up with John from Meopham, hopefully you got to see something!