January 20th 2011

I woke early and tried the Grandborough valley with the temperature dropping to -6c by dawn. Unfortunately I struggled to find any Barn Owls at the three regular sites I would have expected them but Little Owls fared better with single birds seen at Grandborough and Napton on the Hill and Tawny Owls heard at Grandborough and Napton Reservoir. There are still hundreds of Fieldfare and Redwing around and Bullfinches have certainly survived the cold spell with 5 at Broadwell, 11 Napton Reservoir and 6 on Napton on the Hill plus single birds seen elsewhere. Other interesting birds found were Water Rail and Cetties Warbler at Napton Reservoir and 8 Raven from Napton on the Hill churchyard looking towards Priors Hardwick. Also in the valley were 14 Skylark, 3 Goldcrest, 3 Jay, 2 Tree Sparrow, 19 Yellowhammer, Grey Wagtail, 16 Long-tailed Tit, 2 Great-spotted Woodpecker and 2 Sparrowhawk. Animals included female Muntjac, 2 Fox and 5 Hare.
Golden Plovers have been thin on the ground this winter on the patch so good to get a call from Dennis and Paul regarding 14 near the Fosse monument.

Richard