"DANCES WITH OWLS" - DELIVERS !

Meeting Marc at 5.30 a.m. this morning I was hoping that after last week's disappointing show the 'Owl Whisperer' would not let me down and as soon as we left the car a LONG-EARED OWL could be heard clearly as we walked to our vantage point in the hope of seeing a Barn Owl.  Within five minutes we were treated to excellent views, in the improving light of a single Barn Owl and we left just after 6.00 a.m. well satisfied.  It was unusual to arrive at the Towers in relative brightness and calm.  Pied Wagtail and Meadow Pipits were noted along with 3 Great Crested Grebes sitting on the glass like sea.  As we reached Cold Harbour Heathy managed to pick-up a single bird sitting on the rocks which turned out to be a SNOW BUNTING.  A newly arrived Chiffchaff enjoyed its picture being taken and we reached the fortunately redundant 'Environment Agency' diggers and excavators to be met by our long staying chums the 3 SHORELARKS.  Heathy has now taken more photos of these than his own children and on our return walk we surprisingly re-found the HOODED CROW which had gone A.W.O.L. for a few weeks.  Another year tick soon came with two flyover Siskins and we met up with Chris Hindle who is still flying solo.  Another look around the rocks at the Towers still failed to turn up any Black Redstarts or Wheatear.  We moved on to Brooksend where Hen Harrier, Marsh Harrier and Kestel were added.  We both headed for home about 11.00 a.m. after another enjoyable session.  Hopefully a few migrants will grace us with their presence next weekend.