Blakehill Farm Nature Reserve – February 2018

This afternoon I had a few hours spare so decided to visit Blakehill Farm Nature Reserve.  I have been meaning to visit since last summer but I just haven’t got there! The idea of seeing a short eared owl tempted me.  As soon as I had set foot in the reserve I saw a redwing, my first for this year 🙂  I wandered along the path keeping an eye out for anything that moved.  There was a collection of carrion crows and rooks feeding on the grass but little other activity.  I carried on walking as it was bitterly cold – I had dressed in all my warmest clothes but my fingers were suffering even with gloves on.  A kestrel flew over in the distance.  The sun was starting to set and the temperature was dropping further, I started to head back to the car.  I noticed a stonechat and then a robin in a nearby tree.  The stonechat’s accompanied me on part of my walk back, keeping a few fence posts in front of me.  I stopped to take a few images, on another post behind the stonechat’s a kestrel had perched.  I didn’t see a short eared owl on this occasion but there’s always another day, hopefully a warmer one!