Thursday 22 February 2018

There's something you don't see everyday....thankfully




















At WWT today, nice to be greeted by firstly a Sparrowhawk over the carpark, stirring up the Long-tailed Tits and secondly, Tony and Jean who I've not seen for ages. After a long chat we walked out to Woodland Loop with Terry but saw little. First of two or three Water Rails, one Peregrine in the usual spot, a couple of Snipe, a Red Kite, two Little Egrets and two Hawfinches plus a second Sparrowhawk.

A jaunt along the Mill Stream and Mill Road produced another Hawfinch, two male Bullfinches in the same place as last visit, two or three Lesser Redpolls and 50+ Common Gulls in the roadside day roost. A Water Vole was in the tennis courts access road ditch.

Nice cuppa and fruit cake on a sheltered and sunny bench at Swanbourne Lake.

Back in WWT three Firecrests and two Chiffchaffs, another Water Rail (pictured above), and 60+ Common Gulls. Chat with Geoff and Jez while failing to get a usable Firecrest picture. Whilst packing up in the restaurant the first Marsh Harrier flew in to roost; presumably followed by others.

Finally, just half a mile from home a totally naked jogger running down the pavement was a little bizarre!!