Friday 17 December 2021

2021 Owl Specials


Last week we were due to have 2 Owl walks, but the weather was atrocious - gales and rain.  They were rescheduled for this week despite the proximity to the Yuletide season.  The Wednesday trip started slowly with just Marsh Harriers over the saltmarsh, occasionally spooking some croaking Snipe.  The first owl didn't appear until around 3.10, but it was soon followed by two more.  The final two looked straight into Sally's eyes as they headed towards us.
Kestrel
Redwing
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SEO
Being Bashful
Annoying Gate
There were several last-minute additions to the attendee list for Thursday, when originally and even a couple of days before the event, it looked as though no one was coming!  There was a baldish Kestrel just outside the car park.
Balding Kestrel
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One of the first birds we saw was a Sparrowhawk, which uncharacteristically flew in very tight circles as if it was trying to frighten birds out of vegetation, but it failed to catch anything whilst we were watching.  
Sparrowhawk
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Roe Deer
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Roe Deer (c) 2021 Angela Murray-Nag & Dave Nag
We hadn't been walking too long when we noticed a Short-eared Owl over the saltmarsh.  It headed towards us, and landed on a fence post fairly close by.  It stayed put for several minutes allowing everyone to see it well, and all with cameras to take a few snaps.
SEO
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Looking Down
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Looking Up
Looking Ahead
Looking Right (c) 2021 Peter Moizer
SEO (c) 2021 Dave Hill
Over the Saltmarsh  (c) 2021 Dave Hill
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Over Saltmarsh
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Fieldfare
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Fieldfare (c) 2021 Peter Moizer
Fieldfare (c) 2021 Dave Hill
Fieldfare (c) 2021 Angela Murray-Nag & Dave Nag
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Kestrels
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Sunset Kestrel (c) 2021 Angela Murray-Nag & Dave Nag
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Finally, we headed back down an extremely muddy lane.  The light was going and a pale white mist was beginning to form in the lea of the hedgerows, when I spotted a male Hen Harrier flying low over a distant field.  It continued to hunt for around 5 minutes.  This was a first for several there, and was probably the longest view of this attractive bird any of us had ever seen.  
Record Shot of Male Hen Harrier
Harrier as the mist starts to form
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Changing Direction
Not a Mature Male
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Some of the Underside
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Upperside

Spotted Prey Item?
Hovering
A few minutes after the male had departed in the direction of the sunset the larger female Hen Harrier landed in the same field.  She didn't stay long and headed towards the saltmarsh.  I didn't spy him at the time. but she passed almost directly over a man with an absolutely stonking camera.  His photos must have been amazing, if he wasn't taken by surprise and his camera setting were all correct!
Female Hen Harrier & Photographer
Misty Sunset (c) 2021 Dave Hill
Sunset Deepening (c) 2021 Dave Hill
Possible Hen Harrier in the Sunset (c) 2021 Angela Murray-Nag & Dave Nag
Dying Sun (c) 2021 Angela Murray-Nag & Dave Nag
Big Moon (c) 2021 Peter Moizer
Meanwhile a Wednesday pm stalwart checked out Wheldrake.  
Drake Goldeneye (c) 2021 Mike Hind
Female Goldeneye (c) 2021 Mike Hind
Yet another Wednesday attendee travelled a long way to capture a snoozing Teal.
Teal (c) 2021 Hugh Wood