A flying visit this evening and lots to see with the main highlight being the "dark-coloured" Short-eared Owl on his favourite post. In fact you don't even have to walk up to the fields, as it can be seen from the patio steps of the Bird Observatory, albeit several hundred metres away.
Also about a male Sparrowhawk that has been visiting the local area over the past few days, 3 Kestrels, 2 Buzzards, 7 Skylarks in a tight flock and the resident Grey Heron.
Here are a few very dodgy photos in mega lowlight.
Just to the right of the Higher Lighthouse and below the horizon...............
...........a Short-eared Owl is sat on a post.
The bird watchers have no idea it's there until.......
.........one eagle-eyed lady spots it.
......though a long lens or scope would be needed to see it close up as it sits on its favourite post.
In the Crown Estate Fields the "resident" Grey Heron.
Penns Wood and Church Ope Cove
A much colder day, but at least it was another dry one. Main highlights today were the 2 Black Redstarts and a Chiffchaff at the cove. Elsewhere 2 Goldcrests in Penns Wood. On the negative side, no Stonechat, Grey Wagtail or the other Chiffchaff seen at the cove.
Also on the beach 2 Rock Pipits which were joined by 4 other birds. Still a few Wrens about and 2 Carrion Crows flew in and started scavenging in amongst the seaweed.
Overhead one of the resident Kestrels.
On the Hebes behind the beach huts 2 Buff-tailed Bumblebees.
Here are a few images and a couple of shaky videos (must remember to take a tripod next time) from this afternoon:
Black Redstart Number One.
Black Redstart number One.
Black Redstart Number Two. A "fluffier" bird than the Number 1.
And Black Redstart number Two.
My one and only grab shot of a Chiffchaff behind the huts on the north cliff.
The male Pied Wagtail on his favourite rock.
One of the 6 Rock Pipits on the beach today.
Birds Recorded this afternoon: 1 Kestrel, Herring Gull, Wood Pigeon, 6 Rock Pipit, 1 Pied Wagtail, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Wren, Dunnock, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Goldcrest, 2 Black Redstart, Robin, Blackbird, Great Tit, Blue Tit, House Sparrow, Chaffinch and Goldfinch.
Ships Today
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On this day..........
2018Today's Sightings Here