No respite, up early doing a round of visits to Matthew's WeBS count sites near to Penistone, South Yorshire. Nice to visit previous birding haunts but, sadly, some lamentable changes and developments too! Overall, though, a good selection of waterbirds at the various reservoirs we covered. A real bonus was finding a Little Owl perched in the shelter of a stone wall and giving fine views. Equally satisfying were several views of Red Grouse at different locations in the moorland areas we visited and two Ravens near Winscar, a species that has secured a remarkable recovery in the Peak Park area in recent years.
A journey through to Fairburn Ings RSPB reserve to see Long-eared Owl. There has been six at maximum, but daily sighting totals vary. Today only one was in view, puffed out with the cold but showing well at distance in the bright, and welcome, winter sun! Said farewell to Matthew, for the present time, and went through to York to see Ashley for a Dad/daughter gossip. Already half way through the course at the College of Law, time seems to have flown by since the autumn. A pleasant meal with her and Dan and then back to Fairburn for an overnight.
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