Today began with an opportunity for a dawn visit to another Little Owl site, this time in the Weatheroak area. Once again I arrived at the tree and failed to see any Little Owls. This particular trail may be cold, I had sussed out the spot earlier this year with the help of another informant. Unfortunately no-one seems to have seen the bird this year. I'm afraid that the local Little Owl population, once perfectly healthy, seems to have declined to the point that it may not be sustainable.
This morning's plan was to also visit Earlswood, given the overnight rain. Unfortunately I hadn't banked on thick fog, so I diverted to Morton Bagot to renew my acquaintance with the local ringing group. I arrived shortly after they had set up and in time to watch them capture a Chiffchaff which they had last detained in 2023.
Unfortunately I had to head home after thirty minutes and neatly missed a Great White Egret which they all saw flying towards Studley.
Time to draw a line.
I returned to Morton Bagot for 09.00 and was joined by Dave. The ringers were still present but planning to pack up their stuff. Dave and I left them and walked straight into a female Hawfinch sitting on the top of a hedge 100 metres beyond where the ringers were trapping.
I dutifully texted them and returned to see if anyone wanted to see it. Unfortunately Dave reported it had flown off just as I reached them. Also present in the field were a pair of Common Toads caught in the act, as it were.
The weather remained misty and murky, the wind a light north-easterly. Things looked very promising as we made our way to the flash field. A Little Egret and a flock of at least 53 Meadow Pipits distracted us before we got there.
Once in position we immediately saw the six Avocets counted by John Chidwick yesterday as well as at least 19 Teal, several displaying Lapwings, and a Green Sandpiper. I had seen a Sparrowhawk flying across the field behind us and it may have been that which caused all the birds to fly around in panic. In amongst the melee I spotted a Swallow which Dave also managed to get on before it disappeared. This was about a week earlier than my previous earliest, although I notice that Earlswood has also recorded one this morning. Spring really is getting earlier.
As we made our way back we found more evidence of birds pausing their migration. A flock of 180 Starlings and at least 28 Fieldfares, 15 Redpolls and 25 Goldfinches. It is likely that all were in the early stages of a return to the north-east.
Today's weather has been responsible for the arrival of Kittiwakes, Sandwich Terns, and maybe much more on Midland reservoirs today. I've just heard that an Osprey has flown over Earlswood, but you can't be everywhere.
Quite a day.
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