Cotswolds

26 Feb - A couple of recent late afternoon visits to the Cotswolds during the current fine, warm spell, to a well-known location for Short-eared Owls - the birds emerged both days about 4.30pm, giving good views in the late afternoon / evening sunlight, always exciting to watch with their charismatic slow floating, twisting flight. Two birds emerged within a few minutes of each other, both flying up to a post to preen and look around quizzically before setting off on hunting flight. The low light was excellent for highlighting the subtle mottled plumage of these popular birds. No sign of the Barn Owl which also frequents this area. Also seen - Red Kite, Buzzard, Kestrel, and a flock of c150 Golden Plovers.

Springlike in February.......

26 Feb - A quick revisit to Lower Mill on 25th, and the Yellow-browed Warbler still present and quite active in the sun, and calling occasionally - still impossible to photograph though, as hyperactive! A pair of Kingfishers chasing around at Lower Moor, thinking of nesting? Also Nuthatch, Green and Great Spotted Woodpeckers calling, and a Snipe on the island. Great crested Grebes displaying on several pits but none near enough for pics, although a nice golden light early in the morning. Reed Buntings all in song, thinking it is spring, hopefully they won't get too much of a shock when the weather returns to normal ? As it is forecast to do very soon .............

CWP Goldies

21 Feb - 4 Golden Plovers flew over Friday's Ham Lane this afternoon with a large Lapwing flock, my first in CWP this winter.

Blakehill

20 Feb - A pleasant late afternoon for a leg-stretch, SEO reported to me as present earlier, but not seen by me - small flocks winter Thrushes on the move, Meadow Pipit and Skylark calling. Also reported this week in the warmer weather is a passage of Stonechats, with up to 11 birds present. ?Spring movement?

Golden Eagles in Winter

15-19 Feb - A group trip to central Sweden to the long-established hides run by Conny Lundstrom, where his local Golden Eagles have been fed in the winter for quite a few years now, and up to 6 different birds are present in the area. It is an amazing set up, he has 2 heated hides overlooking a forest clearing where the Eagles come to feed most days (not guaranteeed!) on carrion placed for them. Transport through the snow-laden landscape is by 4 wheel drive, and optional snowmobile transport takes clients and camera bags to the hides - I preferred to walk through the peaceful forest. It's a long day in the hides as arrival is before dawn so that the Eagles don't see anyone in the area, and you are then in the hide til after dark, so 7am-5pm. We saw Eagles all 3 days, majestic birds and unbelievably big compared with the Magpies and Corvids that hop around them hoping for scraps while the Eagles are down feeding. The Golden Eagles generally land on a pine and survey the area, they are wary and cautious, before descending to feed for 30 mins or so. Their piercing eyes seem to look straight down the cameras lens, but the hide has reflective glass - we had sun, wild and falling snow during our 3 days, so could admire the birds in all light conditions - haughty stare, huge bill, Golden nape, and immense size especially in flight - some individual plumage variation between birds in the amount of white in the plumage, presumably related to age, with immature birds showing more white. An amazing experience to see Golden Eagles so close. During the hours in between their visits, an array of feeders provided entertainment - Willow Tits and Northern Bullfinches prominent, with noisy Jays and Great Spotted Woodpeckers also visiting, along with Grey-headed Woodpeckers that kept their distance. Accommodation and excellent food kept us warm, well worth the trip.

LEOs

14 Feb - or Long-eared Owls to birders, our rarest and most elusive Owl, very nocturnal unlike its Short-eared cousin. I’ve seen a few, but not for several years, and today I managed to tag on a visit to a well-known roost, it being warm and sunny so a good day for the birds to be visible. On arrival several people had the bushes in their scopes, and 2 birds were visible, quite in the open by LEO standards, with a third bird well hidden. I had time to admire the beautiful cryptic plumage, with the orange facial discs, obvious ear tufts and orange eyes which opened sleepily while one of the birds was preening and enjoying the sun. A very good opportunity to see the overall size, shape and plumage of this special bird - rather too distant for the camera unfortunately but excellent scope views. Also good numbers of Red Kites enjoying the weather, including a flock of 12 over a field being worked.

