27 Nov - a dull, cold day with some snow flurries, but a productive couple of hours. First I checked out Witcombe Woods, were I have seen Brambling (upper) in previous years, and was surprised to find a small flock straight away - 15+ birds, mostly males, with a few Chaffinches. Good views of the birds perched, and heard calling.
I then returned via CWP, where 10 Goosander were on pit 44 (9m) and 4 (1m ) on pit 30. Best of all, a redhead Smew had returned to pit 29, the same area as last year (middle photo from winter 09-10, JM).
I spent the last 45 mins of daylight at Shorncote, where I did not see the Short-eared Owl, but the Barn Owl gave good views instead. A real bonus was a male Merlin (lower) that landed briefly on top of a hedge before flying off SW and showing its small size, fairly short squarish tail and grey upperparts. Possibly the bird seen recently at Blakehill? The regular Cetti's Warbler and Water Rail were heard calling here. Another winter dusk with penetrating cold (top, Shorncote reedbeds, JM).
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