The temperature dropped rapidly during the month, the night of the 30th recording minus six celcius with a heavy frost. Much more seasonal for the time of year.
The first Goldeneye of the winter turned up at Moor Green Lakes on the 4th, a female that was in immaculate condition.
On the 10th, it was off to Southsea to see two Snow Bunting, that had been seen near the bandstand on the seafront. After parking the car, Tony Reid and I walked the very short distance to the bandstand green, where Tony immediately spotted a single Snow Bunting, feeding with feral pigeons near the wall that seperates the grassed area from the footpath, next to the sea.
There was a dozen or so other birders there, who were able to get extremely close and photograph the bird, which completely ignored them and other people using the footpath. It continued feeding as if it had no fear of humans, probably because it doesn't come across many in it's extreme north breeding ground.
From there we travelled the short distance to Farlington, in the hope of seeing the Short Eared Owls, that had returned there for the winter. Two were seen, roosting in a field next to the sea, magnificent birds that will probably stay there until early spring if there are enough voles to sustain them.
My first Coal Tit of the winter was seen on the 28th at Moor Green, whilst on the 30th at the same venue my first overwintering Goosander.
The first Goldeneye of the winter turned up at Moor Green Lakes on the 4th, a female that was in immaculate condition.
On the 10th, it was off to Southsea to see two Snow Bunting, that had been seen near the bandstand on the seafront. After parking the car, Tony Reid and I walked the very short distance to the bandstand green, where Tony immediately spotted a single Snow Bunting, feeding with feral pigeons near the wall that seperates the grassed area from the footpath, next to the sea.
There was a dozen or so other birders there, who were able to get extremely close and photograph the bird, which completely ignored them and other people using the footpath. It continued feeding as if it had no fear of humans, probably because it doesn't come across many in it's extreme north breeding ground.
From there we travelled the short distance to Farlington, in the hope of seeing the Short Eared Owls, that had returned there for the winter. Two were seen, roosting in a field next to the sea, magnificent birds that will probably stay there until early spring if there are enough voles to sustain them.
My first Coal Tit of the winter was seen on the 28th at Moor Green, whilst on the 30th at the same venue my first overwintering Goosander.
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