Heading into winter 2017

Time for an update, my apologies to followers of my blog for the lack of recent posts.

We have had some difficult family issues to deal with and that takes precedence over everything else, my love of wildlife is great but my love of our family is greater.

An "accidental" holiday in Fuerteventura brought us some nice temperatures, 25 to 28 degrees Centigrade is very comfortable. We should have been birdwatching in Portugal but the flight was with Monarch Airlines, fortunately the holiday was booked through a travel agent, they immediately refunded us but other holidays were limited as ex Monarch customers re-booked flights.

Fuerteventura has much to offer, glorious sunsets on the west of the island...

An endemic kestrel, slightly rustier looking than the common kestrel...

Lots of southern grey shrikes

Spectacled warbler which took us an age to spot after we heard its characteristic call from a shrub!

Plenty of waders and gulls were seen and we had an enjoyable week.

Back home a big number of hawfinches had arrived, the largest of the finch family they migrate here in winter but not usually in such big numbers. Our best opportunity to see them in numbers was at Yorkshire Arboretum part of the Castle Howard estate.

Superficially similar to female chaffinch their size and massive bill makes them fairly easy to spot!

Another bird species has been appearing locally, and one close to my heart as the relentless persecution of them continues...hen harrier at my raptor watchpoint.

Yes a murky day but the sight of a hen harrier always gladdens my heart!

We had a few days in SW Scotland with some good friends, a magnificent starling murmuration was one of the highlights.

And a tiny goldcrest

Red squirrels at Eskrigg Nature Reserve nr Lockerbie are a delight!

Back at my raptor watch a sparrowhawk flew overhead

A chance sighting of a jay as we drove down a quiet country lane!

And then...a joyous day, a full adult male hen harrier not too far from home. Local birders disclosed the location to a few trusted people, fortunately that includes me. Along with a good mate we searched, searched and once again searched to no avail! Driving along a quiet road we finally spotted it flying along side us!! Car parked as carefully as we could picked it up heading further away, a quick study of the map disclosed a path that may get us closer. I drove a short distance to the area we chose, fortunately a small car park was nearby. What started as a decent path on the edge of woodland quickly became a muddy gloopy slippery mess, several ditches had to be crossed, logs had been placed as bridges but they were icy. Carrying long range camera gear makes you top heavy and more slip prone, feet sunk into bogs but on we trudged, laughter can make you forget how cold and wet your feet are.

Eventually we crested a small ridge and there below us about 100 yards away...the male hen harrier!

We took care to keep concealed to minimise any risk of disturbance and then retraced our muddy steps back to the car, a great experience!

I seem to be having good fortune with hen harriers at the moment, a third location has a juvenile female showing well...

 Work hard and you get lucky maybe? Be respectful of wildlife and it rewards you? Keep in touch with others who love wildlife? A combination of all three probably and I would not have it any other way. There is definitely a correlation between the frequency you get out and the rewards you get, respect for wildlife is always key, disturb a bird or creature and you may never see it again, earn the trust of others and they share things. Three easy steps for all aspiring birdwatchers and or photographers.

Many thanks to all who read the blog, please don't forget if you do comment that they do come to me first for moderation.

Cheers hope you all had a great Christmas and I wish you a Happy New Year.