No Firecrest - but a Fieldfare (it begins with F, so close enough)

WaterWorks Nature Reserve (9-10am)

I like this morning's type of birding - miserable weather, cold, murky and not a sole around (it must be the dour Scot in me). 

I went over to the WaterWorks to seek out the Firecrest that was seen by Sue yesterday. Then I thought I might make use of the rain and head over to the marsh (the rain tends to vacate the place of plebs and dogs).

Unfortunately for today, the Firecrest eluded me. It's quite likely that it's still around - either in the WaterWorks or the Middlesex Filterbeds - they are regular Winter visitors to the area. 

I checked out bed 16 (currently the best filter bed) for any Jack Snipe, Water Rail or Bittern - sadly none showing this morning.

While I was checking out the Common Snipe in bed 16, my wife phoned to tell me that I had left my key in the keyhole to our flat and that she was just leaving for work and would leave my key in the post box of our flat. Bugger! The postman will visit soon and I started to worry I would return home to find him having a cup of tea in my living room - so no marshes for me.

On the bright side, there were two treats for me on my way out. A dignified fox, desperately trying to scratch away the onset of mange in the 'big boring bed' (it's official name). 

And then a very welcome Fieldfare! Winter must be on it's way. It was chak chak chakking away to its hearts content, letting me get quite close to it. It was on the top of the semi circle of small trees surrounding the nature garden pond. 

Here's a link to BTO's id guide to Fieldfare and Redwing.

Fieldfare & Redwing

And an internet photo of a Fieldfare (as my photo is rubbish).

Birds I noted in my note book this morning:

Gadwall

Pochard

Tufted Duck

Song Thrush

Chiffchaff

Teal

Cetti's Warbler

Snipe 6

Green Woodpecker

Jackdaw

Great Spotted Woodpecker

Shoveler f

Pied Wagtail

Fieldfare

Graham H