Ton up at WOW

Surprisingly last week bird number 100 on the WOW patch  was a kestrel which flew over and away. I have seen kestrel there but not for some time although one was spotted in the autumn by one of the regulars over the waste ground to the east. This was one of 29 species including all the regulars plus buzzard, redpoll, snipe and a male pochard. Water levels continue to rise and there has been more rain this week. We are down to two Koniks and they are on their last hurrah as they are to be replaced by Dexter cattle next autumn.

The millet is pulling birds up to the window and one of the eight snipe we saw came over and gave excellent views to a visiting bird group.

Teal

Matching teal

Snipe

Sod's law, best snipe shot photo-bombed by a moorhen.

Common snipe, note central cream stripe on head

Wigeon

Spring shot of Koniks for old times sake.

Heading off to Bolton for a week and hopefully nuthatch and water rail providing I get a morning at Pennington Flash. Should get a post towards the end of the year with summaries and totals. Happy Christmas.  🎅 🎄 🎅

2018  
157: Twite

Bangor West
71: Curlew

Belfast WOW
100: Kestrel