Shoveler hanging around

Another overnight frost, but not so severe. A dry and mainly sunny day with a very gentle NE breeze.

Middleton Nature Reserve 

I checked the main pond mid morning - Malcolm. The pond was ice covered except near the feeding area. The Tufted and Gadwall were nowhere to be seen. The Shoveler pair were still here though.

Shovelers on thin ice

Janet checked this afternoon. Much of the ice had melted, some of the gadwall had returned and the Shovelers were on the water.

Male Shoveler 

Female Shoveler

This Coot was finding the pond weed.....

.......but not this one

This Blue Tit's ring code is clear enough to identify it as one ringed at
Middleton Nature Reserve in 2023, it was retrapped in both 2024 and 2025

Pheasant a group of 5 were accidentally flushed.

Heliport - Malcolm 15:30

Pale-bellied Brent geese 16 feeding below the sloping wall just out from the slipway near the cafe.

Shag 1 juvenile feeding by the Near Naze rocks.

It caught a Common Blenny

Three dives later it caught a Shore Crab. This sequence begins with it having a lump in its throat where the Blenny was refusing to go down.

Middleton village - Malcolm

These are the trees on the north side of Middleton Rd that mark the southern 
boundary of the recording area. It is where a Rookery began 2 years ago. Both
Carrion Crows and Rooks were in the trees today.

Carrion Crow

Rook

Just across the road in the horse paddock behind Middleton Parish Hall, were 2 Redwings. Technically outside of the recording area, but easily seen from it.

Redwing