Had the luxury of an hour with Mrs B before she started work this morning. We headed for the Killeröd loop walk that we do every now and again and it proved to be a good idea. We heard a calling male pygmy owl about 200 metres up the trail and Mrs B rather annoyingly saw it briefly in flight! Also here goldcrest (2), long-tailed tit (8), coal tit (1), redpoll (8) and a single common crossbill (my first of the year). Greylag and Canada geese moved north in small numbers here and at other sites throughout the rest of the day.
Later I checked out Ranarpstrand, picking up a single lapwing at Ranarp en route. The coast here had a good collection of shelduck (18), wigeon (4) and a grey heron. Out on Grytskären three oystercatchers poked about.
Next I endeavoured to find the water pipit at Vasaltheden. I saw this bird in October at nearby Glimminge plantering but then it went missing only to be re-located nearby by Mats Ljungren recently. I finally found it at the southern end of the Vasaltheden shoreline. Superb bird and nearby a rock pipit too - both these species have been really hard to find this winter whilst meadow pipits have simply vanished. It will be emotional to see a mipit when they finally return. Also here more shelduck (4), wigeon (6) and another oystercatcher.
After tea I nipped out to listen for owls at Killeröd and heard a singing tawny owl and probably in the distance the pygmy owl again. A great day.
Mipits back at Chutney Ledge, Phil. It was pretty emotional i can tell you! By the way can you not send us any more of your freezing cold continental bird less Noreasterlies, it's scuppering my plans for an early 'white-arse'!
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