Early Chiffchaff.

An early Chiffchaff is frequenting the outflow channel. It was seen on the 18th and 19th February, sometimes in the company of a small tit flock. A male Blackcap is also coming to the garden feeders. Water Rail have been seen near the top end feeder and also in the outflow channel. It seems to suggest that there is more than one bird.
A pair of Herring Gulls are also regulars and seem quite settled. They can often be heard calling. Tawny Owls are also being vocal with some birds calling during the day.

Launch Success.

 Tern Raft in Transit!

 Steady as she goes.

 Touch Down.

 It floats, as if there was any doubt!

 Half blood knot, remembered from my fishing days.

 I think it was 14mm polypropylene rope , which has a breaking strain of over two tons.

 Thanks Graham.

 Just need to add some 20mm washed gravel and a couple of half pipes and it is all ready for some Sterna hirundo.

Three Tern Rafts completed.

 Some great snowy scenes in the garden recently and hardly the weather to make one think of Common Terns. When the terns return in the spring three new rafts will be waiting for them to nest on. One is to be located at the lake at Church Farm and two will be at Hick's Lodge. Below are some of the materials we used to construct our tern rafts.

 

 

 Above , the very professional finished product and a very happy raft maker. Well done Col.

 

 

Winter Blackcap.

It was a surprise to catch this male Blackcap today. Normally a summer visitor some now over winter in Britain.

 Evidence from ringing has demonstrated that many of these winter Blackcaps are birds that have migrated from central Europe and especially countries such as Germany.

This is not an unusual survival strategy. Many species head west when the cold continental climate of central Europe takes hold.
Other species seen this year at Thornton include Water Rail, Little Egret, Woodcock, Peregrine, Kingfisher and Shoveler. Finches seem scarce with only one or two Lesser Redpoll and as yet no Siskin.
Sundays Webs count produced 21 Little Grebe, but only 7 Great Crested. 

German Visitor for Christmas.

 I managed to read the metal ring on this first winter Black Headed Gull in the car park at Thornton.

The number was 5426233, below which were the words HELGOLAND, GERMANA. I have informed the German bird ringing scheme and await further information.

Gulls at Thornton.

 An Adult Winter Med. Gull was a brief visitor to the res. on Thursday 27th.

 Not great images, but an example of  my weak effort at Digiscoping in poor light.

The Mediterranean Gull flew off with the rest towards the north west. I think they must drop in to Thornton for a quick wash up and then carry on to Sence Valley or maybe even Albert Village.
More interesting was a probable 4th winter Yellow Legged Gull last Sunday. It was fortunate that an adult Herring Gull and several Lesser black backed were with it to help us make our comparisons. I am hoping it might drop in again this week end so I can grab a photo.

Okavango Highlights.

 Just back from a fantastic Okavango trip that delivered everything I could have wished for.

 Paula had never been to Africa. It is pretty good when you get Lion, Leopard, Cheetah, Honey Badger and Wild Dog all on the same day.

 We watched a large herd of Buffalo being harried by three Lions.

 My first Spotted Hyena sighting was at 1am with one at the entrance to the tent!

 Over 240 bird species were enjoyed.

 On our drive back south to Maun a pack of Hunting Dogs accompanied us for part of the journey.

 Along with Hyena probably one of my favourite animals.