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Message: <blockquote data-quote="halftwo" data-source="post: 1680245" data-attributes="member: 45720">Woodcock, Fox, MinkZero centigrade this morning, and dull as ditchwater. John B and I went in search of Woodcock.Along the frozen canal the bank with fresh overnight snow turning treacherously slippy.At the sewage works several Pied wagtails, Meadow pipits and Chaffinches, plus one or two Reed buntings and a single Grey wagtail - all put up by a hunting Sparrowhawk.A Snipe went up from a ditch. A Kestrel flew off.Pushing through tall and snowy dead vegetation the Fox passed not far away - but JB didn't see it. Not long after that a Woodcock got up and flew from us - giving half-decent flight views. Along the river bank, another (or the same), took off to give slightly better views. Another Fox then passed JB - and moments later he spots a Mink - it works its way along the river's shore until quite close, then it hears us and turns back. A Kingfisher called but gave no view.Further on and a Little grebe submerges in the river, a flock of Goldfinches feeds in the alders and a Greater 'pecker joins a tit flock  - giving a call neither of us have ever heard before - it was a softish "wey wey wey" or "hee ee ee". Another Sparrowhawk and the finches fly - and by now I could no longer feel my toes: time to go.</blockquote>