After a long break, lasting most of 2020, I was delighted to be able to visit my favourite nature reserve this morning. The weather was ideal, clear and bright with no wind. Much of the water was frozen over as can be seen from my first shot of black headed gull near the Visitor Centre.

In the brambles near the visitor centre I spotted a small bird with a sharp beak scurrying about. I managed one clear shot which enabled a fellow birder to identify it as a Chiffchaff some of which, like blackcaps, are overwintering in the UK. Later, by the Trent I saw several Bullfinches – this is a male.

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As I was walking alongside the Trent large flock of geese flew honking loudly up the river and made their way to the Clifton Pond. I thought these might be some of the Pink Footed Geese that have been reported in the area. However they look more like Greylags to me but it was thrilling to see such a huge flock