Another Decent Day

     Took the dog out today and had a run around to see
     what I could see, my first port of call was Castle Carr Rd,
     where there was a Little Owl, 8 Stonechat, 2 Wheatear and
     2 Reed Bunting which surprised me in that area, I then went upto
     Leadbetter Dam but there was only Mallards & Gulls and
     10 Canada Geese and 7 Emu lower down I kid you not.

     Nolstar Kennels had 50+ Goldfinch & Linnet eating on the thistle
     Fly Flatts had 6 Kestrel, 4 Stonechat and a few Meadow Pipits
     knocking about, 8 Canada Geese flew onto the water which I was
     hoping were Pink Footed Geese but it wasn't to be and few waders
     were on the banking but too far away for me to make out what they
     were.

     I paid Soil Hill a visit as Ive not been for a while and after  carefully
    negotiating dog poo alley, got to see 2 Skylark, 6 Meadow Pipit,
    4 Red Grouse, 2 Kestrels, I then had a sneezing fit and scared a Snipe
    half to death, I was hoping to come across a Ring Ouzel but it didn't
    happen for me today so just wishful thinking.

 

Lucky Raptor Day Today

     I was planning on a trip to Spurn Point today but
     was put off by the weather forecast for the east
     coast and Im glad I did now as I had a cracking
     couple of hours at a local spot. and it was nice to
     bump into another novice birder like myself in Mick A.

    Plenty of Meadow Pipits fluttering about and a Skylark
    and then a Diamond of a bird although at a distant by the
    time I got my camera ready a Hen Harrier, 20 mins later
    a Barn Owl popped up that nearly landed on my shoulder
    Ive never been so close to a wild Barn Owl so I was over
    the moon, 10 minutes later a Merlin came flying past and
    then a Short Eared Owl at a long distance but still great
    to see it hunting, a Buzzard also flew over.

    I wish every day was like today, long may it continue.
    I almost forgot about the 8 Kestrel that were seen.

 

Kestrels are Busy

  Only a garden watch today and not much happening
  although the Kestrels are beginning to show well again,
  2 hovering in the back field one of which was having a
  right old set to with a Crow and a Magpie that kept pestering
  it, 30+ Starlings appearing everyday for the berries and 20+
  Goldfinch on the feeders.

 

3 Owls a day keeps the doctor away

 I wasn't going to bother going out yesterday but with the
 sun popping its head out for a couple of hours I decided
 to give it a go and Im so glad that I did, I won't say where
 I went for the birds safety but it was well worth the effort,
 4 Barn Owl, 2 Little Owl and 1 Short Eared Owl all seen
 it was just a shame it was getting dark and they were at a
 fair old distance, too far for any decent photo's but then
 again beggars can't be choosers, also at the same venue
 were 2 Buzzard and 6 Kestrels, you don't get many days
 like that so I was well chuffed, oh I forgot there was also
 a cracking Peregrine flyover as well. I gave SM a call and
 he turned up and was well chuffed with the night of Owls.

  After being reviewed by proper birders who are a lot more
  experienced and wiser on the avian skill it has now been
   declared a Long Eared Owl and not a shortie, either way
  I'm still chuffed and a big thank you to everyone who helped.

                                          Little Owl

                                          Kestrel

                                          Buzzard

                                          Barn Owl with prey.

                                          Short Eared Owl

                                          Barn Owl