Monday January 2 - Unfinished business

 A sunny calm day passed without me setting foot outdoors....until just before 16.00 when I decided to return to Morton Bagot to try to see the Barn Owl.

Walking down from the road, along the Millennium Way, you reach a small metal gate. Step through that and you are faced with the Pool Field. There is no need to go any further.

The top pool, bordered by reed-mace

A pleasant 45 minutes was spent counting Pied Wagtails as groups of them flew in, and eventually dropped into the reed-mace bordering the top pool and a smaller one nearby. I counted 52 individuals which comfortably beats my previous record count for the site.

Eventually the Barn Owl appeared, although it spent most of its time out of sight, quartering the Chat Field. The hedgerows were also occupied by numerous thrushes; Redwings, Song Thrushes, and Blackbirds which were also trying to roost.

The evening was to have one final twist. Driving home I spotted a Woodcock as it banked prior to landing (probably) in fields at Haye Pasture near the Dog Island.