Fishers Green & the Lee Valley Farms, 8th November 2021

With Winter visitors starting to arrive and reports of Brambling, it was time for a trip to the Lee Valley to see what was around. The Brambling would be up by the farms but firstly, a quick walk to the Bittern Information point. The resident Great Crested Grebes were in evidence on the flood relief channel.

Always a good place for Grey Heron, and I couldn't resist a few shots.

From the Viewpoint a pair of Shoveler were active.

It was my first visit to the new Information Centre, and an impressive building! However a brief stay revealed no sign of either the wintering Bittern or a Water Rail. Back outside, a Kingfisher whizzed up the river without perching. So, up to the farms and a lone Pheasant showing off its colours.

Another birder heading back said it was very quiet, so I was not hopeful, but almost immediately a couple of Meadow Pipits perched up.

Further on there was a lot of small birds calling with a large flock mostly high up in a Willow tree. The majority of these seemed to be Chaffinch.

There were a few Reed Buntings, but no sign of any Yellowhammers. I did manage however to get some shots of Linnets.

The flock was always moving and most of the time the birds were either feeding in the set aside or perched up in cover. Eventually I managed to pick out at least two Brambling and managed to get a record shot.

With the light improving and a lot of patience one bird perched up closer, but still partially obscured.

It was good to finally get a decent view of this cracking bird and to top it off on the way back, a female Stonechat perched up for some shots as well!