Some January Highlights
A bit of time this month spent looking for Short Eared Owls, this is the best time to look for these beautiful birds.
I certainly struck lucky on the three afternoons I went looking finding 4 birds on one hill, what a great way to end a cold winters afternoon.
Also lots of Raptors seen this month included Marsh Harrier, Hen Harrier, Buzzards, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk and 2 Peregrine Falcon Displaying over my head. Also a single Merlin, Barn Owl and Tawny owl not a bad selection.
This is also the best time to check out some of the larger bodies of water as there is usually big numbers of wildfowl around. All species seen in high numbers included Pintail, Wigeon, Teal, Gadwall, Pochard, Tufted duck and Shoveller along with smaller numbers of Goosander, Goldeneye, Red Crested Pochard and a surprise male Mandarin mixed in with a flock of Tufted duck. Other birds seen included Great white Egret, Little Egret the odd fly past from Kingfishers and both Green and Great spotted Woodpeckers where seen.
Most of our common local birds have started singing on sunny days with the highlight being a nice Song Thrush belting out from the treetops.
I did venture out on one particular cold and frosty morning to look for Water Rail as the lakes had frozen over in the night, not disappointed I managed to see 5 of this very secretive bird some given very close views.
Nice to see big groups of Snowdrops out in flower also.
