Nordic Jackdaw - Towneley Golf Course, Burnley, Lancs - 26th Feb 2008.

Gareth Morgan photographed this Nordic Jackdaw on his mobile phone whilst at work today.

As for my activity today, a check of Withnell landfill area early-mid afternoon revealed few Gulls. Burnley birder Tony Bennett put in a few hours from late morning and apparently saw fewer Gulls in the area than I did. Gull numbers can be unpredicatable at this site, and there is a falconer onsite at least two days a week.

I gave up on the Tockholes Great Grey Shrike after thirty minutes in very windy conditions and drove to Brockholes where the usual good selection of waterfowl was present including the Ferruginous x Pochard hybrid, a fine drake Pintail, 37 Goldeneye, 24 Pochard, 35+ Tufted, 2 Wigeon, 27 Gadwall, 24 Shoveler and 2 Shelduck as well as 38 Oystercatcher and 27 Curlew present by 16:30. I expect more of the latter two species will be coming into roost onsite towards dusk.

In a very difficult near gale force wind, the Fishmoor roost was disappointing in terms of 'large' Gull numbers. An adult Med Gull was amongst the Black-headeds.