The grand total for the 1st was 61 species - a little down attributable to the iced up conditions. Other highlights also included the bittern over the river, goosander and water rail. Louise Glazzard visited on the 31st and 1st and got these great pics - nice to know we still have a kingfisher:
Redhead smew:
and pintail:
Likewise regular David Ware was also in on the 2nd and managed some more shots of the willow tit:
David has recently started his own blog - have a look here.
Brambling however are very easy to come by on the feeders - these two chaffinches were beginning to doubt their status as Britain's most common species:
The orange great spot also put in a brief appearance today too:
Most of the reserve is still frozen, but these coots were starting to find new weed resources under the receeding ice of D res:
You may have seen tonights Look North feature around barn owls. We consider ourselves lucky to have one bird given the reports coming in elsewhere. I know Derrick at Hull Valley has had many reports of dead barn owls, likewise Michael Flowers visited Robert Fuller's gallery today where the wolds barn owl group has found around 20 birds dead on the higher wolds. For information I am not catching shrews personally - these are provided by the cat and put to good use!
Unfortunately a few more casualties today:
This young great black backed gull was one of at least three dead round D res. The carrion crows apparently picking up more on the ice:
Can't comment on causes, but they are pretty mean looking birds so one would think would cope with the conditions and it is more likely disease.
On a lighter note a few folk have asked to see some of my Kenya photos from the summer. I will be conducting a talk for Beverley Naturalists at 7:30pm on Monday night (10th) on the subject at the Peter Harrison Rooms next to Beverley Minster. Admission is £1 with entry to the raffle. Equally I will be undertaking the same talk for Hornsea Bird Club on Friday the 21st at 7.30pm at Hornsea Library. Both clubs are friendly local groups who are well worth joining and supporting.
