Red-throated Diver, Smew, Siskin and Blackcap

 A Red-throated Diver flew in and stayed a few days at the Mere, giving good views eventually. They don't normally hang around so this was a nice change for us.

Red-throated Diver on the Mere

On the same day that I got these photos of the diver, a male Smew appeared and stayed for a few hours. I had reasonable views of it off first field, but didn't manage to get any useable photos. The same went for a Velvet Scoter!

 

When I got home I spotted a female Blackcap in the garden, feeding on fat balls. We had a male Blackcap last year and I hope the trend for having over-wintering Blackcaps in the garden continues.

Female Blackcap in the garden

 Half a dozen Siskin were in the alders on KP with about 15 Long-tailed Tits. The morning was awful - grey, windy and drizzly and the light was grim so the images were too dark even after over-exposing. They look a little better after a bit of editting, but not much.

 

Siskin on KP

I went for a good long walk up Bewholme Lane this morning and really enjoyed having the sun out for the first time in what seemed like ages. Lots of birds singing and active - nothing particularly outstanding but good to see a few Red-legged Partridges and to hear two Skylarks up and singing.

Red-legged Partrige

Red-legged Partridges

Starlings

Two of five Greenfinch

About 100 Linnet

It was really great to see so many Linnet in the hedgerows, as the large flock we get each winter at the Mere set aside field has been absent this year. A break from the usual seed-rich planting there (replaced with a two year seed planting last year) is the cause and if I can manage to see him I'll ask the guy who does it if we can go back to the previous seed mix.