Shorncote

13 Feb - My first visit to Shorncote for a while, on a warm and sunny February morning with a hint of spring in the air, Skylarks, Song Thrushes and Reed Buntings all in song together with the explosive Cetti’s Warblers. A fairly productive visit - 2 Shelduck, 3 Green Sandpipers, a Snipe perched in the reeds, 170 or so Lapwings, a flyover Peregrine, and a surprising influx of 10 or so Greenfinches. 3 Yellowhammers, also unusual here, feeding in the fields with Redwings. Drumming Great Spotted Woodpeckers added to the impression that it was March, not February and supposed winter!

Urban Dippers

12 Feb - A morning walk at Frome Banks, Stroud, and after a bit of searching this unlikely urban stream, with its rough water and bridges, produced the expected pair of Dippers - excellent views, as they are very used to people here on the path. The male was singing perched on a mossy root, and both birds flying around and calling - surprisingly conspicuous and noisy when they do arrive on a section of the river, and difficult to miss. Also a male Grey Wagtail. Dippers are fairly early nesters so should be on view here for the next several months - I always notice when watching them how conspicuous their white eyelids are. Charismatic birds.

WWT Morning

10 Feb - A pleasant-enough morning at Slimbridge despite not seeing the Twitter that is currently being reported with the Linnet flock on the Dumbles, it is very mobile. The Jack Snipe has reverted to more usual behaviour just its head was visible on the island from Martin Smith - and very nice views of a Common Snipe near the Willow hide. 2 Peregrines perched out on the river edge and a carpet of birds on the Tack Piece, mainly waders (Lapwing, Golden Plover, Blackwits, Curlew) with Wigeon and Bewick’s Swans - an impressive sight and sound, especially when they take off and circle en masse when spooked.

Mainly Lower Moor ........

7 Feb - Another look-in at Lower Moor as a sunny milder morning and the lakes now unfrozen. Happily, the Kingfishers have returned immediately the open water reappeared, and one obligingly perched outside the hide as soon as I arrived, and allowed a few photos. No Otters seen, but I’ll try again someday....... And the YB Warbler still present !

Quick look at CWP

5 Feb - the redhead Smew still present on pits 28a/29 this morning, sadly no male yet despite the recent cold weather and easterlies. Good numbers of Goosander currently throughout the park, with a flock of no less than 23 birds on pit 56 at Neigh bridge. Also here, a flock of 20 or so Siskins feeding in the alders, a traditional site for them but the first I have seen this winter in the Water Park. A calling Nuthatch at Lower Moor, the only spot I know of for this species in CWP. The YB Warbler still present but typically elusive, and now 3 Short-eared Owls at Blakehill, perhaps an influx with the recent cold snap?

Winter Wonderland........

2 Feb - A taste of proper winter........ a day of heavy snowfall on 31 Jan, with 5-6” hitting the CWP area. The following couple of days gave sunshine and sparkling lying snow, especially on 2 Feb. BirdLife, and wildlife in general, obviously has a harder time in snow and freezing weather so becomes more visible. Blakehill gave views of not only late afternoon Short-eared Owl, but also a male Merlin presumably arriving to roost. The Jack Snipe at Slimbridge gave exceptional views in the open as its favoured island was largely frozen, bobbing in full sunshine with its own reflection! My best views ever of this species. The breeding-plumaged ducks and Bewick’s Swans were also resplendent in the winter light. The Barn Owl at Shorncote was also out in good sunlight as I expected, and looked superb as it quartered the field, the underparts lit by reflected light from the snow. It caught at least 2 voles in a short time. Interestingly, it is likely the same individual as I’ve seen there for a couple of years as it is carrying a metal ring. A beautiful couple of winter days, but not long-lasting enough to cause significant mortality amongst the small birds, judging from numbers.