It's one of those wonderful crisp and frosty, sunny winter mornings that are perfect for getting wrapped up and getting out to enjoy. The reserve is looking stunning as I look out of the window of the office-I'll try to get out later!
The whole suite of regular seasonal birds have been seen at The Lodge this week; siskins (in low numbers), redpolls (larger numbers- flocks of 30-50), just a few bramblings- (mainly just across the road on Sandy Heath), in trees and on the crops near the paddocks, ravens, redwings, woodcock, bullfinch, and again on Sandy heath, at least two stonechats and the regular little owls on the quarry. Still waiting for the waxwings to land here though!
It’s not unusual to see little owls sunbathing on the rocks at the quarry at Sandy Heath – follow the path from the quarry road to the steps, continue along the trail (east) and when you can look back onto the slope with the tumbling rocks- they are often near the white drain that protrudes from the ground.
There have been some amazing, dramatic sunsets this week, some of the best I've seen here. I tried to capture one on Wednesday night- but they always look better in real life!
Don't forget our Big Garden Birdwatch event this weekend- 11 am - 2 pm on Saturday and Sunday. We'll have birdwatch walks, ID fat ball making , binocular and telescope demonstrations, along with advice on doing your own Big Garden Birdwatch survey on the actual weekend of 28/29/and 30 January.
Little owl, mistle thrush, and stonechats. All images Ray Piercy.
Sunset at The Lodge Mark Brandon