SUNDAY.

It was one of those days when you wonder if its all worth while. I made a fairly early start this morning wandering around the high land beyond the Wall Farm wetland and looked down on the pools from afar. I soon found the female Hen Harrier quartering some rough land and then it went to ground and I couldn't see it. I left it and carried on stopping in various positions to look towards the wetland. There were plenty of Rooks and a large flock of Jackdaws about, maybe 200. I found a large flock of Linnets where I have often seem them from the hide. This time they were close up some 150 birds with a few Greenfinch thrown in.

I found a fast flying Peregrine dashing amongst a large flock of Woodpigeons but it din't seem to have any serious intentions.

At the hide the weather was very dull and visibitliy bad. Plenty of Teal about as usual and a lone female Shoveler appeared from nowhere. Two Mute Swans flew overhead. Plenty of Fieldfares around but not the flocks we had seen some weeks back.

The field beyond the wetland is now ploughed and by the end of the morning 200 Lapwing had gathered here but no Golden Plover.

At around 1.00pm the female Hen Harrier reappeared flew in to the marsh from the left, disturbed a Snipe and then returned to the place where the Snipe have been to settle in pouring rain. It sat here for 45 minutes just watching, head turning constantly. Long enough for Pete to come through the hide door!!

It eventually took off flew a short distance and attemped an attack at something it had seen in a clump of rushes. It didn't catch anything. It eventually settled again in a grassy area in better view than its previous position. Despite the now heavy rainfall, overcast skys and prehibitive distance I managed a few shots through the scope. Here is the best.

A large flock of some 80 Black headed Gulls flew in mid morning to wash in the pools.

Other Birds today: Pied Wagtail, Goldfinch, Greater Spotted Woodpecker, Yellow Hammer, Skylark, Redwing, Mallard, Moorhen, Grey Heron, Stock Dove, Buzzard, Kestrel, Carrion Crow, Blackbird.

Pete and Martin heard the Water Rail Calling later on today.

MONDAY & TUESDAY - Martin Grant & Pete Jordan -Hen Harrier female seen again

WEDNESDAY - Jon Lloyd - Pools frozen over, lots of Teal standing around with cold feet together with a pair of Wigeon. Late afternnon visit did not produce the Hen Harrier but a nice crisp walk in brilliant clear sun light and then great moon rise (photo) and sunset .

THURSDAY

 

FRIDAY

SATURDAY