Local Cranes

 

Barn Owl in the wind

Been windy last few days and only one Barn Owl was out, in a territory that usually has three birds hunting. Although not that windy this evening, still seemed either to stop this male from catching much. Goes to show how much the weather impacts this birds. 
 

Backlight Barn Owl

 

Day hunting LEO

I've been watching local Long-eared Owls for around twenty years now. They are still mythical to me. They breed and winter just a few miles from my house, and my encounters have been endless. Each one more special than the last, yet I have never been one of those to have seen a day hunting adult Long-eared Owl... until today! 

We watched this bird for over two hours. The bird had an afternoon nap in the open, which was pretty special. Then when the weather turned to overcast, it started to hunt and we watched it catch several prey. Views, at times, were point blank, but genuinely, the more distant views of the bird, hunting ditches, were the best. It was a true first and something very special. And, just a few miles from our house!

More Barn Owl highlights

With the settled weather continuing, the Barn Owls continued to show well on Valentine's early evening. 

Valentine's Owls

I have seen lots of Kestrels, when driving around this winter, indicating a good season for rodents and alike. And if it's good for Kestrels, chances are it's good for Owls! As ever. February is a great month to see Owls around us and the Barn Owls have been putting up on a show. 

Seems like there are a lot of shrews around, judging by the catch rate of these owls.