Sandown canoe lake - iced over

 



And today (1st March) quite a few GBB gulls

 

Unusual to see lapwing here (twilight zone theme)

 

Probably why the lapwing scarpered

 

Brading down

Wintry

 

Laundry lane

Atmospheric

 

Confiding for a buteo

 

Hawfinch. Even from a distance - very distinct

 

 Toad on the drive way - luckily noticed it and promptly stopped  - Sister-in-law moved it to a safer location. 

 

Pic by Graham Sparshott - recently seen Iceland Gulls near the 'tip'

 

 

 

 

Bembridge ponds - classic 'bittern' location and weather - though none seen. Little egrets and a cattle egret seen passing over on roost type flight path. 

Parkhurst Forest - hawfinch

Out with the brother today, who's back down for a week or two. Though here for a particularly sad and private family reason, some of our time together spent out and about birding is a healthy and helpful pastime.

Being a bright and chilly day we tried Parkhurst Forest with Hawfinch very much in mind (exceptional local numbers this autumn/winter). We soon picked up a few, though fairly unobtrusive in behaviour, we did get some views mostly within the trees. And closer to dusk we had a group together - more or less - perched out in the open. We estimated at least six in the vicinity. Many calls heard (may post a sound clip at some point).

Typical views within the trees.