07:00 - 17:00. Clear skies early hours of morning, c85% cloud cover by dawn. Weather brightening from mid-morning on but a fresh northwest wind all day.
Started with a vis. mig. watch on the eastern end of the Warren from 07:25 - 10:00. Heading northwest into the wind were 84 Swallows, 200 Meadow Pipits, 52 alba Wagtails, 197 Siskins, 2 Lesser Redpolls, 4 Greenfinch, 24 Chaffinch, 300 Linnets and 41 Goldfinch. A more leisurly NW movement to midday in the East Soar area brought the totals to 350 Meadow Pipits, 228 Siskins and 4 Lesser Redpolls. In addition a single Crossbill and by the end of the day 142 Swallows and 6 House Martins. Elsewhere single Golden Plover heard, 5 Wheatear and a Great Spotted Woodpecker. Birding in the bushes not surprisingly dire, single Chiffchaff, 6 Goldcrest and a possible Blackcap ! Unfortunatly did not connect with Rob's Wryneck but saw presumably the same female Merlin at mid-Soar.
Finally an ' helice ' Clouded Yellow at East Soar Ponds.
