New Year 2018

Jan 1 - I managed to get out for part of the day to get my 2018 list off to a start, although the best bird of the day was on our regular walk in Cirencester Park - the 2 Hawfinches I saw in October surfaced again, this time they landed in view and I saw them perched at reasonable distance - alas, without the camera. Marsh Tit, Grey Wagtail and Jay also seen in the park. A quick look round CWP gave a lot of expected ticks for 2018 - Shorncote was productive as usual, highlights being 9 Little Egrets on the floods, 4 Water Rails and 3 Cetti's Warblers calling, Stonechat, Chiffchaff, Reed Bunting, Bullfinch and Meadow Pipit. Also a Fox carrying prey in broad daylight! Surprisingly, all the Shovelers present last week had vanished, probably as there is a lot more floodwater around at the moment. An Avocet at Eysey would be an excellent bird, but may be an escape from Bristol Zoo - I am awaiting a response from them as to the red ring on the birds right leg. Finally, late afternoon a few miles north in the Cotswolds produced 2 Red Kites, and views of Barn Owl and Short-eared Owl, but not til it was almost dark. 79 species logged in total.