First of all a big welcome back to all the Belvide bloggers. I hope you all understand that the closure of the blog was well and truely out of my hands.

The 1st winter Mediterranean Gull continued to roost until 1st Feb. 15 Pintail was a good count on the 30th Jan. 181 Wigeon on the 31st Jan was the highest count of the winter also 4 RL Partridge on the same day were new for the year. A n adult Caspian Gull roosted on the 1st of Feb and the 1st Oystercatcher of the year arrived on the same day. An escaped Bar Headed Goose was amongst the Canada Geese 3rd-6th Feb. The first Shelduck of the year dropped in on the 6th. The main highlight of this period arrived in the shape of a juvenile GLAUCOUS GULL that came in to roost on the 13th. This was the first record for 3 years. Also a Little Egret arrived same day and is still present on the 28th Feb. A single Brambling also flew over the same day. 4 Raven were sparring at the west end on the 14th and 2 Crossbill flew over to the north on the 17th. 85 Goldeneye were counted on the 17th and the highest count of the winter so far. The first Curlew of the year arrived on the 22nd quickly followed by the first Redshank on the 23rd, also 5 Oystercatcher and 3 Curlew the same day. An interesting Yellow-legged Gull showing characteristics of the race atlantis roosted on the 23rd-24th. The bird showing a distinct hood of greyish streaking with a dark grey mantle darker than Yellow-legged Gull but lighter than Lesser Black Backed Gull. 2 Dunlin were new for the year on the 26th also 8 Curlew and 2 Shelduck the same day. Up to 8 Lesser Redpoll have been seen. Peak wildfowl counts include 13 Shoveler, 51 Gadwall, 27 GC Grebe, 3 Little Grebe, 278 Teal, 65 Pochard, 82 Tufted Duck, 129 Mallard and 224 Coot.

Photo1 Juv Glaucous Gull, Photo 2 Yellow-legged Gull type showing characteristics of race atlantis