Happy New Year

I'm off to Otmoor with Paul F for my 1st birding of 2014.
Follow me on twitter @sh4rpy

My Bird of the Year 2013

Impossible to pick one but eventually went for the Eastern Subalpine Warbler at Languard on 27th April. Pic below without Christmas hat and scarf.

2013 year list

Here's my 2013 year list, not strictly BOU. 276 in total.

1 : Mute Swan ... 01 January 2013 ... Chenies
2 : Little Grebe ... 01 January 2013 ... Chenies
3 : Little Egret ... 01 January 2013 ... Chenies
4 : Great White Egret ... 01 January 2013 ... Chenies
5 : Red Kite ... 01 January 2013 ... Chenies
6 : Woodpigeon ... 01 January 2013 ... Chenies
7 : Wren ... 01 January 2013 ... Chenies
8 : Dunnock ... 01 January 2013 ... Chenies
9 : Robin ... 01 January 2013 ... Chenies
10 : Blackbird ... 01 January 2013 ... Chenies
11 : Song Thrush ... 01 January 2013 ... Chenies
12 : Goldcrest ... 01 January 2013 ... Chenies
13 : Blue Tit ... 01 January 2013 ... Chenies
14 : Great Tit ... 01 January 2013 ... Chenies
15 : Magpie ... 01 January 2013 ... Chenies
16 : Jackdaw ... 01 January 2013 ... Chenies
17 : Carrion Crow ... 01 January 2013 ... Chenies
18 : Chaffinch ... 01 January 2013 ... Chenies
19 : Goldfinch ... 01 January 2013 ... Chenies
20 : Great Spotted Woodpecker ... 01 January 2013 ... Chenies
21 : Wigeon ... 01 January 2013 ... Stockers Farm
22 : Gadwall ... 01 January 2013 ... Stockers Farm
23 : Shoveler ... 01 January 2013 ... Stockers Farm
24 : Little Owl ... 01 January 2013 ... Stockers Farm
25 : Meadow Pipit ... 01 January 2013 ... Stockers Farm
26 : Pied Wagtail ... 01 January 2013 ... Stockers Farm
27 : Fieldfare ... 01 January 2013 ... Stockers Farm
28 : Mistle Thrush ... 01 January 2013 ... Stockers Farm
29 : Starling ... 01 January 2013 ... Stockers Farm
30 : House Sparrow ... 01 January 2013 ... Stockers Farm
31 : Canada Goose ... 01 January 2013 ... Stockers Lake
32 : Mallard ... 01 January 2013 ... Stockers Lake
33 : Pochard ... 01 January 2013 ... Stockers Lake
34 : Tufted Duck ... 01 January 2013 ... Stockers Lake
35 : Goldeneye ... 01 January 2013 ... Stockers Lake
36 : Pheasant ... 01 January 2013 ... Stockers Lake
37 : Cormorant ... 01 January 2013 ... Stockers Lake
38 : Grey Heron ... 01 January 2013 ... Stockers Lake
39 : Sparrowhawk ... 01 January 2013 ... Stockers Lake
40 : Lapwing ... 01 January 2013 ... Stockers Lake
41 : Common Gull ... 01 January 2013 ... Stockers Lake
42 : Lesser Black-backed Gull ... 01 January 2013 ... Stockers Lake
43 : Ring-necked Parakeet ... 01 January 2013 ... Stockers Lake
44 : Kingfisher ... 01 January 2013 ... Stockers Lake
45 : Long-tailed Tit ... 01 January 2013 ... Stockers Lake
46 : Nuthatch ... 01 January 2013 ... Stockers Lake
47 : Goosander ... 01 January 2013 ... Inns Lake
48 : Great Crested Grebe ... 01 January 2013 ... Bury Lake
49 : Coot ... 01 January 2013 ... Bury Lake
50 : Black-headed Gull ... 01 January 2013 ... Bury Lake
51 : Greylag Goose ... 01 January 2013 ... Lynsters Farm
52 : Egyptian Goose ... 01 January 2013 ... Lynsters Farm
53 : Buzzard ... 01 January 2013 ... Lynsters Farm
54 : Kestrel ... 01 January 2013 ... Lynsters Farm
55 : Moorhen ... 01 January 2013 ... Lynsters Farm
56 : Stock Dove ... 01 January 2013 ... Lynsters Farm
57 : Collared Dove ... 01 January 2013 ... Maple Lodge
58 : Green Woodpecker ... 01 January 2013 ... Maple Lodge
59 : Herring Gull ... 01 January 2013 ... Woodoaks Farm
60 : Coal Tit ... 03 January 2013 ... Abbots Langley
61 : Waxwing ... 03 January 2013 ... Watford
62 : Jay ... 04 January 2013 ... Abbots Langley
63 : White-fronted Goose ... 05 January 2013 ... Cantley
64 : Shelduck ... 05 January 2013 ... Buckenham Marshes
65 : Teal ... 05 January 2013 ... Buckenham Marshes
66 : Peregrine ... 05 January 2013 ... Buckenham Marshes
67 : Ruff ... 05 January 2013 ... Buckenham Marshes
