A sparkling morning

4 Dec - At last, a fine sunny morning with a touch of early frost. A magical sunrise over the Shorncote reedbeds, with a lot of early activity - Redwings and Fieldfares moving, Water Rails and Cetti’s Warblers calling, and Reed Buntings feeding on seed heads - also a couple of flocks of Bullfinches, elusive as always. No Great White or Little Egrets today, but Shoveler, Snipe and a party of Teal logged, the usual Grey Wagtail along the stream, and Buzzards enjoying the chance to stretch their wings - nothing exceptional but a beautiful winter morning. Elsewhere, a couple of groups of Bramblings with Chaffinches in the beech trees around Cirencester Park - good numbers seem to have arrived locally this year. Always a smart and exciting bird to see.