Marsh Harrier.

The Marsh Harrier was still present at 1330 today 26th Sept. It was hunting over Thornton and Browns Wood. At about 1400 it flew over the village and disappeared towards Desford lakes. Two Ravens also flew over at 1030.

Raptors.

 A juvenile Sparrowhawk takes a rest on the decking.

A juvenile or female Marsh Harrier was hunting over Browns Wood at 1530 today(24th Sept). Probably a juvenile as the plumage looks very fresh. Also a pair of Wigeon and a Kingfisher on the res and plenty of hirundines.

Recent sightings.

Breaching Gervais beaked whale, at sea 200 miles west of Morocco and not on the res!

It has been rather quiet recently with few sightings of note and I have also been away. The highlight was a fly through Osprey on the 28th August. There were also up to four Spotted Flycatchers at the end of the month, some juvs indicating breeding success. On the 17th September a Hobby and 2 Ravens were fly overs. The first Webs count took place on the 16th and over 700 birds were recorded. This included 235 Mallard and 147 Coot. Up to 5 Grey Wagtails have been at the out flow and today a juv. Blackbird was trying to eat a freas water Crayfish. The highlight of my recent vacation was the sighting of a Gervais Beaked Whale 200 miles off the Moroccan coast. This species is rarely recorded alive at sea.