68 : Marsh Tit ... 05 January 2013 ... Buckenham Marshes
69 : Rook ... 05 January 2013 ... Buckenham Marshes
70 : Linnet ... 05 January 2013 ... Caister
71 : Snow Bunting ... 05 January 2013 ... Caister
72 : Red-legged Partridge ... 05 January 2013 ... Cantley
73 : Golden Plover ... 05 January 2013 ... Cantley
74 : Taiga Bean Goose ... 05 January 2013 ... Cantley
75 : Red-throated Diver ... 05 January 2013 ... Great Yarmouth
76 : Mediterranean Gull ... 05 January 2013 ... Great Yarmouth
77 : Great Northern Diver ... 05 January 2013 ... Hamilton Dock
78 : Great Black-backed Gull ... 05 January 2013 ... Hamilton Dock
79 : Oystercatcher ... 05 January 2013 ... Ness Point
80 : Turnstone ... 05 January 2013 ... Ness Point
81 : Purple Sandpiper ... 05 January 2013 ... Ness Point
82 : Greenfinch ... 05 January 2013 ... Srumpshaw
83 : Marsh Harrier ... 05 January 2013 ... Stubb Mill
84 : Hen Harrier ... 05 January 2013 ... Stubb Mill
85 : Crane ... 05 January 2013 ... Stubb Mill
86 : Barn Owl ... 05 January 2013 ... Stubb Mill
87 : Stonechat ... 05 January 2013 ... Stubb Mill
88 : Siskin ... 10 January 2013 ... Stockers Lake
89 : Redwing ... 10 January 2013 ... Stockers Lake
90 : Grey Wagtail ... 11 January 2013 ... Bushey High Street
91 : Water Pipit ... 12 January 2013 ... Staines Moor
92 : Skylark ... 12 January 2013 ... Staines Moor
93 : Short-eared Owl ... 12 January 2013 ... Staines Moor
94 : Reed Bunting ... 12 January 2013 ... Staines Moor
95 : Long-tailed Duck ... 12 January 2013 ... Queen Mother Reservoir
96 : Slavonian Grebe ... 12 January 2013 ... Queen Mother Reservoir
97 : Brent Goose ... 13 January 2013 ... Farlington Marshes
98 : Curlew ... 13 January 2013 ... Farlington Marshes
99 : Redshank ... 13 January 2013 ... Farlington Marshes
100 : Grey Plover ... 13 January 2013 ... Farlington Marshes
101 : Dunlin ... 13 January 2013 ... Farlington Marshes
102 : Pintail ... 13 January 2013 ... Farlington Marshes
103 : Avocet ... 13 January 2013 ... Farlington Marshes
104 : Red-breasted Merganser ... 13 January 2013 ... Walpole Park
105 : Ringed Plover ... 13 January 2013 ... Walpole Park
106 : Rock Pipit ... 13 January 2013 ... Walpole Park
107 : Glossy Ibis ... 13 January 2013 ... Bickerley Common
108 : Snipe ... 13 January 2013 ... Bickerley Common
109 : Buff-bellied Pipit ... 13 January 2013 ... Kingsmead Quarry
110 : Bullfinch ... 16 January 2013 ... Moatfield, Bushey
111 : Scaup ... 19 January 2013 ... Marlow Gravel Pits
112 : Yellowhammer ... 21 January 2013 ... Woodoaks Farm
113 : Pallas's Warber ... 26 January 2013 ... Moor Green Lakes
114 : Mandarin Duck ... 27 January 2013 ... Amwell
115 : Great-grey Shrike ... 27 January 2013 ... Therfield Heath
116 : Ferruginous Duck ... 02 February 2013 ... Priory Country Park
117 : Black-necked Grebe ... 02 February 2013 ... Priory Country Park
118 : Smew ... 02 February 2013 ... Broom Gravel Pits
119 : Grey Partridge ... 02 February 2013 ... Therfield Heath
120 : Corn Bunting ... 02 February 2013 ... Therfield Heath
121 : Brambling ... 02 February 2013 ... Therfield Heath
122 : Caspian Gull ... 02 February 2013 ... Amwell
123 : Bittern ... 02 February 2013 ... Amwell
124 : Pink-footed Goose ... 06 February 2013 ... Holkham Pines
125 : Common Scoter ... 06 February 2013 ... Titchwell
126 : Knot ... 06 February 2013 ... Titchwell
127 : Sanderling ... 06 February 2013 ... Titchwell
128 : Black-tailed Godwit ... 06 February 2013 ... Titchwell
129 : Bar-tailed Godwit ... 06 February 2013 ... Titchwell
130 : Spotted Redshank ... 06 February 2013 ... Titchwell
131 : Dipper (black bellied) ... 06 February 2013 ... Thetford
132 : Treecreeper ... 06 February 2013 ... Titchwell
133 : Hawfinch ... 06 February 2013 ... Lynford Arboretum
134 : Bonaparte’s Gull ... 09 February 2013 ... Eastbourne
135 : Cetti’s Warbler ... 16 February 2013 ... Stodmarsh
