A bright sunny day with a cool W >4 and very little cloud in the blue skies.
A quick visit after work this evening to the old Queensbury railway station checking on the state of the usually common Gt Spotted and Green Woodpeckers but as in several other areas this year none were found. Is anyone else finding a shortage?
The station was alive with Swallows, House Martins and a few Swifts whilst Willow Warblers were singing hidden in the dense foliage.
A single Blackcap was singing but proved very elusive and rabbits were everywhere being chased around by at least 3 Hares.
LBB gulls flew overhead >NW and a single Snipe was up drumming.
14 Goldfinch
c6 Willow Warbler
1 Blackcap
11 LBB gulls
1 Snipe
Swallows, House Martins and Swifts
+ usual sp.
Thanks today to the young lady that called in the garage, Im sorry, I never asked your name, to report a pair of Tawny Owls that have successfully bred in the Oakworth area.
Three young are out of the nest but unfortunately one fell down and was picked up by someone by the roadside but still alive. The bird was placed over the wall but was missing shortly afterwards, possibly victim to a fox ?
Many thanks for taking the time to call in and for watching the blog, look forward to hearing from you again and a progress report of the owls.
One thing I should have mentioned, when Tawnys have young they can get very protective and one or two birders I know have talons scars on their scalp to prove it.
BS