Time: 14:45 - 16:50.
WEATHER: Cool and slightly windy
Disruption caused by noise of RAF jets.
OK - cut straight to the chase, Katherine!
SHORT-EARED OWL hunting over flood banks and the realignment! My first sighting in over a year and BOY, was I glad the reserve was nearly deserted! I was so elated I started singing the Nolan Sisters hit 'I'm in the Mood For Dancing', whilst running around grinning like a mad thing, fists pumping the air with joy! Showed excellently for 15 minutes or so! An earthquake yesterday (which I thoroughly enjoyed and wasn't at all scared), a Short-eared Owl today, what tomorrow? A letter inviting me on to Springwatch?
Other species seen:
KINGFISHER - 1. Got better sighting of it today, flying near to that pumping building.
Shelduck - pairing up and courting. About 50
Mallards as usual
Tufted Duck - 4 M, 6 F
Goldeneye - pairing up and displaying - 6 F, 3 M
Wigeon - pairing and courting. About 200
Little Grebe - 20.
Moorhen - 6
Brent Geese - enormous flock on the new wetland
Canada Goose - usual
Greylag Goose - One with the Canada Geese
Black-headed Gull - mixture of winter / summer plumage.
Curlew - 1
Redshank - 30 dotted around
Ringed Plover - 1
Little Egret - 2
Magpie - 2
Wood Pigeon - usuals everywhere
Carrion crow - 15 in fields
Jackdaw - 2
'Feral' pigeons - usual group present
Pheasant - usual in fields. 1 F
Goldfinch - 2
Chaffinch - 3
Pied wagtail - 3
Tree Sparrow - 20
House Sparrow - 15
Mistle Thrush - 3
Blackbird - 10
Starling - 70
Robin - 2
Wren - 1
Great Tit - 1
Blue Tit - 1
Dunnock - 2
The resident Barn Owl was busy from 14:00 but I didn't see it. I am not lucky enough to see both species in one day! a SUPERB viewing of the Short-eared Owl though, and Kitty's happy today!
VERY BIG PLEAD TO THE MODERATORS - can my ejection from the Lincs Bird Club (owing to non-payment of membership fee) be put on hold for a couple of days? I am filling out the membership form and writing the cheque tonight, and will be in the post tomorrow. Is there any way I can pay for my membership over the phone or online? Pretty please with sugar, chocolate and cream on?
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