Short eared owls

There are currently up to four short eared owls in the nearby Gosley Farm near Charney Bassett. Parked the car and within 10 metres, I disturbed an owl that had been roosting in the hedge along a ploughed field. It flew around the field for a couple of minutes, before landing on the ground some distance away. Found a second owl on the far side of the field.

Distant photo of short eared owl

Return to Wales

Spent the weekend at Jenx house in Cardiff so used the opportunity to check out Goldcliff in the Gwent levels. They have 3 new hides one of which gives a new view over the lagoons nearest the sea wall. In a productive couple of hours, the highlights were 2 Greenshanks, 1 Spotted redshank, female Marsh harrier, 3 avocets on the foreshore, and an unusual looking bird that one onlooker stated looked like both a goose and a swan. Turns out that it was a feral swan goose, native to the Mongolia.

Next location was Forest Farm nature reserve where a bittern had been reported. Reached the hide and happy to see that the bittern was showing well, along with a water rail and a pair of bullfinches.

Snow bunting at Farmoor

Male Snow bunting reported at Farmoor along the causeway. He came close enough for me to get some photos although did not stay long. Others birders were searching for it as I left. also had some nice views of a male Goldeneye with a group of eight females.