One adult and one 2nd cal Yellow Legged Gull in the roost this evening, and at least 2 very dark adult argentatus.    One of the strangest things i've ever seen, however, was a huge ("it was this big") what i think was a pike cruising around an area of the mere. All the gulls went up and i assumed it was a Peregrine, however after a few minutes of fruitless scanning i noticed something swimming around - at first i thought it was an Otter, then i realised it was a large fish swimming around and behaving weirdly. The gulls all landed at the other end of the mere. The lack of a dorsal fin, very rounded fins at the rear end, sleek shape and even the underbite of the lower jaw could all be seen as it cruised around right at the surface of the water with a large amount of it out of the water - got the impression that the eyes were above water a lot of the time.  Occasionally it would splash about a bit, or even upend with its back end in the air. I'd love to know what the hell it was doing!?

There was a male Lesser Spotted Woodpecker today, i'm well chuffed. It was in some tall trees, viewed from the cricket pavilion looking in the direction of the Natural England car park. They're quite obvious as they are full of ivy. It flew in and moved around these trees for a few minutes then flew off in the direction of Wood Bongs.
A pair of Stock  Doves over the churchyard.

The adult Yellow Legged Gull was again present in the roost, with an argentatus, and the palest adult LBBGull i've ever seen - it was midway in mantle colour between LBBGull & YLGull, but was otherwise spot on for a LBBGull, identical in size, shape, structure to the graellsii it was next to.
4 Goosander also.

Yesterday, the ad YLGull was again present, i arrived a bit late so only checked a small % of the roost, a flock of c. 3000 starlings was flying over the church on my approach. A pair of Tawny Owls roused and started calling in the trees to the left of the churchyard.

At least 3 Tawny Owls were calling as they became active just before dusk, one flying from left to right while i was sitting on the bench viewing from the churchyard.

At 7.25pm, when it was getting quite dark, a Hobby flew from left to right. 5 mins later it came back round, over the churchyard between the church and the trees, straight over the bench low and then low over the trees to the left - i think it was hunting some of the bats that were around - not many hirundines left now.

At ten to 8 i jumped as a Barn Owl flew overhead coming from behind and screeched as it went.

Green Woodpecker this morning on the dead tree near the gate on the left. Also a Great Spotted Woodpecker and a few Chiffchaff.

Regards Sid, missed you by a few days again

Juvenile Purple Heron this morning. Showing intermittently up to 14.20 at least at the far end of the mere from the observatory. I should make it clear that access is by permit only.

Juvenile Purple Heron this morning. Showing intermittently up to 14.20 at least at the far end of the mere from the observatory.

-- Edited by Mike Duckham on Thursday 9th of March 2017 01:17:05 AM

Best bird for this visit was my best-ever view of a presumed heinei Common Gull, in good light, next to a normal canus for a handy comparison (though it's not possible to be 100% certain). I wonder if this recent easterly airflow brought it in.

5 Goosander also present, with the church organ parping out Christingle hymns as an accompaniment.

One 2nd calendar Mediterranean Gull in the roost from the churchyard yesterday evening (Fri) was an enjoyable and educational find - i don't think i've seen one looking exactly like this before, the primaries were fully regrown but it still had a fantastic black mask behind the eye making it a striking bird with a head pattern resembling a winter Forsters Tern or Grey Phalarope!  There's a very similar bird photographed on Birding Frontiers:  http://birdingfrontiers.com/2012/01/12/interesting-opportunity-to-identify-a-4th-winter-mediterranean-gull-on-plumage/  with a similar head pattern and bill, though that birds' primaries are still growing.

Recent sightings from the Observatory.

Common sandpiper, Tufted duck, Mandarin duck, Kingfisher, Gadwall, Little grebe, Raft of Great crested grebe.

We may not have an Ospreys nest but we do have a Buzzards nest viewable from the observatory. Two young can be seen preening and exercising in the nest.

We also have a feeding station immediately in front of the Observatory and this morning Bullfinch, Chiffchaff, Blackcap and a Goldcrest were attracted offering close-up views.

The observatory is generally open to visitors on Sunday and Wednesday mornings between 10am and noon.

Phil

Used to go and watch the murmations of starlings at Rostherne Church (at the top of the Mere) about 15 years ago. A peregrine used to harass them. Not been since, so I can only imagine they still go but alas in smaller numbers.