There was a sudden change in weather last week with cool chilly condition descending on to the reserve. However this has not lasted long and we are now back in to exceptionally mild weather. I was hoped that the cold snap would see some winter movement of birds southwards but as the weekend approached this did not happen and it is turning to a very quiet January in regards to birds.
The Spoonbill continues to do what spoonbills do best and that is sleeping, accompanied by the Great Black Backed Gulls. Other than that the Dartford Warbler down the West Side continues to be sporadically reported as are a few Short-eared Owls both at Church Norton and the North Fields. Out at Medmerry there has been 2 Spoonbills near the breach and the Black Redstart is still at the rocks at the south of the reserve along with some Stonechats.
Black Redstart (above) and Med Gull (below)
However despite things being very slow it is still worth watching our regular visitors. A kestrel was observed on a hunt at very close quarters.
A Kestrel hunt
The Warden, RSPB Crook of Baldoon