A sunny and mild winter's day

Hello

Locally perhaps the most pleasant weather day of the year with mild temperatures, low wind speeds and plenty of sunshine. There were numerous sightings in the county of butterflies on the wing including Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock, Red Admiral and Brimstone.

Birdwise nothing new of particular interest was found but long-stayers included the Glossy Ibis at Summer Leys LNR again, up to nine White-fronted Geese and a Pink-footed Goose in meadows in the Nene Valley below Cogenhoe and Whiston and the drake Smew was still at Clifford Hill Pits.

After an absence the single Short-eared Owl turned up on private land near Maidwell this morning and a Woodcock was at Blueberry Farm, Maidwell. At least one Raven was very noisy at Hanging Houghton today and two Reed Buntings were taking seed in the garden. A singing Chiffchaff was in a Scaldwell village garden.

In Bucks the Richard's Pipit remains at Newport Pagnell.

Regards

Neil M

Refurbished and reinstated
Tawny Owl boxes on the
Kelmarsh Estate.

Blue Tit courtesy
of Tony Stanford.

Robin courtesy of
Kenny Cramer.

 Mostly under the radar many of these
birds are moving around
as winter relinquishes it's
grip and spring draws nearer. 

Brown Hare at
Harrington Airfield.