Short-eared Owl in St Andrews Park

Very occasionally something unusual turns up in the park. In the past we've had Waxwings, a Treecreeper, Great Spotted Woodpeckers and the odd fly-over Peregrine or Buzzard. Nothing quite prepared us for this morning's star bird, however. Short-eared Owls breed on moorland in the north and west of the UK and at this time of year move to coastal sites in the south for the winter. We also get an influx of birds from mainland Europe in most autumns. To see one flying only at tree height over the park this morning giving fantastic views was an extraordinary experience for us three lucky birders who turned up for the walk. The list in full:

Short-eared Owl - 1 flew over and was being mobbed by corvids near the bowling green
Raven - 2 flew over and were mobbed mercilessly by Carrion Crows
Carrion Crow - several. One appeared to be extracting seeds from a fir cone
House Sparrow - heard chirping
Magpie - a few
Jay - 2 or 3 mainly seen in flight
Woodpigeon - several
Feral Pigeon - a small flock
Robin - several birds seen and heard including one watching the pond-clearers
Great Tit - a few heard calling
Goldfinch - 1 small group observed feeding on the fruit of Plane trees
Wren - 1 heard behind the pond
Herring Gull - 1 strutting its stuff near the play area
Blackbird - 1 seen by one of the group
Raptor sp. - a brief view of a medium-sized raptor by one member of the group

At Montpelier Station the wildlife wall produced a Dock Leaf Bug and a new bug for me - a probable Scolopostethus species. There was a Buff-tailed Bumblebee and an adult and pupal stage Harlequin Ladybird. At least 2 Jays were seen.


Probable Scolopostethus

Dock Bug