Cholsey Marsh, 27th Jan

Made one of my rare visits to Cholsey Marsh today and did see a couple of Chiffchaff towards the railway.

Then spent 45 minutes watching buntings going to roost in the reed bed. Cold drove me away but not before, I estimated 85 Corn Buntings and 34 Reed Buntings.

Corn Buntings arriving first seemed to come from across the river whereas the later arrivals & the main groups from the Downs area. Some of my Reed Buntings could have been other species coming in, in ones and twos, but all the calls I heard were of Reed Buntings. There was also a single cry of a Water Rail. (per TR)