136 : Penduline Tit ... 16 February 2013 ... Stodmarsh
137 : Black-throated Diver ... 16 February 2013 ... Lade GPs
138 : Glaucous Gull ... 16 February 2013 ... Dungeness
139 : Guillemot ... 16 February 2013 ... Dungeness
140 : Kittiwake ... 16 February 2013 ... Dungeness
141 : Little Gull ... 16 February 2013 ... Dungeness
142 : Razorbill ... 16 February 2013 ... Dungeness
143 : Tree Sparrow ... 16 February 2013 ... Dungeness
144 : Tundra Bean Goose ... 16 February 2013 ... Dungeness
145 : Bearded Tit ... 16 February 2013 ... Walland
146 : Bewick’s Swan ... 16 February 2013 ... Walland
147 : Red-crested Pochard ... 28 February 2013 ... Inns Lake
148 : Raven ... 01 March 2013 ... Pig Bush
149 : Pied-billed Grebe ... 02 March 2013 ... Ham Wall RSPB
150 : Water Rail ... 06 March 2013 ... Maple Lodge
151 : Woodlark ... 08 March 2013 ... Thursley
152 : Green Sandpiper ... 08 March 2013 ... Maple Lodge
153 : Red-breasted Goose ... 09 March 2013 ... Farlington Marshes
154 : Wheatear ... 24 March 2013 ... Woodoaks Farm
155 : Kentish Plover ... 26 March 2013 ... Rye Harbour
156 : Black Redstart ... 26 March 2013 ... Dungeness
157 : Gannet ... 26 March 2013 ... Dungeness
158 : Firecrest ... 27 March 2013 ... Acres Down
159 : Chiffchaff ... 28 March 2013 ... Croxley Common Moor
160 : Fulmar ... 29 March 2013 ... Portland Bill
161 : Shag ... 29 March 2013 ... Portland Bill
162 : Spoonbill ... 29 March 2013 ... Radipole
163 : Sandwich Tern ... 29 March 2013 ... Portland Bill
164 : Puffin ... 29 March 2013 ... Portland Bill
165 : Sand Martin ... 29 March 2013 ... Portland Bill
166 : Ring Ouzel ... 29 March 2013 ... Portland Bill
167 : White Wagtail ... 29 March 2013 ... Portland Bill
168 : Goshawk ... 06 April 2013 ... Acres Down
169 : Green-winged Teal ... 06 April 2013 ... Keyhaven
170 : Greenshank ... 06 April 2013 ... Keyhaven
171 : Garganey ... 07 April 2013 ... Otmoor
172 : Blackcap ... 10 April 2013 ... Abbots Langley
173 : Swallow ... 12 April 2013 ... Abbots Langley
174 : Whimbrel ... 13 April 2013 ... Portland Bill
175 : House Martin ... 13 April 2013 ... Radipole
176 : Willow Warbler ... 15 April 2013 ... Croxley Common Moor
177 : Common Tern ... 15 April 2013 ... Croxley Common Moor
178 : Whitethroat ... 16 April 2013 ... Croxley Common Moor
179 : Whinchat ... 19 April 2013 ... Croxley Common Moor
180 : Sedge Warbler ... 20 April 2013 ... Titchwell
181 : Little Ringed Plover ... 20 April 2013 ... Titchwell
182 : Yellow Wagtail ... 20 April 2013 ... Titchwell
183 : Lesser Whitethroat ... 20 April 2013 ... Walsey Hills
184 : Stone-curlew ... 20 April 2013 The Brecks
185 : Lesser Redpoll ... 20 April 2013 ... The Brecks
186 : Swift ... 25 April 2013 ... Stockers Lake
187 : Garden Warbler ... 25 April 2013 ... Stockers Lake
188 : Reed Warbler ... 25 April 2013 ... Stockers Lake
189 : Subalpine Warbler (eastern) ... 27 April 2013 ... Landguard
190 : Rose-coloured Starling ... 27 April 2013 ... Orford
191 : Ring-necked Duck ... 27 April 2013 ... Chigborough Lakes
192 : Wood Warbler ... 28 April 2013 ... Amwell
193 : Pied Flycatcher ... 28 April 2013 ... Amwell
194 : Grasshopper Warbler ... 03 May 2013 ... Otmoor
195 : Tree Pipit ... 08 May 2013 ... Ythan Estuary
196 : Eider ... 08 May 2013 ... Ythan Estuary
197 : King Eider ... 08 May 2013 ... Ythan Estuary
198 : Iceland Gull ... 08 May 2013 ... Ythan Estuary
199 : Little Tern ... 08 May 2013 ... Ythan Estuary
200 : Pectoral Sandpiper ... 08 May 2013 ... Loch of Strathbeg
201 : Common Sandpiper ... 08 May 2013 ... Findhorn Valley
202 : Capercaillie ... 09 May 2013 ... Loch Garten
203 : Osprey ... 09 May 2013 ... Loch Garten
204 : Surf Scoter ... 09 May 2013 ... Embo
205 : Hooded Crow ... 09 May 2013 ... Embo
206 : Red Grouse ... 09 May 2013 ... Farr Road
207 : Golden Eagle ... 09 May 2013 ... Loch Ruthven
