Only the 4th day I've been able to do any birding this year, I was only 5 birds behind the leader, so I had a couple of birds on the target list for the day.
Woodcock was the main target, but shelduck on Astley was bird number 87. That was a pleasing start, and the weather was beautiful although a bit chilly!
After assessing the chosen plantation, I found an area to access which was easy to get in but really boggy under foot.
After about 50 yards I thought I was in the right area and low and behold a woodcock flushed from a large patch of brambles right against the fence. Bird 88 was a massive one, and has taken a lot of effort over the last 13 months (dipped on it last year).
On the way back to the hide I bumped into a Sparrowhawk which flew out of fleet plantation and perched up in a tree overhanging the river. 89 was a cracking start.
That was it for the day, but the Marsh harrier is back, peregrine was reported, 2 seperate sightings of Water rail and a green woodpecker on fleet lane have pushed the site total to within spitting distance of 100.
Target birds are still red kite & barn owl. Should pick up skylark before long and hopefully the Iceland will be joined by a glauc in a regular roost before long.
100 birds in january I think is a little out of reach for me, but that's the goal!
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