March 8th 2012

We had a peregrine fest this morning at the pond. The first a small individual flew north over toft bay flushing all the duck and 10 minutes later as some of the duck tried to return a large female took out a male Pochard in mid-air. She struggled to keep alight with her bounty and just managed to make the shoreline of grays barn with the duck still alive though after a couple of hard pecks she finished it off and started feeding. A couple of Buzzards successfully flushed her off a couple of times but she remained close and eventually saw them off. Later from farnborough bank 2 more Peregrine (differences in plumages with one having a primary feather missing from left wing) were hunting over the valley.
The only other highlight of our visit was the dramatic increase in Goldeneye numbers with 88 counted (32 male) though once the peregrines and fishermen appeared they dispersed.
Also noted were 14 Goosander, 36 Pochard, 26 Wigeon, 40 Teal, 8 Gadwall, 40 Fieldfare, 10 Redwing, 18, Buzzard, 3 Sparrowhawk and 30 Meadow Pipit.

Dave and I had a Barn Owl perched on Lawford Heath on our way back from the pub this evening.

Richard