Tuesday 7 February 2017

Duck catchup

Yesterday was a duck catch up day with the six Scaups (2 males) and two Velvet Scoters off Brownwich, both new for the year. Six Common Scoters were joined by four others and nearby about 60 Great crested Grebes. The Eider flock, very distant, was about 30 strong although one lone male did come in much closer.
The Long tailed Duck, present earlier, must have headed further towards Hook.

On the reserve just two Marsh Harriers.

At Portsdown a first visit for the Little Bunting drew a blank, just Reed Buntings, several Buzzards a good flock of Linnet (60+) and similar numbers of winter thrushes, mostly Fieldfare.

A Sparrowhawk was chased down the road by a crow.

A return today was much the same although twenty or more Skylarks were airborne and three Roe Deer were out feeding in a distant field. On of today's Buzzards was a very plain, dark individual. And again, no LB!!