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Wednesday, 8 February 2012

Fieldfare - RO

Nature Notes - February 2012

On a very cold misty and bleak February day it was difficult to want to go for a walk, but needing the exercise it was an essential event. February is the most unloved month and walking along the river edge over frozen snow it was obvious why. Nothing seemed to be enjoying the day, redwing and fieldfare were nervously flying from bush to bush, trying to find any lingering hawthorn berries, robin and dunnock searched under the hedges for suicidal spiders; all seemed to be waiting for better times.

Progress was slow and noisy over the frozen ground and the odd snipe flew from the river's edge, herons reluctantly flew from obviously favourite spots, circled the field and returned to the same place once the danger had passed. Cormorants, displaced from frozen lakes, fished the river without much enthusiasm and a single male goosander swam away, seemingly lonely.

White-fronted and a single tundra bean goose had been reported from the north lakes at Wanlip and progress was made towards that site, some 5 miles distant. On reaching Cossington Meadows a slight detour was made towards the owl field, just in case they would put in an appearance. It had been a conscious decision not to join the evening crowds over the last few weeks, even though the spectacle was good, it was diminished by being part of a large group. Some of the group had decided on one occasion to enter the roost field to try and 'encourage' the owls to fly for the cameras!

On rounding the corner on to the track rooks were feeding in the hunting field and were nervously flying up occasionally, which seemed to suggest the owls may be around and sure enough on a fence post sat a short eared owl. Even though it was only 10-45 it was active and calling, soon another flew majestically across the field, also calling. The owl on the post 'fluffed' up its feathers and flew to join the other on a slow flight across the field.

It returned towards its perch, but suddenly stalled and fell in to the vegetation. It had obvious caught a small mammal, but seemed in no rush to eat it, perhaps it had seen the kestrel approaching which I had not! The male kestrel suddenly dived in front of the owl and grabbed the prey and flew across the field with it! The owl seemed confused but not particularly concerned and flew back to its post perch. Over the next 30 minutes the owls interacted with one and another and flew a few 'sorties' across the field and the best thing was that no one else was in sight!

All thoughts of the geese disappeared and the long walk back was started, perhaps February is not so bad after all!

RO