Thursday 11 December 2014

A blustery SW wind blew variable amounts of cloud across the sky this morning, but at least it was dry and bright again.

My visit lasted a little under 3 hours, but there wasn't too much to excite, the male KESTREL was seen hunting over the Ashes Lane Fields, where the MEADOW PIPIT flock of around 20 birds was still present. A a pair of SPARROWHAWKS sparred with each other overhead whilst I was at the lakes, where again it was just a case of seeing a few MALLARDS, MOORHENS the COOT pair and the the MUTE SWAN family, no Kingfisher today or Grey Heron.

I eventually crossed paths with the LONG TAILED TIT flock in the Scrubby Woods, but only a pair of GOLDCRESTS were seen with them, at least 4 BULLFINCH were also seen as I walked the area, plus the GREAT SPOTTED and GREEN WOODPECKERS called. A party of 8 FIELDFARE flew over, the only winter thrushes seen today.

Heading over to the Greenhouse Grounds and Migrant Alley via the Ashes Lane Fields a GREY HERON was seen flying over towards the lakes, it was late today!  The GREENHOUSE GROUNDS had little to offer today, but there were a flock of a dozen GOLDFINCH in the Alders, with them were 3 SISKINS (59) the first of the month  :-)

Out on the sheep pasture and paddocks of Migrant Alley there were around 40 WOODPIGEON, 60 ROOKS, 150 STARLINGS and 30-40 BLACK HEADED GULLS, a COMMON BUZZARD flew over, plus a few PIED WAGTAILS chased about, not much to write about today, but the months list is moving again and has now reached 8th place out of the 13 Decembers recorded  :-)

Photo's today are of the Little Owls I saw yesterday in the Greenhouse Copse.

Its difficult to obtain an uncluttered image

It allowed me to try a few different angles, but there were still sticks in the way

I took a few more shots and left the Owl to snooze in the warm sun  :-)


1 comment:

Marc Heath said...

Very nice shots Warren. Would like to get near one to get a few shots for myself.