Still trying to throw off the cough/cold I picked up in Portugal saw my first outing of the year today - a visit to collect outstanding post, return/swap the duplicate jigsaw and catch up with Kate over a coffee at Liss. A Buzzard on a lamppost, a couple of Red Kites soaring west of the A3 and a Little Egret flying up into a bare tree on the bend in to the cafe carpark were it for birds.
Later locally, the frozen pond held zero Shovelers and only a handful of Tufties; presumably most birds relocated to less frozen water. The refuge field was empty apart from a single Curlew and a Kestrel flew in from the east. Although a little chilly the lack of wind made it bearable. Still no sight nor sound of any Water Rails.
Hopefully it might still be possible to catch up with the remains of the grey goose influx which started prior to Xmas. Maybe try Titchfield tomorrow.
