Here we go again!!!!!!!!!!!

Snow gone but guess what happens when snow melts.

The Derwent has well and truly burst its banks and the wind is making the temperature feel 3-4 degrees lower,
Plenty of birds around all the usual suspects Lapwing,Wigeon,Teal etc
Had a quick look around the local paths and came across a large flock of mixed birds (100+) consisted of mixed sparrows Dunnock, Chaffinch, Redpoll, Siskin, Brambling, Yellowhammer, Linnet, Corn Bunting,Greenfinch, High above a female sparrow hawk was giving as good as it got with a single corvid.

Fieldfare in good numbers as were Redwing.

20+ Long tailed tits were busy in the hedgerows and a single GSW was calling from the top of a telegraph pole.

A huge flock of golden plover and lapwings were noted at least 150 birds in the local fields.Rooks numerous as were the local pheasant and partridge populations. (over spill from the shoots??)

Will be back out tomorrow for more.

7 Barn Owls!!!

Had a quick walk around the local patch and managed to catch a large flock of mixed birds was delighted to see the following in the flock corn bunting, bullfinch,brambling,chaffinch,greenfinch,goldcrest,yellowhammer,reedbunting, I then moved on and watched the hungry blackbirds getting stuck into the remaining hawthorn berries. A song thrush flew across my path and it was good to see large flocks of fieldfare and redwing still hanging around.

moved on and came across not one but three barn owls good to see they are coping with the floods etc.stacks of wigeon and teal and a good flock of pinkfoots (50) making a racket.

moved onto skipwith common to be greeted by two more barn owls not much else to shout about but it was an interesting walk.

Went back to the village to see another barn owl fly across the road and into the shrubs, made it to the GS hide for the last hour and watched a very agile dabchick paddling around outside the hide.A big flock of dunlin (60+) were observed trying to find a roost for the night and the usual gull roost was later than normal but still big numbers.Whoopers and mutes were visible but no bewicks seen.

driving back to the bridge barn owl number 7 flew across the road. cracking afternoon!!