A chillier night – the first time for some while since the temperature dropped below 5’C – but again no stars or moon to admire, however the Tawny Owls were out calling their familiar ‘Twit’ and Twoo’ from their perches in the trees, despite much searching I was unable to find the one that seemed to be directly above me in a small tree with no hiding place!
A fresh easterly breeze blowing across the Bay, where a couple of Shags were bobbing in the water, and soaring above was a Buzzard. It is not often we see Buzzards first thing in the morning – I’ve always through of them as late to rise! – so watching this large bird circling above the landslip was a treat.
A little later a Peregrine Falcon whizzed across the sky, possibly chasing the flock of Feral Pigeons which had passed by a few moments before.
In the woods, no snow yet, but the large round white balls of the Snowberry adding white to the otherwise very brown look of the dead leaves and bare trees.
Flitting amongst the twigs of a Black Poplar were a couple of Goldcrests, these tiny little birds providing a constant movement making good views almost impossible. However I was able to spot the orange striped head and white flashes on the wings.
A loud squawk and a Jay emerged from the Black Pine, almost floating down towards the Holly, the burst of blue from its wing and buffy-pink body with the white rump -stunning really.
Adding more action to the area the Grey Squirrels, some looking very fat, either puffed against the cold up or well fed! Great views as three of them scampered and frolicked up the trunks of the Holm Oaks.
A few thrushes about, with a Song Thrush perched on the branch of an Ash, its spotted chest easy to see, and a couple of Redwings in the Hawthorn.