Peter Jones Wildlife blog

A nice end to 2019 as I flicked through an insect field guide and solved a mystery from the summer family holiday.. a Grasshopper sp. in France, finally identified as a Large Conehead. A species I didn't know about until today.  (I was only familiar with Long Winged and Short Winged, neither quite fitting this one, which I first notice in the campsite shower block) Then driving home after dark this evening, I saw a Barn Owl on a roadside post, about 100yards from where I suspected hearing nesting Barn Owls 18 months ago when I was finishing a Bat survey! This is the first time I have actually seen one in this area. I occasionally see one closer to home on the other edge of the village.

Decided to break a long journey with a morning in Rutland Water. Reserve seems to have quadrupled in the 15 years or so since I last visited, and like so many lakes in England is now colonised by Great White Egrets. Up to 6 seen from a hide near the reserve centre. Also 2, possibly 3 Smew was a nice surprise. 31 hides! that must be a record in the UK