208 : Merlin ... 09 May 2013 ... Findhorn Valley
209 : Black Guillemot ... 10 May 2013 ... Lochalsh
210 : Cuckoo ... 10 May 2013 ... Strathcommon
211 : Great-northern Diver ... 10 May 2013 ... Ardenorch
212 : Pomarine Skua ... 10 May 2013 ... Lochmaddy
213 : White-tailed Eagle ... 10 May 2013 ... Skye
214 : Rock Dove ... 10 May 2013 ... Uig
215 : Corncrake ... 10 May 2013 ... Balranald
216 : Arctic Skua ... 11 May 2013 ... Balranald
217 : Arctic Tern ... 11 May 2013 ... Balranald
218 : Great Skua ... 11 May 2013 ... Balranald
219 : Manx Shearwater ... 11 May 2013 ... Uig-Lochmady Ferry
220 : Whooper Swan ... 11 May 2013 ... Balranald
221 : Long-tailed Skua ... 11 May 2013 ... Balranald
222 : Crested Tit ... 12 May 2013 ... Abernethy
223 : Redstart ... 12 May 2013 ... Loch Insh
224 : Black-winged Stilt ... 17 May 2013 ... Wicken Fen
225 : Hobby ... 17 May 2013 ... Wicken Fen
226 : Turtle Dove ... 17 May 2013 ... Reach, Cambs
227 : Red-footed Falcon ... 17 May 2013 ... Lakenheath
228 : Dusky Thrush ... 18 May 2013 ... Margate Cemetery
229 : Montagu's Harrier ... 18 May 2013 ... Reculver
230 : Cattle Egret ... 18 May 2013 ... Shorne
231 : Savi's Warbler ... 25 May 2013 ... Lakenheath
232 : Roller ... 26 May 2013 ... Broxhead Common
233 : Temminck's Stint ... 26 May 2013 ... Rye Harbour
234 : Red-backed Shrike ... 26 May 2013 ... Pewley Down
235 : Spotted Flycatcher ... 08 June 2013 ... Sculthorpe Mill
236 : Bridled Tern ... 03 July 2013 ... Inner Farne
237 : Woodcock ... 12 July 2013 ... Chobham Common
238 : Nightjar ... 12 July 2013 ... Chobham Common
239 : Curlew Sandpiper ... 20 July 2013 ... Tyttenhanger
240 : Long-billed Dowitcher ... 03 August 2013 ... Pennington
241 : Common Crossbill ... 03 August 2013 ... Acres Down
242 : Wood Sandpiper ... 18 August 2013 ... Tices Meadow
243 : Greenish Warbler ... 25 August 2013 ... Burnham Overy
244 : Wryneck ... 25 August 2013 ... Salthouse
245 : Little Stint ... 25 August 2013 ... Titchwell
246 : Spotted Crake ... 08 September 2013 ... Wilstone Reservoir
247 : Black Tern ... 14 September 2013 ... Little Marlow Gravel Pits
248 : Two-barred Crossbill ... 22 September 2013 ... Lynford Arboretum
249 : Lesser Grey Shrike ... 22 September 2013 ... Leiston
250 : Cirl Bunting ... 05 October 2013 ... Labrador Bay
251 : Daurian Shrike ... 05 October 2013 ... Pendeen
252 : Yellow-browed Warbler ... 06 October 2013 ... St Levan
253 : Lesser Yellowlegs ... 06 October 2013 ... Hayle Estuary
254 : Chough ... 07 October 2013 ... Cot Valley
255 : Balearic Shearwater ... 09 October 2013 ... Pendeen
256 : Sooty Shearwater ... 09 October 2013 ... Pendeen
257 : Sabine's Gull ... 09 October 2013 ... Pendeen
258 : Semipalmated Plover ... 19 October 2013 ... Black Point
259 : Shore Lark ... 23 October 2013 ... Winterton
260 : Velvet Scoter ... 23 October 2013 ... Winterton
261 : Pallid Swift ... 26 October 2013 ... Northrepps-Hungry Hill
262 : Lapland Bunting ... 26 October 2013 ... Bacton
263 : Grey Phalarope ... 29 October 2013 ... Hillfield Park Reservoir
264 : Red-necked Grebe ... 02 November 2013 ... Farmoor Reservoir
265 : Yellow-legged Gull ... 03 November 2013 ... Wilstone Reservoir
266 : Pied Wheatear ... 10 November 2013 ... Collingham Pits
267 : Parrot Crossbill ... 16 November 2013 ... Holt Country Park
268 : Dartford Warbler ... 23 November 2013 ... Aspley Heath
269 : Baikal Teal ... 07 December 2013 ... Crossens Marsh
270 : Barnacle Goose ... 07 December 2013 ... Crossens Marsh
271 : Desert Wheatear ... 14 December 2013 ... Severn Beach
272 : Tawny Owl ... 15 December 2013 ... Regents Park
273 : Ivory Gull ... 21 December 2013 ... Patrington Haven
274 : Brunich's Guillemot ... 28 December 2013 ... Portland Harbour
275 : White-billed Diver ... 28 December 2013 ... Brixham Harbour
276 : Siberian Chiffchaff ... 29 December 2013 ... Stockers Lake

