Something's turd in the garden......come on Sherlock...help me solve the mystery!

Something stirred in the garden...at the end of it to be precise. For quite a while now...at least the last couple of months... nights have been disturbed by a raucous, rhythmic scream. Not a fox. Or a muntjac. Or any owl call I know. And then this morning the mystery creature had left its calling card near the shed. Oh my goodness! I would not like to meet the owner of the sphincter that generated a stool of such epic proportions...but it has spurred me on to find out what it is. Tonight, intriguingly, it called its distinctive trisyllabic call just below the conservatory window as I sat only a few feet away but I could not see it despite its proximity and staring intently in to the gloom. At some point (ie when I own one) I will set a camera trap and catch the creature on film but for now the creature's identity remains a mystery...

sometimes it is difficult to convey in words how perfect a moment can be......the wind dropped, the sun came out and the temperature rose, ever so slightly. We stood in the middle of a wooded ampitheatre and listened, our ears straining to hear the faintest 'clips' above the distractions of dogwalkers and mountain bikers Against a vibrantly blue sky first red kites, then buzzards and finally ravens soared. A goldcrest lived up to its name. And then we heard what we had been looking for...crossbills...nomadic, elusive, distant. For a tantalisingly short intake of breath they were swirling high above us and then they were gone.

Eurasian Bittern goes into hiding!

At this time of year the reedbed literally only a couple of hundred metres from my front door plays host to one or two rare wintering bitterns and I will often sit in the hide to try and see one...which itself is the real challenge. They tend to become active at dusk as they prepare to roost but can almost disappear at will, even when only a few metres away.

Looking up at the dazzling red kites

Had to laugh at a story in the paper warning people to keep small pets and children indoors because red kites pose a potential threat. They are incredible opportunists and would have been very common in Medieval Britain, scavenging on scraps. They are increasing markedly in the Chilterns because the habitat suits them and there is plenty of food, particularly road kill. This is awesome footage taken at a feeding station in Wales, their stronghold. They are big birds and do not like landing in confined spaces but are very agile. They whistle to contact eachother and I have found they will come and investigate if you whistle as they soar over.

Ring-necked parakeet

Had a great day in North London - had fish'n'chips at Toffs in Muswell Hill and a short stroll around Coldfall Woods. Three ring necked-parakeets were flying around and calling loudly at dusk. Incredible how these birds have established themselves and spread throughout London. Still rare in Wendover but they are pushing their way out in to Bucks.

Jack snipe are incredible birds - they seem to appear and disappear almost at will in the reedy margins of a reservoir. Saw two this morning at Marsworth. Mud can be so interesting! hmm..... I really don't care if people think I'm mad being out so early on New Year's Day......