Lunar Eclipse, and Birds

Sunday 4th March 2007
This morning I explored the shore at Berkeley with Andy, in increasingly wet and windy conditions but very rewarding. Nine Tree Sparrows were a delight, and the most I have seen at once in the county. Six were with six Yellowhammers and three Reed Buntings in the hedge at the back of an old Sunflower crop next to the footpath around the power station, and another three near feeders within the power station perimeter. Alomg the shore there was a Rock Pipit, a Curlew, six Oystercatchers, and a Goldcrest with some Long-tailed Tits. At Severn House Farm there was an amazing 37 Collared Doves. Later I got down to Slimbridge in time to see a female Ring-necked Duck before it flew off with tufties and Pochards at 4.30pm toward the Rushy. I couldn't locate it there, but two Stock Doves right in front of the Peng Observatory at feeding time were nice. Last night, with clear skies, the lunar eclipse was an impressive spectacle. I took the photo below just after 11.00pm.

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