🦆 Cotwall End Valley nature diary
February 1
First treecreeper, in woodland just off the lane. Total now up to 40.
Cormorant in flight, east to west.
Two ravens calling in flight, heading north along the centre of the valley.
Fox in field off lane.
February 3
Female sparrowhawk lazily making its way north along the western slope.
February 4
Little egret in flight over Straits, heading in a NW direction.
February 5
Seven greenfinches in a garden tree in Keats.
February 6
Morning walk in the immediate area, a female sparrowhawk in low flight across gardens in Wordsworth and a herring gull in low flight, also over Wordsworth.
February 10
First great black-backed gull, in flight and seen from the garden. The 41st species of the year.
February 11
Pair of bullfinches in thicket alongside fairway on the golf course.
First black-headed gull in summer plumage, in flight near Spout House Farm.
February 13
First grey heron of the year, poised over the main pond in my garden. Up to 42 for the year.
February 14
Up to 43 for the year with a goldcrest in ivy-covered trees off the lane.
February 17
Three silent ravens low over valley, from west to east.
February 18
Grey heron in low flight over Wordsworth, heading SE.
February 19
A drive along the lane at dark and a Muntjac feeding on grass alongside the road. It stayed there for a few seconds before realising I was there.
February 19
Flock of c.10 goldfinches in early dusk flight over Wordsworth.
February 25
Three ravens soaring over eastern slope.
February 26
Heard them first from the garden, then got my binoculars and counted 43 carrion crows in trees on the eastern ridge.
February 28
Up to 43 species, with a nuthatch in the garden.
Cotwall End Valley nature pages here