Sunday, 21 May 2023

Spoonbill on patch




Deeping Lakes is one of the best places, locally, to catch up with Spoonbill. Baston Fen also seems to attract birds annually but they never seem to stick as long, not that birds hang around as long as this bird did usually. This second summer spent most of Saturday on East Pit and as usual for Spoonbill, sleeping. This bird great views during it's stay. Stunning birds.

 

Eyed Hawkmoth


Reward from helpin

Avocet parent



An evening visit to Frampton Marsh RSPB, mid-week was bliss. Virtually no one there apart from Dad and I. Highlights were 2 Spoonbills and 3 Little Stints as well as the many pairs of Mediterranean Gulls. The mass death of Black-headed Gulls from avian flu was less pleasant to experience but numerous Avocet families was great to see. 

Sunday, 26 February 2023

Sunday, 19 February 2023

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





 


Wednesday, 15 February 2023

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!

Tuesday, 14 February 2023

More Barn Owl highlights





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

Saturday, 11 February 2023

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.