Stockers Sibe Chiff

A couple of hours at Stockers this morning. Little Owl and 30+ Redwing at the Farm. 20 Siskin in Alders behind lock-keepers cottage. 2 Lesser Redpoll in Siskin flock. Water Rail at Alder Carr flooded area. 4 Chiffchaff river Colne side. Siberian Chiffchaff river Colne side. 4 Red-crested Pochard. Escaped Black Swan. Sparrowhawk. Red Kite.
Paul's Siberian Chiffchaff pics.

Guillemots and Divers

Sat 28th Dec 2013
Portland Harbour and then Brixham Harbour with Paul, Tony S and Brendan.
At Portland Harbour we joined about 150 other birders. A Razorbill showed itself first but then shortly after that our intended target the Brunnich's Guillemot surfaced almost right in front of us. Then dived and stayed under quite some time, then resurfacing about 50 yards away. This was the pattern for most of the time we were there. We were on a tight time schedule because we were keen to head over to Brixham Harbour. Also at Portland were 30+ Red-breasted Merganser, Black Guillemot, Kingfisher, Black-throated Diver.
At Brixham Harbour we soon connected with the White-billed Diver. Also noted here; Great-northern Diver, Black-throated Diver, Slavonian Grebe. Brunnich's Guillemot and White-billed Diver pics below with a Shag thrown in for good measure!

new blog title

From 1st January 2014 my blog's title will be changing. Out will go "another good days birding" and in will come a new title heavily influenced by the book below. Written by Jaroslav Spirhanzel Durik and Edmund Burke.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas one and all

Long Shortlist.

