What have you seen

Not been out much but did see a Short Eared Owl, Female Hen Harrier taking a Meadow Pipit and about 10 Waxwings the other day on the Dee Estuary. Hoping to do some more walking next week.

 Not ever seen a SEO, and haven't seen any Waxwings this year, although there appear to have been lots about. 

Away at the moment Nell but 66 waxwings reported just down the road from down the road where Daughter lives in Oulton Broad, so will have a look tomorrow.  

Managed to photo a grey wagtail in Sudbury yesterday.

Just read that Pallid Harrier is in North Norfolk don't know if it's the same as one as last year.

OP...ask your daughter to have the kettle on....I am planning to do Lowestoft tomorrow, some DIY bits to get, any excuse to get near Waxwings.

I see they have been by Old Franks pub?(don't know where that is), Oulton and now in Kents Lane Bungay...2 choices tomorrow.

This morning GREAT NEWS...Barn owl is back.  Not the best photo, but the start of better to come?

I know you won't be that far from Goole and we always used to see them on the RSPB reserve at Blacktoft Sands just south and east of Goole, so if you are that way then they should be there just before leaving for their summer breeding grounds. Plenty of Water Rail at this site as well.

GL the Ole Frank is on a mini roundabout on Gorleston road.  Unfortunately there are roadworks with diversions through Oulton Broad for the next 3 weeks.  

Anyone visiting Bath in the coming weeks will find a pair of perigrines clearly visible at St Johns church. Mating has taken place as a couple of pics on Avon Birds website shows a nest and webcam also in place.

Our small flock of waxwing have resorted to picking berries from the floor, so can only be a few days before they move on.

Thanks for that info WN, but change of plans. We're going to Bempton next weekend for 5 nights so it will be seabird spotting instead!! Wonder if the Puffins will have arrived?

Edit.  Have just had a look at their web site and 3 SEO were spotted there today, along with a few Puffins out at sea.

Nellie, at this time of year they tend to stay mostly on the sea awaiting the arrival of more Puffins which will slowly increase as they've been quite widespread during Winter. They'll also be on the lookout for their mates although how they recognise them is beyond me.

They have many predators on land so feel safer in a large group, they'll then have a collective fly past their old breeding areas to see whats on the ground before making the hazardous landing, so the likelihood is that at this time of the year you'll probably see loads on the sea. However as with all things in nature they'll probably prove me wrong and have the deck chairs out on their piece of turf and be chatting to the next door Razorbill about where they spent the last 6 months.

Op...thanks for the heads up.

'Ole frank', came up trumps...only 4 birds and soon buzzed off, I could hear them overhead but had no time to stake them out.  Loads of berries on ground, wonder if they will go for them?

As a day it has not been bad...early morning Barn owl(very poor light), mid-morning Waxwing(poor light) and this afternoon a male Kingfisher in good light.  I have found a new place to sit and watch the Kingfishers fishing...I came the closest to catching a diving Kingfisher than ever before.  Tomorrow I am going to set up and wait.

I may try for the Bungay Waxwings later tomorrow.