First bird of the year was a Blackbird; several as usual on the apples in the garden at dawn. First tick of the year was a Little Bustard at Friarsthorpe in East Yorkshire. Last saw one of those by the side of the motorway in Monfrague, Spain, on 1st September 1998. Bit distant, and not the most exciting of birds, but a good start to the year!
Raptors seen on the drive up and down were Red Kite, Buzzard, Kestrel, and Sparrowhawk.
