Some winter birds

I've spotted a few interesting things recently. The cold weather seems to have emboldened many animals.

I spotted this small flock of Siskin (Carduelis spinus) at Cromford Canal in Derbyshire just after Christmas. First of this species I have ever seen. With all the big lakes frozen at Watermead the rarer ducks have been forced onto the canal making them easier to see.

A male (top) and female (bottom) Goosander (Mergus merganser) in the canal. A drake Teal (Anas crecca) in its lovelly winter colours.

And this Little Grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis) is the first I've seen down at Watermead.

Slightly further afield I spotted this Red Kite (Milvus milvus) at Eyebrook Reservoir over in Rutland.