Waxwings and Long-eared Owl

Saturday 17th January 2009

A very pleasant day (before the evening wind and rain!), and it was nice to see Waxwings again, with 17 present this morning at The Grove, off Hales Road, Cheltenham. They are feeding on a small ornamental Rowan, one of the few trees around with any berries on.

At Slimbridge WWT, a Knot was with c60 Dunlins, and c500 Lapwings over the road-side fields, six Ruffs were on South Lake and six Siskins were near the South Lake hide. A total of four Little Stints were with Dunlins over the centre/Tack Piece area, the birds being frequently put up by two Peregrines. The White-fronted Goose flock were fairly distant from the Holden Tower, but the Bean Geese were not visible, apparently being seen landing in the corner of the Goose House Ground, out of sight behind the line of trees and bushes.

At Frampton, a Long-eared Owl was roosting at the reed-bed south of Splatt Bridge.

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