Leucistic Marsh Harrier

Over the winter, an incredible and rare leucistic Marsh Harrier has been drawing attention around Willow Tree Fen in south Lincolnshire. This striking bird, with its unusually white plumage, is originally from Otmoor in Oxfordshire—while its sibling has been reported wintering in Gloucestershire.

Now looking a little worn after the colder months, it’s still an amazing sight in the skies, particularly when seen against clear blue like this. The leucism gives it a ghostly appearance in flight—more white than the typical brown tones of a Marsh Harrier, making it stand out instantly.

It’s not often you get to see such a distinctive raptor so regularly, and it’s been a real treat for local birders and photographers alike to enjoy its presence throughout the season. Willow Tree Fen has offered the perfect habitat—open reedbeds, wide skies, and plenty of space for this elegant hunter to roam.

Little Gulls visit Deeping Lakes

Little Gulls have always been one of my favourite species and it was great to find a flock of around 15 birds yesterday morning before work. They were all adults about from one 1st winter. I counted 18 in the afternoon, but they were hard to count among the masses of Black-headed Gulls. Probably my biggest flock on the patch.

Patch Med Gull

Still quite a rare bird for Deeping Lakes, so was pleased to find this 2nd summer on Thursday morning, before work.

Dark-breasted Barn against a dark background

More Dark-breasted Barn Owl

Some more of the very popular Dark-breasted Barn Owl currently near Bourne.

Sleeping Tawny Owl

It’s not often I get to see a Tawny Owl, so when one sets up a winter roost not far from home, you'd think I'd be straight there. But despite this bird being in the same spot for its second—or maybe even third—winter, I hadn’t made the trip until last week.

I arrived to find it dozing in its usual roost hole, perfectly nestled into the bark like a woodland spirit. It only woke briefly for a quick preen before settling back down, eyes closed, soaking up the dappled sunlight.

Even though I didn’t catch it at its most active, I was still thrilled to get this classic image—a sleepy Tawny, tucked into the tree as if it were carved from the wood itself.

I’ll definitely have to return soon before spring kicks off in full and this magical little corner of the woods changes with the season.

Frosty March Hares

Last weekend offered up one of those magical moments that make all the early starts and frozen fingers completely worth it. It was an absolute treat to photograph Brown Hares in the frost, and what a morning it turned out to be.

With around ten hares scattered across the field, the scene was full of energy and classic hare behaviour—chasing, dodging, and, of course, boxing. The frosty ground added a beautiful shimmer to the landscape, making every movement stand out just that little bit more.

Every now and then, one curious hare would sprint straight towards me, completely unaware I was tucked away quietly at the edge of the field. It’s always a thrill when wildlife comes to you on its own terms—moments like that feel like a real connection.

Photographing Brown Hares in their natural winter habitat is a special kind of challenge and reward. Their speed, alertness, and interactions make for an unpredictable but always exciting shoot. I feel really lucky to have witnessed such a lively gathering in those stunning frosty conditions.

Here’s hoping for more crisp mornings and a few more close encounters soon.

More Dark-breasted Barn Owl

It's been an enjoyable few weeks photographing this Dark-breasted Barn Owl. More to come.

Shocked Shortie!

The weather has been challenging lately, and life has thrown in a few distractions (more on those soon!), so my visits to see the Short-eared Owls have been a bit less frequent. But late last month, I had one of those moments that make the wait worthwhile—a truly incredible encounter.

I was lucky enough to find a Short-eared Owl perched on a post right by the road. It was completely unfazed by my presence, allowing me to approach and watch it from just a few metres away. For half an hour, I had the privilege of observing and photographing it as it scanned the fields, occasionally shifting its position from post to post in search of prey. It was a magical experience—just me, the owl, and the fading light of the evening.

So, why do these photos show it looking less than relaxed? Well, a couple of passing cyclists changed the mood. The owl wasn't happy about their sudden appearance and decided to put on its best Long-eared Owl impression—elongating its body and pulling in its feathers to look more camouflaged. It wasn’t fooling anyone, though! This tense posture didn’t last long, and once the cyclists were gone, it quickly returned to its usual relaxed state.

Hopefully, I'll be able to spend more time with them again soon!

This male Marsh Harrier was ringed and tagged on the Nene Washes in 2023. A few of us saw it heading south on Saturday, over Bourne south fen.

Dark-breasted Barn Owl Surprise

This stunning Dark-breasted Barn Owl has been gracing the area for a few weeks now, and over the weekend, I was lucky enough to enjoy some incredible close-up views of this rare visitor. The contrast in its rich, dusky plumage compared to our native Barn Owls is striking—giving it a completely different appearance.

Interestingly, its behaviour also seems different. Unlike the typical British Barn Owl, which favours open fields and low perches, this individual often hunts from trees and chooses to roost deep within an evergreen—a behaviour I’ve rarely seen from our resident Barn Owls!

More Short-eared Owl in flight

The Short-eared Owls have been absolutely incredible to photograph lately—not just perched gracefully on posts but also in flight, which has been an exhilarating challenge. There’s something truly captivating about these owls; their effortless glides, piercing eyes, and unpredictable movements make them endlessly fascinating.

Every evening, I’ve found myself completely drawn to their behavior, constantly trying to refine my shots and capture their magic in new ways. Whether it’s the way they hover against the golden light of dusk or the intensity of their gaze as they scan the ground, these owls have a way of pulling you in. It’s been such a rewarding experience to see my photos improve with each outing, and I’m already looking forward to the next session.

Tree Sparrow

It’s always a special moment when you spot a bird that’s become a rare sight in your local area. That’s exactly what happened last autumn when my friend Hugh and I visited Spurn. Among the many incredible sights, we were thrilled to enjoy some wonderful views of Tree Sparrows—a species that’s sadly becoming increasingly uncommon around us these days.