Comet and Thicknees

After failing to locate Comet C/22011 L4 Panstarrs last month mainly because it was too low on the horizon and inclement weather I finally managed to see it from Napton on the Hill last night as it starts its climb towards Cassiopeia. It’s not a good looking object being just about visible to the naked eye as a fuzzy blob and not as bright as predicted. On the other hand if you are looking for something awesome then Saturn and some of its moons is showing well.

On the downside it was a bloody cold night not helped by a close calling Tawny Owl that would not show itself and when dawn came a Chiffchaff was heard in the dawn chorus but little else noted apart from a distant Barn Owls around Napton Reservoir and the adjacent marinas.

A female Brambling was with the finch flock in the field next to the Bridge Nursery while the surprise of the morning was a House Martin over Napton Reservoir.

A walk along the canal to my bus stop produced Raven, Buzzard, Jay and a couple of Chiffchaff but when I got off at the pond the wind was over 20mph and making life very uncomfortable. There was a Sand Martin on the roof of the visitor center when Chris and Pete appeared offering a lift to Buckinghamshire. I did not need to be asked twice and we were soon heading south hoping to see a Stone Curlew at Gallows Bridge Farm NR five miles east of Bicester so not too far away for a twitch. Originally it had been on the farm track but was now in a ploughed field s but still good views in the scope.

one of 2 Water Rail that are still present in toft shallows. by Bob Hazel