Cromwell Bottom today

Morning all
Usual walk with Les Midgley produced two decent sightings this morning. First large flock of Siskins of the winter were spotted in the Alders on the far canal bank on the deep water length opposite the top end of the ski lake. We counted around 50 birds in the flock. We also had the first big skein of geese passing over, around 200-250 of what Les thinks were Pink Feet. They were in 3 big "V" formations all together heading east which Les suggests is an unusual direction at this time of year.

Usual suspects for the time of year around showing well this morning despite the early gloom. Goosander number are now starting to build up with many more males now arriving. Cormorant's still in lowish numbers of under 10 most days. Still large numbers of Tufted on ski lake along with up to 5 Great Crested Grebes most days. Bullfinch now showing well and its unusual not to spot at least two or three groups of 4-6 birds. Large (20-30) flocks of mixed tits around most days, mainly long tailed, great and blue with the odd coal tit now and then. Peckers noticeable by their absence the last 10 days or so with only the odd sighting or calling bird heard. Jays seem to be around in much larger numbers this year ? I think that Jackdaws are now roosting in the quarry behind Butterly Bricks as I hear and see a few each morning when I nip up and top the feeders up on Tag Loop, not a bird I associate with CB.

Finally I found this interesting link to the collective nouns for groups of birds:
http://palomaraudubon.org/collective.html