20/01/14 Paul Bright Thomas was out in Area 4 this morning at 08:45 on what turned out to be a Gull fest 3 Great Black-backed Gull flew SE, 1 adult Lesser Black-backed Gull flew E and 4 adult Common Gull flew NW. 500< font color=#FFOOOO> Woodpigeon were also seen to fly N to NW over the morning in groups and a solitary Cormmorant flew SE.

18/01/14 A wet start to the day, led to a later than usual start around Area 4 & 5. This however proved adventageous with a Treecreeper seen near Ripplestream Bridge. A pretty bad record shot was taken. The Thrush population in the area had increased to at least 3 figures with most trees holding Redwings . As the morning brightened up I decided to give Area 1 (Gorrick Woods ) a look. This again good results with numerous Goldcrest picking their way through the Fir trees, several Coal Tits calling in among the Tit flocks and the highlight of a "cronking " Raven as it flew over towards Heathlake.

12/01/14 A frosty start and cloudy by lunch time. 24 species seen today but the only addition to the FOTEB Year List was a small party of Rooks seen flying N over Area 5 at 07:45. This brings the FOTEB Bird Year list to 40 species.

11/01/14 On a rare sunny day in Area 5 today 50 + Redwing were feeding on the grass near Dragonfly Bridge to the rear of Morrisons . New for the year was a Buzzard seen quite latev in the afternoon, a Wren near Ripplestream Bridge and a Green Woodpecker heard "Yaffling " . A Feral Pigeon also put in an appearance.

08/01/14 In Area 10 the large mixed flock of approx 200 Redwing and Fieldfare were still present on Dinton Pastures Golf Course.

07/01/14 Area 10 again and this time it was Fraser Cottinton that was out and about . A walk up the sodden car park field on Sandford Lane , yielded returns with an immediate Peregrine circling over low East, looked large so was probably a female, then 2 Stock Dove over, a Buzzard landed at the back of Lavell's Lake. . On the way back up the field a pair of Sparrowhawk glided over me together rather low towards Lavell's.

06/01/14 In Area 10 R.A.Price saw a mixed flock of 200 Redwing and Fieldfare adjacent to the Emm on the Dinton Pastures Golf Course. Have a better week ahead.

05/01/14 With blue skies,sunshine and a glorious sunrise all that was missing from this Biblical morning was a Dove and an Olive branch around Area's 4 & 5. What was seen however was making the most of the respite from the recent foul weather. A Red Kite was up early patrolling the river benind Morrisons. A Great spotted Woodpecker was again announcing its presence by drumming in the Oak trees. 20+ Redwing were feeding on the grass before quickly flying back into the safety of the bushes. By the bridge on Barkham Road a Grey Wagtail was seen by P. Burden and a Mistle Thrush was seen by Paul Bright Thomas in his Area 4 garden.

04/01/14 In Area 10 Alan Rymer saw 35 Redwing in the tree's surrounding the Car Park field with more on the ground out of view. Also seen was a Green Woodpecker.

03/01/14 A better morning meant a longer walk than of late around Area's 4 & 5. Drumming Great spotted Woodpecker 's were near Ripplestream Bridge. A solitary Stock Dove was feeding on the grass. A flock of Blue Tit , Great Tit and Long tailed Tit were in the trees near the balancing pond. Also seen was a calling Nuthath. I decided to visit Area 2 behind Tesco's in the afternoon just as the heavens opened. I got very wet but managed to see a solitary Fieldfare and numerous Jackdaw's . In Area 3 behind Emm Square, 7 Mallard were on the swollen Emm Brook near the culvert under Ashville Way.

02/01/14 As it was getting dark in Area 5 a male Sparrowhawk was seen looking for a late snack from the roosting birds. In Area 10 Fraser Cottington wandered through a flooded Sandford Lane to the car park field and found a Nuthatch that was singing at the bottom, a Feral Pigeon over distantly and a brief Ring-necked Parakeet call .

01/01/14 In Area 5 the heavy New Year rain was hardly condusive to bird watching. Most was conducted from the window watching the garden. But I did venture out, but with not a great deal of success. Highlights (if thats the right word ) were Redwing , Blackbird and a wet looking Red Kite .