With a slow start to the year and some very mixed weather we have edged our way to 77 species for the month. The best bird was a first winter Caspian Gull that was recorded on two separate occasions. The Gulls pattern is very odd with 400+ gulls in on certain roosts then just a handful the following evening. Whether it's the shooting in the day that's effecting their loyalty or something else, we will just have to monitor closely.
Wildfowl numbers have been down overall perhaps for the same reason. Shoveler numbers have topped 50 again with a handful of Wigeon & Pochard that seem to commute to other local pools. The Greylag and Canada geese flocks seem to be have split up and we are still trying to find something different that might have joined the flocks.
In terms of raptors , a female Merlin has been regularly hunting which has been spectacular to see whilst two Peregrines, Kestrel & Common Buzzards have also been observed. There have been no Owl sightings this year as of yet.
The following two Sundays, both myself and Jon have connected with Jack Snipe near the central lagoon. I'm still determined to get a photo of one at site but you almost have to step on them to find them.
The orchards and hedgerows are still full of Fieldfare & Redwings whilst there does appear to be very good number of Chaffinches this year. Yellowhammers are split between flocks to the east in orchards & hedgerows in Broom.
Other useful additions during the month have included an adult Yellow-legged Gull and a flock of Golden Plover.
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