Hel Hath No Birdies

The Big Garden Birdwatch came around again and my garden rose to the challenge. Couldn't have asked for better weather. Blue skies, beautiful light and on the cold side, meaning feeders were active. The hour started out well with a 2nd Cal White-Tailed Eagle chasing a Mute Swan at the far side of the lake.  Several Goosander were present along with a couple of Goldeneye, Red Breasted Merganser and a single male Smew. The usual party of Great Spotted Woodpecker put on a good show, with two birds drumming  Great Spotted Woodpecker Great Spotted Woodpecker - 4K video. Select highest resolution in YouTube. Other decent birds in the hour included Robin (always scarce in Winter but our garden has one or two every year), Willow Tit, a flock of Northern Long Tailed Tit, Goshawk and a calling Black Woodpecker. Tree Sparrow Yellowhammer Siskin Notable absentees included Whooper Swan (herself had two in the bay

The warm winter continues as the year and decade begins, but there's been some enjoyable birding nonetheless, in between the wet days. As often happens at this time of year, I felt the urge to year tick the best bird in the universe, Hawk Owl. It's not been the best winter for owls, but as always, there's one of two Hawkies for the having. I was lucky that there was one individual near the in-law's place, so it was a simple matter to align a visit for Lyra with them and a bit of superb owl watching. The bird was present in a spruce by the car park when I arrived, but almost immediately did a close fly-by, giving great flight views, before heading to a copse in the center of the open area. Hawk Owl - The best bird in the universe. End of. Hawk Owl - 4K video - select maximum resolution in YouTube. It was then on to Laajalahti, where, having seen Black and Grey Headed Woodpecker along with the owl, I rounded off the woodpeckers with W

The year started with finding some black and yellow stunners, these cracking Shorelarks. Shore Larks - These are pretty scarce birds and always delightful little skitterers. Shorelark - A hard bird to beat. It was also a good winter for Hawk Owl and Rough Legged Buzzard in the area. Hawk Owl - The Best Bird in the Universe Rough Legged Buzzard - Always class. An obliging male Parrot Crossbill was also one of the Winter's highlights. You rarely get to see them in this manner. Parrot Crossbill Winter Owls were also top billing, with Pygmy Owl present in our garden and others in the neighborhood. That silhouette. Pygmy Owl  This Great Grey Owl also gave itself up in the city. Gandalf - Hard to beat a Great Grey Owl We then made a trip to Andalucia, Spain for a family meet up and some choice birding. Azure-Winged Magpie - a long desired lifer Crested Coot Whit