February 9th 2008

Very long day out in the field. Out at five down the valley managing 5 Barn Owls at two locations, 2 Long-eared Owls, 2 Little Owls and earlier not far from home I had a Tawny Owl go over just outside Dunchurch. Good weather kept me in valley all morning picking up Red-legged Partridge 8, Raven 2, Tree Sparrow 16, Buzzard 3, Sparrowhawk, Snipe 2, Long-tailed Tit 12 and Yellowhammer 5. Pint and pie then on to pond, as predicted every buggy from mothercare was out - place was heaving so never bothered with Lesser Scaup and met up with Kevin for a quick coffee then on to hensborough bank for roost. Many of the larger gulls were coming in early probably because of the local tips being closed but they were distant so hard work. In all there were 19 of us doing roost including Hall brothers, John, Gareth, Tom and a few I don't know. Never seen so many gull watchers on site and eventually the Kumlein's located around 4pm and Glaucous Gull first winter later on. Only another gull of note was a Yellow-legged Gull adult and there were a couple of candidates for first winter Caspian but light going. Four Pipistrelle between hensborough and toft bank. Stayed out late to watch a glorious sunset then study the constellations finding Cancer, Leo and Hyydra among the more common ones. Mars and Saturn also seen. Home and received messages that a female Peregrine was on the deck near Grandborough and a Barn Owl hunting at 4pm at a location I don’t often visit in valley.

Richard