My partner and I visited Batsford Aboretum in Moreton-in-the-Marsh.
My app recorded three new birds.
The Blackbird
The Ring Necked Pheasant
Both the above birds were a pleasure to hear.I’ve been surprised that I haven’t heard blackbirds where I live, so very happy to hear one at Batsford.
There seems to be quite an active population of pheasants at the Aboretum,probably as they are safe from the shooters.
However,the next bird caused a bit of a controversy,with my partner saying it was a car engine starting.
“What are the odds of the software thinking that a car starting was a Great Bittern ?”. I said. (Or possibly wish I had said as really what I actually did,to my shame was call him a cynic)
We had to agree to disagree, and on the way home ,I did my best to find out if the Great Bittern was a visitor to Moreton-in -the Marsh.It was not definitive.
They have been spotted and heard at Slimbridge and at Cotswold Water Park,and we have had a lot of flooding over the last few days and weeks.It’s possible that either a young juvenile was in the area “grunting” as it hadn’t quite developed it’s throat muscles to “boom” as mature birds do.
So,I am going to include The Great Bittern on my list for February.Not a car engine starting!
thenotsomightyom 