Common Buzzards remain very conspicuous around Ribchester, this one is an adult with a barred breast and broad dark trailing edge to the wing.
THE BIG PUSH OF ARCTIC AIR brought a dusting of snow overnight to Ribchester. I was wondering what it might be good for, it’s an ill wind etc. However, it seems it isn’t good for anything. It was bitingly cold this morning, which must have been a shock to the system for the poor swallows and Sand Martins. I was pleased to see that there were a few still feeding over the river around lunchtime in sheltered spots where there were still insects on the wing. Prior to this nasty weather reversal after such a warm end to March another Willow Warbler had arrived at Red Bank on 4 April, one Redshank is still around as is the pair of Little Ringed Plovers. There are now a few Blackcaps singing despite the extreme cold along with a couple of Chiffchaffs. A pair of otters on 3 April was the first sighting for a few weeks, they come and go and it was nice to see that the usual Tawny and Barn Owls were still around as well. More Osprey near misses continue to frustrate us in Ribchester (Brockholes on 2 April and Calder Foot on 3 April). The vigil continues!
As do Brown Hares! This one almost ran into me today and then stood motionless for a while contemplating its error of judgement.
One of the Little Ringed Plover pair on the riverbank, they would be crazy to nest there with the fluctuating water levels.