A Fox trotted over a field this morning during a wintry shower.
I checked out my feed station this morning before lunch, it was nice to see 8 Tree Sparrows present today. All the usual put in an appearance, Yellowhammer, Chaffinch, Great, Blue and Coal Tits, 4 Blackbirds, plenty of House Sparrows, Dunnock and a Starling to name a few. A male sparrowhawk zipped by me and in to the church yard area. About 50 Redwing flew over into the old railway trees and a couple of Fieldfare.
After lunch I visited Swithland reservoir, a good place to see Mandarin Duck, I could see at least 12 under the overhanging willows, the drakes looking very splendid. On the main reservoir there were the commoner duck species, but low in number. A Grey Wagtail was on the dam and a couple of Bullfinch were in the bushes along the back of the dam.
A drake Ruddy Duck in winter plumage was present, these are fairly unusual to see nowadays following the national culling program to reduce the potential threat to the Spanish White-headed Duck population. The Ruddy Duck is a UK non-native duck, from North America, that can hybridise with the w-h Duck, the cull has divided opinion on whether it is right to do this or not.
From the top of its usual tree on the adjacent hill a Peregrine surveyed the scene, often flying around. At one point there were 4 Buzzard in the air, the Peregrine often had an interaction with them. Also, 2 Ravens were often seen or heard, probably a pair breeding in the area, these are early breeders.
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