Amwell

 Just got back from Amwell-I have not been for a few weeks. The level crossing appears to be finished so access is back to normal.
Had a long chat with Bill as we have not seen each other for a long time. Phil eventually turned up, as did Simon briefly.
 The female Ringed Teal was in front of the watchpoint. I assumed it was a resident, but this is only the second sighting this year. There are three Smew, including a drake which were rather hard to pick up in the cold drizzle but did get a bit closer eventually. There is also an odd hybrid Baikal Teal type which i managed to glimpse before losing it behind the big island. The female Red Crested Pochard was at the southern end of Tumbling Bay.
 For a brief period we had a couple of Buzzards, Sparrowhawk and kestrel up but the weather deteriorated rapidly.
 The only other birds of note were the Oystercatcher pair back for their fourth year.

 Back home and its warmer with sunny spells and no rain. Chaffinch and Greenfinch are singing outside.