Winter 2016 / 2017 has been worse.... The Worst....
I have never had many concerns about our resident Long-eareds - they were nailed on, Lots of pairs always there, no problem, guaranteed year round...
Not the case now after a series of poor breeding cycles...
So much so this season that I havnt daylight searched any more than 6 locations, with no more than a max of 3 birds... & switched to searching for Jack Snipe as the Bigg Luggs were proving so hard to come by.
For Example, a traditional location where ive had regular double fig roosts, including 18 in a single tree was blank this winter....
Things are picking up & pairs are beginning to call & display - though its obvious some sites are sadly vacant - the populations is certainly at a 20 year low - but, hopefully not for long...
