Asio like it

Had a quick trawl around the patch starting off via Leighton Drive where the waxwing was showing well in its favourite rowan.
I then went past Admiralty Wood where one of the resident little owls was having a snooze - nearby a group of 50ish redwing were in Pony Wood. Great spotted woodpecker here also.
A spotted redshank was feeding in the pools at Snipe Bog and a couple of little egret were on the opposite side of the river.
A flock of 16 pied wagtails and 19 meadow pipit were joined by a pair of reed bunting on The Flood. The wags and mipits were presumably early passage birds.
Around 700 pinkfeet were on Aldcliffe Marsh.
Just one long-eared owl visible at the roost today.
A male shoveler was 'new-in' on Freeman's Pools, as were all the other usual suspects.

Of note: Heard some interesting gossip from a regular dog-walker recently - apparently one of the wildfowlers was saying that they were looking into access for shooting on Freeman's Pools. Now that the shooting season is over at least it shouldn't really be of concern until the autumn.

JC

*Also, 2 male Stonechats on the back fence by the banking.
See Barn owl from last night, link below
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nry5AWN5Eo0
Stevew

Late breaking news... Sunday evening

4 male stonechats on Freeman's Pools fence (Marsh Point end).
Short-eared owl showed early on giving the crowds by the cycle track a good demo while a long-eared performed later, though exceptionally well in good light (catching a vole) at the Marsh Point end. No sign of barn owl.

JC

Thanks to Dan H for today's blog title.