06:40-15:30. Cloudy start with a cold Fresh NNE wind decreasing and veering to a light SE by midday with brighter conditions. No rain.
Got out to Sharp Tor for first light but vis mig did not happen. Several Song Thrushes and Blackbirds calling on the way out and a single Redwing. The bottom of Starehole was fairly sheltered and held at least 6 Ring Ouzels though I think there may have been double that present. Also single Fieldfare. Elsewhere Grey Heron, Grey Wagtail, 2 Wheatears ( airfield ), Garden Warbler ( Starehole ), 10 Blackcaps, 13 Chiffchaffs, Yellow-browed Warbler ( long stayer East Soar Willows, not seen but very vocal ), 9 Goldcrests, 2 Firecrests , ( Starehole and East Soar Ponds ) and 2 Siskins.
Walking up from the bottom of Starehole Valley a crake/rail flushed from the bracken and dived back in quickly. I reckon it was probably a Corncrake but to brief to be 100%. Spent some time walking around where it landed but nothing doing. It was on the stream side of the path about 30 metres down from the large rock you can sit on and watch the ouzels from if anyone is there tomorrow and fancies checking it out.
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