A bit of all Twite

The Twite that Carl found in the Spalford pig fields last Sunday continued to be seen during the week (with up to 4 reported at one point), and given that I've not seen this species in Notts before, I decided to go and see them this morning. Finding the correct spot - some mugwort along a track near a disused tanker, next to Wigsley Road, I quickly located one, and then two birds, with a couple each of Linnet and Goldfinch. Nice. In addition, a Green Sand called from the middle of the site.

Twite above, Linnet below

2 Linnet (left) and 2 Twite (right)

Here be Twite

A look at Spalford Pit was then in order, but there was no sign of the female Ring-necked Duck that Carl also found last Sunday. I also checked out North Pit (1 Redshank), the A1133 Pit and the Sailing Lake at Girton Pits, but again no sign; there was a marked reduction in the number of wildfowl present Tufties especially) compared to last week. 

Collingham Pits were fairly quiet, not helped by the fact that I spent an hour in the hide at Mons Pool failing to hear the Cetti's Warbler which was heard again from the reedbed earlier in the week by Ken Lomas - this bird was first found at the start of October, so I need to get my finger out and get it on my Patchwork Challenge list soon! Also present were 2 Green Sands (Ferry Lane Lake), 2 Curlew and 3 Redshank (Silt Lagoon), and 1 Dunlin (heard in flight over Mons Pool). The Tree Sparrow flock in the wild bird strip on the far side of the field west of Mons Pool numbered around 35 today, which was great to see.