Wilberforce Wood, Foredyke Green and Noddle Hill in February

I take the bus to Kingswood for a morning visit to Noddle Hill, the relative calm after the storm of yesterday, it is a mild day with brief sunny spells. I added Pink-footed Goose (number 77) yesterday morning, as six flew over Pearson Park, and today I added a frustrating Lesser Redpoll (number 78) as three moved calling around Alders and Birch at Wilberforce wood as I made my way to Noddle Hill, but I was unable to find them again.

A displaying female Sparrowhawk near Kingswood ASDA.

Siskin with Goldfinches by the temporary pond at Wilberforce Wood. The pond was full.

The permanent pond at Foredyke Green. Not overflowing like last year, it is possible to walk around it.

One of several Rabbits at Foredyke Green.

Roe Deer buck with new antlers in velver coming through.

This plump frog in the middle of the path up Foredyke Stream was my first amphibian of the year.

I flushed a Kingfisher near the pumping station, but I was unable to relocate it. As I photographed a Reed Bunting I noticed a Barn Owl, perched on a hawthorn. It is unusual for Barn Owls to hunt in the day, but they do if they have been unable to hunt the previous night, which might well have been the case, as it was raining most of it. It watched me for a bit, before getting on with trying to spot breakfast on the ground, until a Carrion Crow spotted it and chased it away.

Barn Owl.

Tree Sparrows, Linnets and a Yellowhammer were at the feeders. I saw a small raptor with the sun in my eyes, being chased by crows, but unsure what it was. Skylarks were singing from the fields, but no signs of Lapwing.