1st January 2017 - 8th January 2017

With the weather awful on the 1st Donna & myself only had an hr out at Edison rd, Hams Hall picking just a few common species along with the expected wintering Chiffchaff, a msg on twitter had us making the short journey over to Hinckley, Leics for a reported Waxwing but no sign on arrival. On the 2nd again the msg came thru on Birdguides that the Waxwing was again present on the A47 Hinckley by the Triumph factory!! With the weather crisp & sunny we set out & sure enough the bird was sat up high waiting to come down,after a short wait it duly obliged giving Donna only her 3rd sighting & best ever views................

On the 3rd I was finally broke by the constant whining about going back for the Blue Rock Thrush at Stow,Gloucs unfortunately the weather was cold & overcast but the bird showed well for a few minutes & the smile on Donna's face made the trip worthwhile....Checking Bird New whilst there I noticed a report that there was now 23 Waxwings at Hinckley so made a detour on the way home allowing Donna to actually hear the magnificent trilling calls for the 1st time.
The weekend of the 7th & 8th was spent locally picking up local year ticks with the best being Water Rail,Common Sandpiper & Siberian Chiffchaff & also a 1st wintering record of Chiffchaff in my back garden...........