Short Eared Owl

Went over to Huddersfield to try and see the Ring billed gull at Sands lane.No show in the pissing rain and poor light. All was not lost though as on the way near Holmfirth I spotted from the car a lovely Short eared Owl hunting. On reflection I would much rather see an owl than any gull!

Florida

jJust come back from a week in central Florida family holiday but saw some decent birds around the villa and on a trip to Crystal River to see the Manttees.
Best bird was a fabulous Bald Eagle a dream bird for me.

                                                               Bald Eagle      
                                                 

                                                                     Grey Catbird

                                                       Double crested Cormorant

                                                                    Palm Warbler

                                                               Great Blue Heron

                                                             Great White Egret

Red shouldered Hawk

   

                                                         Hooded Merganser

                                                                Lesser Scaup

                                                           Little Blue Heron

                                                    Northern Mocking Bird

                                                              Brown Pelican

                                                                      Osprey

anhinga, 

Anhinga

Sandhill Crane

                                                                      
                                                                      Turkey Vulture

                                                                     White Ibis

                                                                 Pied billed Grebe

                                                                  Ring billed Gull

Yellow throated Warbler

In total I saw 38 species without much effort. The incredible manatees were great to see and we got the opportunity to swim with them too

Lesser Yellowlegs

Myself and Dave went birding today and for a change stayed fairly local. went for the long staying Lesser Yellowlegs at Aldcliffe. We were straight onto it and had good views of it alongside a Wood Sandpiper. We then went to Sizergh Castle in hope of Hawfinch but no luck, it must still be too early. We then went to Leighton Moss where it was pretty quiet. Best birds were a Marsh Tit on the feeders, a few close Snipe, a Raven , a very tame Robin and a Spotted Redshank. We finished off this short day at Woodwell again hoping for a Hawfinch but again they proved to be elusive. We did see another Marsh Tit and I heard its distinctive call.

Waxwings

Had a look at some lovely Waxwings in Wythenshawee today. Still waiting for some to arrive in Saddleworth. Also seen was a Mistle Thrush.