A big thanks to Neil (the Birdhunter) Glenn for a lovely (if frosty in the shade) bird walk at Skylarks Nature Reserve today. Some 20 hardy souls turned out at 9pm and we were able to explore the bird life of the site. Don`t know about other people but amongst the highlights for me was two Green Woodpeckers on the ground (regularly hear but rarely see), a Song Thrush close up (only know them by song), the Heronry (not heard tell of that on site) and the  Great White Egret (didn`t know they were now appearing locally.

But then there was the supporting cast of raptors – Buzzard, Merlin (well Neil saw it anyway), Sparrowhawk and Kestrel, plus a range of ducks and geese (as you would expect) and also the little birds (Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Bullfinch, Robin and the rest of the birds in the band) and Raven (apparently they are also now found locally, who knew). Oh yes and some rabbits.

If I had visited on my own I would not have noticed half the birds that were pointed out or been able to work out what they were (combination of eyesight and binoculars). But Neil also went into QI mode – did you know that Coots migrate – I thought they were resident, or that the Goldeneye mating displays are prior to flying north to their breeding grounds, so when they arrive for the short arctic summer the pairs are good to go.

So thanks Neil for a good morning bird stalking and also for the impromptu lesson of Greater or Lesser Spotted Woodpecker I heard  a week ago ? (Greater – the Lesser is apparently only known in Sherwood Forest nowadays).

Gordon Dyne 8th Feb 2023