Sightings February 2012
Sunday 5th January
A Merlin was seen flying at speed low across the Drift this morning, but was quickly lost from view and couldn't be relocated. Also on the Drift was a large mobile flock of c100 Linnet and c40 Skylark.
The river was still holding reasonable numbers of wildfowl this afternoon but numbers were down from yesterday.
A Little Owl was sat out on a tree stump on the west side of Barton-in-Fabis before disappearing onto the surrounding farmland. 16 Grey Partridge were flushed from the side of a hedgerow in fields towards Thrumpton.
Little Owl - Barton-in-Fabis
Saturday 4th February
A Marsh Tit was heard calling from trees on the river bend Clifton Grove this morning, and was soon located as it passed through the area with a mobile tit flock that also held 2 Treecreeper.
With the big freeze now taking a grip in the area, large numbers of wildfowl were forced onto the river with 47 Goosander, 12 Goldeneye, 32 Teal, 12 Gadwall, c60 Wigeon, 10 Shoveler and 156 Tufted Duck counted on the stretch of river between Clifton Grove and Barton-in-Fabis.
Also this morning were 2 Kingfisher and a Grey Wagtail on Beeston Weir, 82 Mute Swan in fields at Thrumpton and a large flock of c350 Skylark in the same area.
Marsh Tit - Clifton Grove
Thursday 2nd February
A Peregrine was sat out on a pylon between Clifton and Silverdale this evening, viewed from Clifton Bridge whilst sat in traffic at 4.45pm