A little snow for a little while!

Hello

A wet and for a while a snowy morning gave way this afternoon to dryer and milder conditions.

Ravens were seen again today at Scaldwell and Hanging Houghton and the Brampton Valley below Hanging Houghton was good for two pairs of Stonechats and four Bramblings. A freshly-predated Barn Owl was found dead at Blueberry Farm, Maidwell.

An adult Yellow-legged Gull was at the south end of Pitsford Reservoir today and an adult Caspian Gull, a Great White Egret and five Stonechats were all seen at Hollowell Reservoir.

A single White-fronted Goose was seen at Summer Leys LNR today with Greylag Geese and there were two Great White Egrets present too.

A map of Deene Lake has now been completed and added to the Birdwatching Sites Map tab and Neil H is working on other county locations.

Regards

Neil M

Lesser Black-backed Gull -
adult in winter plumage.

Cormorant in nuptial plumage - 
reflecting the early breeding of
this species. Image courtesy of
Robin Gossage.

Female Green Woodpecker - 
note the defective upper mandible. I'm
not sure if this follows an injury or
whether this bird was hatched with this
defect. Image courtesy of Robin
Gossage.

Ring-necked Parakeet.
 Media reports suggest that DEFRA are
 planning to destroy satellite populations
 of this species outside London, as it is 
considered by some to be an invasive,
pest species. Image courtesy of Robin
Gossage.