January 3rd 2008

Out before the milkman, coalman and candle stick maker checking on off road owl sites in the grandborough valley. Absolutely freezing, colder than cold - enough to loose your bits in a very strong north easterly wind.

Sawbridge
Two Barn Owls and a Little Owl in an old barn just outside of village.

Grandborough Fields farm
Barn Owl hunting, Stonechat immature feeding at the side of road and two Ravens overhead (struggled to see Barn Owl in December and now have 5 in three days)

Draycote Water
Intended to work the place to boost my year list up and get some database counts but never expected the triple whammy that was dealt me. Having seen the Lesser Scaup first winter male in toft, the male Smew. a few Redpoll & Siskin in toft shallows I passed the sewage farm to count the Canada Geese and found two White-fronted Geese and a Jack Snipe amongst them. One was extensively marked with heavy barring on chest so possible greenland race but will need to look that up. Continuing to valve tower I had Raven, first winter Yellow-legged Gull and Shelduck female. After a coffee break received a call from JJ regarding a Long-tailed Duck in toft so doubled back with Bob Duckhouse and blow me down there it was off farnborough spit tho distant. It was very active feeding every few minutes and we got so cold that we did not hang around to age it. From the views obtained it might be a first winter male. This is my 12th record here and the last was a first winter male which over wintered in 2002/3.
After a warming up in cafe I stayed for the roost and while finding 3 adult and 2 first winters Yellow-legged Gulls and one adult Caspian Gull I noticed a bird amongst the many Black-headed Gulls and it was a Fulmar showing a greyish cast on face lighter than crown becoming more washed out on chest and flanks. Possiblie has a bit of 'northern' in its genes. Not sure if it had arrived earlier and had been overlooked (went past Long-tailed twice with out seeing it)or came in to roost but certainly a strange record. My last records of Fulmar was also in January and September of 2004 and is my 6th record. Also seen were Snipe, Kingfisher, Great-spotted & Green Woodpecker, Goldcrest and many of the more commoner species. Magical end to a stunning day with three species seen that I did not record here in 2007.

Richard