Sightings at Sculthorpe Moor (31st March 2018)

It was a cold and wet afternoon at Sculthorpe Moor. Throughout our time there, it continuously rained and made for an unpleasant end to the day.

On a more positive note, the nest box near the forest school contained not one but two adult Tawny Owls. I had previously reported that there was a clutch of 2-3 eggs, but in fact the box contained 5 eggs in total (laid between the 17th and 26th of March).

It was unusual to see this number of eggs for a Tawny Owl and that the box was occupied by two adults. It is unclear if the adults are a pair or if they happen to be two females. In either case, its curious behaviour and it will be interesting to observe the young, as they develop over the coming weeks.

Also, there was an adult Tawny Owl active in the nest box near the Whitley Hide. It was likely that this was one of the adults that used the box last year, but as yet no eggs can be seen in the box.

The following was seen since 12.30pm:
Coal Tit x 3
Bullfinch x 5
Marsh Tit x 2
Nuthatch x 1
Reed Bunting x 3
Little Grebe x 2
Lesser Redpoll x 2
Brambling x 2 - Still a couple of birds present despite it being nearly April. After some some additional research online, I did read that some stragglers may remain into April and early May.
Long-tailed Tit x 5
Grey Heron x 1
Mute Swan x 2 - Despite the rising water levels on the River Wensum, one adult was continuing to build the nest near the Johnson Hide, whilst the second adult was actually sat on the nest.
Treecreeper x 1
Goldfinch x 1

Muntjac Deer x 2