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Austin's Barn Owl

Posted by on June 12, 2007 7:32 PM | 

BarnOwlJune07web.jpg

No slouch with a camera, Austin Thomas sent me this great pic of a Barn Owl flapping off across the mosses this week clutching what looks like a rat, but it may be a Water Vole.

new%20owl%20jpg.jpg

Austin also had a Marsh Harrier hunting Downholland Moss on Friday, but as if often the way, a return trip yielded just this (albeit very good) shot of a Reed Bunting.

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Thanks for the pictures Austin.
Been mad at work so far this week, with an Emperor Dragonfly in Cook Street in Liverpool city centre yesterday perhaps the most interesting thing I've seen.
A tootle over Plex last night with Mrs D brought the usual Corn Bunts, Kestrels, Skylarks etc.
Never mind, the tides look good for seawatching at the end of the week, if we get a blow.
And by then, believe me, I will be ready to bird.
Eyes to the skies everyone, eyes to the skies....

Comments (8)

Jim Irvine wrote...

I notice that high tide Friday is at 10.52 at Gladstone. Where and when would you suggest I try a bit of sea-watching now I have a telescope?
I had planned to go to Marshside for a couple of hours but there may be better places. I can't walk too far these days so any suggestions would be appreciated.
Jim

Posted by: Jim Irvine  | June 12, 2007 8:24 PM

john wrote...

Hi Jim,
Depends on the wind and where it's coming from, but if walking is a problem, New Brighton front on Wirral is usually okay (altho' better in autumn in a north westerly).
There's always Southport Pier for the genuine optimist, or if you can travel up the road, the other side of the Ribble at Starr Gate/South Pier, Blackpool can be okay.
Marshside can be good (again depending on the wind), but for waders, not seabirds.
Give it a day or so till we get a clearer weather pattern.
John

Posted by: john  | June 12, 2007 8:34 PM

Jim Irvine wrote...

Doesn't look good any day :(
According to the BBC 5-day forecast for Southport, Friday is heavy rain with a 15mph Easterly wind
Saturday is light showers but with a 2mph southeasterly
Sunday is light showers with a 2mph southwesterly wind - whoopee, waves soggy streamers :(
Friday looks out so I might have a quick butchers on Sunday.
Thanks for the info John
Jim

Posted by: Jim Irvine  | June 13, 2007 12:37 AM

Simon G wrote...

32 Manxies, 17 Gannet between 8.30am and 11.30am Formby Point, by site of Old Lifeboat Station.
Shag past heading north at 11.30am.
Plus dark seabird, could've been a skua, didn't see it well enough. D'oh!

Posted by: Simon G  | June 13, 2007 12:12 PM

ron jackson wrote...

Spoonbill at Banks today. Didn't look like breeding plumage through the scope, but from the bit of video footage I took via my video/digiscoping kit I can see a tiny sort of crest and a yellowish tinge to the neck/upper breast.
Crap conditions though, windy and dull and I was filming at about 200x, the lowest I can get.
40 odd Avocets as well, so numbers building up but no sign of any chicks. Plenty of Herons lunking about though, close ups at 75x made them look like something 'orrible by Durer.
Wonder if the Avocets additions to or overspill from Mside/MMWWT. Still some water on the floods which helps bring them in.
First winter/summer Little Gull, Been there since last week. "Not so rare on Seaforth Square but it is on the Rio Ribble"
Gave the place a thorough scoping but no sign of "leucurus", only a few disconsolate looking Grey Plovers still in winter/juvenile plumage and a single Knot also non breeding plumage, always good for an albeit brief adrenalin rush at places like Banks,
Ron

Posted by: ron jackson  | June 13, 2007 4:24 PM

Fading Rock Chick wrote...

Saw a barn owl in the wild for the first time this week. On a beautiful early summer's evening, almost stereotypical in its loveliness, I glanced out of my bedroom window and saw this white figure gliding silently over the fields, looking for voles.
It was only 8.15 - is this early for owls?
My daughter and I watched it for around 20 minutes before it headed off to pastures new.
I tried to impress on her the rarity of this event, and how she should treasure every moment.
She's just five, so didn't really understand, but I live in hope she'll grow up appreciating wildlife as I do.

Posted by: Fading Rock Chick  | June 14, 2007 4:38 PM

jellyhead jackson wrote...

Wibble wobble Jellyhead here !
Just to say i have received an email to say the important game between Finland and Belgium was held up for half an hour due to (Guess what!)
No not a streaker but an Eagle owl!
How cool is that ,the game was being played at Helsinki. There is video footage on Birdwatch blog to download.
Cheers Jellyhead

Posted by: jellyhead jackson  | June 15, 2007 6:54 PM

jellyhead jackson wrote...

Wibble wobble The Eagle Owl footage is downloadable on You Tube Cheers Jellyhead

Posted by: jellyhead jackson  | June 15, 2007 7:17 PM

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