Lapwings Gather

Once again Lapwings are gathering for winter on the roof of Industrial units. My local flock has now reached an impressive 280 on the 28th November and may well increase further as winter progresses.

November has now proved to be the warmest on record and with seven inches of rain the wettest locally since records began. The warmth has resulted in a Hedgehog still feeding in the garden on the 3rd December which is a remarkable date. As for all the wet nights I fear that at least half of all the young Owls that fledged this summer will no longer be with us!

The Merlin is one of the Pennines most secretive raptors and seldom seen away from the hills. The only one that I have ever seen locally was on the 26th December 1976! I had gone out to ring my 1000th Greenfinch of the year (How times have changed!) and what should turn up in the net but a female Merlin! It certainly made my Christmas. This weeks gallery includes photos from breeding Merlin in Bowland. Click here