Bainton Pit / Firecrest

As soon as it was light, I thought i would have another walk around Bainton Pits to see if i might be lucky enough to see the bittern again. No such luck but nevertheless i was to have a rewarding morning.

Large areas of the lakes remain frozen over but counted 5 goldeneye, 5 male and 3 female goosanders, pochard, wigeon. Male and female Gadwall in good attendance. 2 Little Grebes.

6 female and 3 male bullfinches counted feeding in alder in the company of a flock of blue tits.

At the far end of the first lake saw 2 tree creepers low down on the trunks of alder. Have never spotted these at Bainton Pit before and never seen them on such immature trees as these were. As i approached the raised path to go over the footbridge of Maxey Cut i heard the short seee sound of what i expected to be a goldcrest. However low down in the brambles at the side of the path was a single male firecrest looking very handsome splaying his golden yellow crest, piratical eyestripe and bronze wash to the shoulders . He flitted about for a few seconds before flying deeper into the undergrowth.