Goshawk and Mealy

An early start got me up in the hills while it was still below freezing. A couple of Raven were perched up, but flew off as I pulled up. The moor was alive with Skylark and Meadow Pipit and a Stonechat flitted about. The wind picked up and despite the sun it seemed to get colder. It took two hours for the first Goshawk to appear, drifting up from a valley to the west, a female that soared across on stiff wings. After this bird disappeared several Buzzard lifted with some displaying. They were joined by a male Goshawk, soaring and displaying for a short time. All the action was very distant through the scope so no photos. Freezing, I retreated to the car and headed for the coast.

East Chevington held the usual with Black-throated Diver, Red-necked Grebe, 2 Slavonian Grebe, 3 Long-tailed Duck and 2 Scaup. No sign again of the Bearded Tit or the Marsh Harrier. News of a Firecrest sent me to the north end of the pool. A good search failed to turn it up, but I did see 10+ Goldcrest, a Chiffchaff and a Treecreeper. A look in the hide produced super close Reed Bunting, Lesser Redpoll and 2 Mealy Redpoll.

Mealy Redpoll