As is normal during the winter, the potholes on the approach to our car park have gradually got worse, so here's some good news - work will start on repairs next week. At the moment I can't be more specific regarding the date or the extent of closure, but I will post those details when I have them.

A few migrants have been evident in recent days. One or two chiffchaffs have been seen, if not heard (too cold?), flocks of fieldfares and starlings have passed over, and a female pintail (a Fowlmere rarity) has been here for several days.

The barn owls have become more visible in their nest box; the best time to see them is early on a sunny morning, when they like to bask in the sun in the entrance to the box.