Herons in the centre in of Luton

Although regularly recorded in the northern parts of Luton on the quieter streams that make the headwaters of the River Lea (three overwinterered last year), this is the first encounter I have had with Little Egret in the open amongst people taking their walks and chucking out their unwanted bread in Wardown Park. This individual represented a new species on the WEBS count list for the site on Sunday. Meanwhile his larger cousin was keeping out of the way in the higher boughs of a willow.

River Lea Luton

Walking along the river through the northern suburbs of Luton in winter as part of the Duck Hunt revealed three Little Egrets again this year. Plenty of walkers around this area means the birds are familiar to humans and allow closer approach than may be normal elsewhere in the county. Three Kingfishers, a Water Rail and wintering Little Grebe again in Wardown Park added to my tally but no snipe sp this year though there have been a couple recently.

Short-eared Owl

This Short-eared Owl was found in a stairwell of a block of flats in Luton.  It was taken to the Bedfordshire Wildlife Rescue and later released on Totternhoe Knolls. 15th November 2012

Ring Ouzel

This bird has been in a Farley Hill, Luton garden yesterday and today. Photo by Giancarlo Dinghile

Luton Garden Reed Bunting 3 Apr 2010

Been in my house ten years and not had a bunting on my garden list until 2010. Following a male Yellowhammer on 15 Jan (also on the blog), a male Reed Bunting appeared on 3rd April, making my second garden tick of the year and the second bunting. Now the third bunting may be more tricky and certainly going to be rarer...

Luton Garden Yellowhammer 15Jan2010

Just to show what can come into a suburban garden as a result of the weather we have been having over the last month. A nice surprise and garden tick while working from home. A wide angle image of the bird in context with the snowman and some of my feeders just for fun as well.