Winter sunshine

28 Dec - A superb sunny winters day with a bit of lying snow. We had arranged a trip to Otmoor with Julie's friends to see the Starling murmuration - an amazing spectacle, 1000s of birds streaming in at sunset from all directions - not a lot of aerobatics as no wind, but a fantastic sight and 70-80 people there to see it. Also a pair of Marsh Harriers performing well, but surprisingly no other raptors at the roost. Kingfisher and Cetti's Warbler also present, with Water Rail and Snipe, and large flocks of Golden Plover and Lapwing. In the morning a beautiful sunrise, I managed a brief walk at Shorncote - frozen pools meant there were Stonechats and Meadow Pipits standing and looking a little puzzled - also Reed Buntings and Bullfinches in good numbers. 4 Little Egrets on the unflooded Thames Water field, and the Cetti's Warblers and Water Rails in good voice and surviving the cold so far.