'Our' female peregrine hasn't had it all her own way this week. Yesterday, she was reported to have made at least 5 failed attempts to catch her dinner - now I'm putting this down to the fact that we have a little more water on the North Brooks and as a result a few more ducks - perhaps she just isn't quite sure what to choose from the menu! And today, she wasn't too pleased about a second peregrine, a juvenile, who seems to be encroaching on her patch. The juvenile has been seen a few times this week, on one occasion trying to persuade the female to share her dinner and today I saw it chasing down one of the stock doves at the bottom of the field from the visitor centre.
As well as the peregrine action, the marsh harrier has been reported on the North Brooks today and we've had a couple more short-eared owl sightings over the past day or so. The rain mid-week has brought in a few more ducks, most notably pintail, and there is a smattering of waders to be seen from the Hanger View or Nettley's hide.
It's also well worth a walk around the heathland trail to search for crossbill, siskin and repoll. One of our volunteers found a firecrest close to the bridleway beyong black pond yesterday (well done Jon!) so check any titchy birds carefully!