Eurasian Tree Sparrow, Ribchester.
SNOW CAME TO EAST LANCS THIS WEEKEND turning the landscape white and creating some great hiking conditions on Pendle Hill. A couple of ravens and Red Grouse were the only birds of note on the summit there and a walk around the village on Sunday morning was more productive with a Little Egret flying downstream the highlight. A steady stream of lapwings heading west towards the coast totalled 153 and six Common Buzzards was unusual for the time of year. Around 15 tree sparrows were between Parsonage Farm and the churchyard and a Grey Wagtail on the river was my first this year. A second was at Barrow Upper Lodge where the drake Mandarin was waddling around on the ice of the lower lodge. Earlier in the week a Brambling on the feeders at work and a woodcock over the road on the way home were also new for the ELOC year list but I still haven't managed to see as many as the Breaks family did on New Year's Day!
ELOC year list: 80. Brambling 81. Eurasian Woodcock 82. Grey Wagtail 83. Little Egret
Early morning light on Pendle Hill.