Winter can induce many feelings in the aftermath of the festivities of Xmas (can't spell Christmas !) and of course who can forget or rather remember the New Year, with resolutions made and broken the very next day. The year started with a bang on the birding front with many nice ones to search for and get the year list under way. The first target after an abysmal new years day count was the pair of fully moulted Smew at the fishing lake at Holt Church a gorgeous pair although only one was available on the visit day. The next venue was to be the Arrow Valley Country Park for the long staying Black-throated Diver and what a cracker it was a might elusive at times, and as a Brucey Bonus a nice Pink-footed Goose arrival with a bunch of Greylag geese.

The next one to be added was a couple of Waxwings close to Shrewsbury, a long awaited species in the winter months but not a guaranteed bird at all , so their discovery prompted a few birders to go for them.

Smew-Holt-2

Black-throated DiverAt the Arrow Valley Country park

Pink-footed-Goose-Arrow-Valley-country-park   Waxwing Cockshutt

Last but not least Redpoll on Alder

So there you go Not a bad haul for the first couple of weeks of 2019 and still Cattle Egret if it hangs around and the Great-grey Shrike

we live in exciting times !!!

Enjoy

Paul.