23rd-25th February

In-between the storms, wind and rain we are getting the occasional 'spring' like day with the 25th particularly pleasant as Lapwings launched into full display and there was a trickle of Skylarks south over the Observatory. Black-headed Gulls have also increased in number, 26 being logged on 24th, the first adult Lesser-black backed Gull was at Kirbest on 25th while both juvenile Glaucous Gulls were seen again on 24th, with the 'south' individual on 25th. A few weeks ago we suspected there to be a second Greenland White-fronted Goose present when a juvenile with a more advanced white 'blaze' was seen regularly near Holland House. At the time we put this down to development of the original bird, but that individual was seen again at Greenwall (minus the white blaze) on 24th, with bird 2 near Holland again on 25th. The 7 Barnacle Geese remain, as does the Woodpigeon, the Grey Plover and 70 Snow Buntings were at the south end on 25th. A Peregrine, 2 Merlin's plus at least 2 Hen Harriers performed frequent fly-bys, including a rather un-streaked looking, bright orange below juvenile male we've been trying to (unsuccessfully) photograph for some weeks now....



Barnacle Geese

Hooded Crows