February 15th 2008

My first Lesser Redpoll for the garden this century when it joined four Siskin and three Brambling's on the feeders.
Dave had to cancel our Friday coffee and cake session at the pond so decided to look for owls late afternoon/evening in the valley. Napton reservoir had a very showy Cetties Warbler, Kingfisher, Lesser Redpoll 2, Water Rail and male Shoveler amongst the Mallard and Coot. First Barn Owl of the evening was out hunting by 4:15pm over the paddocks along the entrance road to reservoir so I then moved to Calcutt where two more Barn Owls showed at 5pm along with a couple of Ravens and a Jay. Hoping to get there in time I moved on to the Long-eared site and saw a Peregrine over Broadwell and managed to be in time for two more Barn owls just as light went so then waited in the cold for a any Leo’s. Heard Raven, Red-legged Partridge going over and eventually had what looked like the Long-eared Owl flying over road in front of me at 7pm. Gave it longer in case it returned but as temperature dropped I gave up for a long cold traffic busting bike ride home.

Richard