List changes?

News came through today that the BOU will adopt the IOC list from January 2018. I might just have figured out the changes to my list by then!!! More on that later.

 

Today was a slow day in the wonderful winter sunshine. Pre-dawn I added Barn Owl (H.35) down Snakey Lane. a stretch for Bud on the clifftop at Easington produced my first Cormorants (3) of the year (P.73, S.25). I then drove down Easington straight through the fog hoping that the Whooper Swan was still present (and viewable), it was, with another...

 

P.74, S.26

 

Always a pleasure to see.

 

After lunch I decided to drive down to Stone Creek to see if I could add Hen Harrier to my year list. On the way down I noticed a shape right next to the road. I approached slowly expecting the usual departure but was surprised as the bird remained totally unconcerned by the cars presence...

 

Grey Partridge P.75

As I drove down the straight at Stone Creek I was greeted by a Sparrowhawk sat on the hedge...

 

 

I spent all afternoon waiting for a HH to show but it didn't happen. I was entertained by at least 3 Short-eared Owls...a few images...

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other notable birds seen were Buzzard, Marsh Harrier (male), Kingfisher, Stonechat (2), Tree Sparrow (c20), Curlew (115). Skylarks (c10) were also disputing territories which was uplifting.

 

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My interest in Cyprus Birding had me checking my regular sites. A GREAT BLACK-HEADED GULL (prefer the name to Pallas's Gull) was present at Larnaca Sewage Works today. Pity I couldn't find one last January! Maybe this March? An adult would be nice!

 

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