SUNDAY. Last night was very clear, great for star spotting! This morning the farm was very busy with large numbers of thrushes in the hedges. I counted over 20 Blackbirds, 2 Song Thrushes and 12 Redwings (first for the year) in one flock in a Hawthorn Hedge near the farm. There also seemed to be more small birds around, including several large flocks of Goldfinch, smaller flocks of Chaffinch and the odd Greenfinch.

The Hen Harrier is still about. I probably would have missed it if it hadn't been for a passing Helicopter!! It is still in much the same area. In the field behind the pools there have been large numbers of Skylarks this last week or two. The female Hen Harrier likes to harry these as she passes over this field. She eventually settled amongst a very weedy field having risen and glided a number of times chasing small birds in amongst the dock seed heads.

The Sparrowhawks were busy this morning chasing Mistle Thrush out of a Rowan Tree and later a low flying female sent a Snipe zipping off from the pool.

No sign of that Water Rail that everybody seeing except me but found this rather splendid Shaggy Ink Cap in roadside hedge.

MONDAY. Short Eared Owl in the field behind the pool, 10 Pintail and a flock of 200 Skylark.

TUESDAY. Peregrine

WEDNESDAY. Grey Wagtail, Swallows still moving through.

THURSDAY. Stonechat, Kinfisher, Swallows and Hen Harrier again.

FRIDAY. Hen Harrier. Seven Mute Swans

SATURDAY. Great morning. Frosty and bright. Water Rail calling on the pools and Kingfisher dashing by. Sixty Canada Geese lifted from the pool as I approached. The Tawny Owl was safely back in its roost by dawn. Lots of Redwings overhead. Skylark numbers still up.Raven and Black Headed Gulls fell out in a spectacular chase and dive session. Large flocks of Lesser Black Backs moving across the dawn sky.

I still can't get used to seeing Ravens locally but they are now a regular feature here abouts. Still another good week and who knows what will turn up, after the promised bad weather, next week!!