Scaling Dam and garden today

Two new drake Goldeneye to supplement the usual adult and sub-adult males - a total of at least 16 Goldeneye of all ages and genders. The male Long-tailed Duck was evident but no 1st winter. 2 Pink-feet were hiding amongst the Greylags. 26 Fieldfares went north-west. A good range and mix of species, although dabbling duck numbers were low. A record 5 House Sparrows were around the feeding stations.

Back home Fieldfares and Starlings were out in force with at least 350 Fieldfares, about 600 Starlings. There were 100 Redwing at least. Most of these would have remained hidden but for the raiding female Sparrowhawk. Common Gulls reached bout 350 also but only 2 Bl-h Gulls and no big ones today. The Magpie roost didn't seem to happen, although between 4 - 6 were hanging around the lower fields from late afternoon. A Grey Heron plodded around the lower fields from lunchtime. Chaffinch numbers seem steady but a small rise in greenfinch and Goldfinch numbers continues.