Below are the runners and riders for my favourite Bird/Birding Moment of 2013. I will post the winner on New Year's Eve.
Buff-bellied Pipit x2, 13 January 2013 at Kingsmead Quarry, Penduline Tit, 16 February 2013 at Stodmarsh, Paul's spectacular fall, 16 February 2013 at Stodmarsh. Pied-billed Grebe calling, 02 March 2013 at Ham Wall RSPB. Eastern Subalpine Warbler, 27 April 2013 at Landguard. Corncrake, 10 May 2013 at Balranald. Long-tailed Skua passage, 11 May 2013 at Balranald. A "wing clapping" Short-eared Owl, 12 May 2013 at  North Uist. Savi's Warbler, 25 May 2013 at Lakenheath. Roller, 26 May 2013 at Broxhead Common. Bridled Tern, 03 July 2013 at Inner Farne. Daurian Shrike, 05 October 2013 at Pendeen. Pied Wheatear, 10 November 2013 at Collingham Pits. Ivory Gull, 21 December 2013 at Patrington Haven.
Some great birds and birding moments not even on the shortlist.

awesome-google+

The animations below were made by google+. I found this completely by accident

First I uploaded nearly 60 images to google+ "photos"

google+ then automatically makes animations of any photos with the same background

a minimum of 5 photos are required and you cannot manually make an animation, it will also apply other effects to sets of images.

once created, right click and "save as" to a folder on your pc

then "insert image" in the usual way

Hope that makes sense Rob!

Ivory Gull Feasting on Salmon

Look what google+ did for me!

Ring-billed Gull-Walpole Park

My birding pal Paul Frost's wife Carol was running in the Portsmouth Marathon today. Being the supportive husband he is he went along to offer his support. However, as the gun sounded for the start of the race he was quick off the blocks too and dashed over to Walpole Park.  Here he soon connected with the Ring-billed Gull. A few pics then back to the finish line.

Ring-billed Gull-Walpole Park-Paul Frost

Ring-billed Gull-Walpole Park-Paul Frost

Drogba and Kalou

Sat 21st Dec 2013.
A trip to Patrington Haven with Brendan, Dave and Samuel P.
Pouring rain nearly all the way to Yorkshire didn't make driving much fun but the roads were fairly quiet and we made good time. We arrived just after ten and parked sensibly near Outstray Farm,then a route march towards the pumping station. The younger two (Dave and Samuel) left the older two (me and Brendan) trailing behind. The Ivory Gull had had it's fill of fish and had flown into the estuary where it was perched on a small ridge. It was at a range of about 500 metres and constantly preening. The Ivory Gull did occasionally fly but only a few metres, then it settled and continued preening. A fly through Merlin provided some entertainment whilst watching the distant gull. After about an hour and three quarters of viewing the Ivory Gull it did the decent thing and got up and flew towards us, it did a couple of circuits of the pumping station before landing. We watched as it first drank from a puddle then had a taste of the most rotten fish on offer, then another drink before feasting on the freshest fish. Then up and off back out to the estuary. We left the Gull and headed off to Hornsea Mere. At Hornsea Mere we first connected with a distant Great White Egret but then we saw a Grey Phalarope flying straight towards us. It landed really close, did a few spins and then off towards the point. Time for home now and as we walked back to the car two Great White Egret in flight was nice to see.

 

Choo-Choo Tawny

This morning I caught the 07:19 train from Kings Langley to Euston. I made my way to Regents Park where I met Dave J. Dave had recently found a Tawny Owl roosting in a Willow Tree. We made our way to the area and luckily for us the Tawny Owl was sleeping in a large hole in the Willow. Dave then took me on a mini tour of the park before returning to have another look at the Tawny Owl. The Owl had now been joined in the Willow by two or three Stock Dove. It seemed a little concerned by their presence and kept a watchful eye out. Also in the park; Chiffchaff, Redwing, Mistle Thrush, Grey Wagtail and of course the wildfowl collection which has about 60 different species. Then back to Euston in time for the 10:28 train home.  Tawny Owl pics below and last 2 are Bufflehead and Lesser Scaup from the captive wildfowl collection.