March 7th 2008

Not been to valley for a couple of days so left early in blustery damp conditions hoping this weather front may have brought down any early migrants - wishful thinking on my part but one has hope. Barn Owl flying across the A45 towards Willoughby and another two hunting there usual field but again could not find any Long-eared Owls so they may have gone. Pair of Stonechats showed well hunting from a fence post and there were 9 Hares in the area along with 8 Golden Plover flying over with one in summer plumage, 3 Buzzards, 4 Raven, 6 Yellowhammer, Red-legged Partridge and Green Woodpecker. Two Siskin over Woodbine Farm and 6 Wigeon went east. Another Raven and Buzzard along the Hill Rd but no sign of Sunday’s Golden Plover flock. Taking one of the many footpaths out of Grandborough I managed to find Teal, Kingfisher, Common Gull 4 and Grey heron 2 on one of the fishing Pools.
Back home the garden feeders were busy till next door hung his long johns out and they never returned. Brambling 4, Siskin, House Sparrow, Wood Pigeon 3, Magpie 2, Bullfinch 4 along with the usual Blue & Great Tit, Hedge Sparrow, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Robin and Blackbird plus Rook, Crow, Jackdaw, Collard Dove, Black-headed & Common Gull, Lapwing and Sparrowhawk in my air space (I lend it to the government) and a Bumblebee sp.
Down to Pond in the afternoon with Dave for coffee and cake. On arrival we had 4 Raven together which are a site record count for me and the walk to toft bay produced Goosander 5, Goldeneye 16, Pochard 16, Teal 10, Wigeon 120 and 40+ Meadow Pipits on farborough bank. Looks like the pots going to get stirred up a bit with the weather fronts that are due over the next few days so hang on to your bins it could be good (more hope) especially gulls as we have had Ring-billed and Bonaparts in the past. Not sure if I can get there tomorrow night so next definite roost I will do will be the 11th (Tuesday), if you want to join me your welcome but you might get wet. Contact me by email richard.mays1@btinternet.com

Richard