More snow and return of the hybrid Tufted Duck

 A bit more snow fell overnight but the forecast is for more in the next 24 hrs. There was very little in the valley bottom but 2 or 3cm was present higher up. It's always nice to see birds with a snowy background and a took a few photos of some of our commoner birds.

Blue Tit

Great Tit

Robin

The hybrid drake Tufted x Pochard has returned to Bakewell, I first saw this bird on 2 February 2014 so it's at least 11 years old. Recently I think it has been at Ogston Reservoir but it's nice to see it back in Bakewell. It sometimes gets reported as a drake Scaup but which would be very rare locally.

Tufted x Pochard hybrid

There are still groups of gulls, mainly Black-headed with a few Common on the flooded fields but an adult Herring Gull put in an appearance yesterday in the fields between Darley Dale and Darley Bridge. 

Generally the Herring Gull is a rare winter visitor to the area, often just seen flying over the valley.

Herring Gull

First significant snowfall of the winter

There was not a flake of snow left on the A6 in Darley Dale this morning but just a 100m higher around Beeley Moor there was a good 6cm of fresh snow. Birds were few and far between but this Robin appreciated the food put out for him.
Still plenty of Common Crossbills on Flash Lane with a single flock of over 50 yesterday but I couldn't find them this morning. Several Brambling but the large flock on Bent Lane appears to have dispersed now.

Robin

Flash Lane in the snow

Last post of the year - Robin

There were plenty of Robins along Cromford Canal and a photo of a Robin in the snow, in sunshine, is a great way to finish the year I think.

Robin

Aberrations

James took this photo of, dare I say it, a white throated Robin yesterday at Swanwick - thanks to Ian for the location. It reminded me of the leucistic Coal Tit which is still at Carsington at the Lane End feeder having been first seen in October last year according to Roger. The Coal Tit was photographed by Ken.
Plumage aberrations in birds do not generally create a lot of interest although I think a few people have been to see the Coal Tit. 
Collecting aberrations used to be all the rage for butterfly collectors and still generates quite a bit of interest amongst entomologists.
I have struggled to see anything today but 200+ Brambling on Screetham Lane is a decent flock.

Leucistic Robin (James Butler)

Leicistic Coal Tit (Ken Smith)

Robin in the snow

It has snowed fairly consistently all day to day and I have just over 3 inches of snow in the garden. It does provide some great photo opportunties, like this Robin and it is ideal Foot It weather. At least on the basis that it's not going to be easy to drive anywhere, but it will be a challenge to find new species but I'll see how I get on. 
Still got the two gulls; Common and Lesser black-back, Peregrine, Kingfisher and Linnet to find and the adverse weather may push something more interesting in to the valley!

Robin in the snow

Robin wing flick

Pressed the shutter at just the right time to capture this Robin with its wings spread.

Robin