Granby, Sunday 9 January

It was a beautifully clear morning, with what we thought was Jupiter shining very brightly (though happy to be corrected on this - it wasn't flashing though, so fairly sure it wasn't heading for East Midlands...). It was also breezy, but not enough to stop us netting.

It was quite a contrast to the previous session, perhaps because the snow had gone (though the temperature remained stubbornly low all day), as we only processed 36 birds. However, these arrived steadily throughout the morning and it can be good not to feel under pressure sometimes and enjoy looking at the birds properly. 

Blackbirds were very much in evidence and a 3 year old retrap was a bonus. We also caught a 3 year old Blue Tit and a 4 year old Great Tit. The full stats are as follows (new/retrap): Dunnock 1/0, Robin 2/2, Blackbird 4/1, Blue Tit 2/6, Great Tit 3/6, Tree Sparrow 1/0, Chaffinch 2/0, Yellowhammer 4/1, Willow Tit 0/1. 

Fieldfares were still very obvious and although some were still taking berries, many were down in the fields searching for worms. Redwings, however, were present in only single figures. Several Reed Buntings were about, though Skylarks and Meadow Pipits seemed to have been displaced by the cold weather. A small flock of Lapwings came over and 2 Kestrels and 2 Sparrowhawks were knocking about. A single Brambling was heard and we flushed a Woodcock from further down the cutting. 

Pete