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Three owl day

Posted by on January 20, 2008 6:44 PM | 

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Picked up Bazzo just before lunch for a spin over the mosses and a quick look at Martin Mere - given the weather forecast it seemed the best bet.
And it wasn't a bad day either, with 250+ Whoopers still out on Bescar Moss, and assorted Red Legged Partridges and Pheasant.

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At the mere, plenty of Whoopers of course, and a few hundred Pink Feet, with Buzzards, Tree Sparrows etc, plus the small ringtail Hen Harrier with the wingtags.
"No 17" was ringed as a nestling last year in Bowland apparently.
Today it was hunting up and down over the reedbed at the back of Vinsons and Sunleys Marsh, and the escaped Red Breasted Goose was still in with the feral Barnacles (which also included the weird CanadaxBarnacle hybrid again).

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The Tawny Owl, which roosts in the nestbox near the Janet Kear hide was being decidedly sneaky today, with just the top of its head visible.

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The Little Owl on the farm buildings at the edge of the mere was sitting out in full view however, but as it was about three zillion miles away this was academic - the bird was just a year-tickety blob through a scope.
On the way back we cut across Churchtown Moss in the gathering dusk.
It was pretty quiet apart from a few Red Legs and Corn Buntings, but at least the Barn Owl was hunting at the back of the saplings.
It spent most of its time sitting on the edge of the ditches, and was occasionally mobbed by Carrion Crows.
You can just make it out in this pic.

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When it poked its head above the grass it looked quite dirty, presumably the price for hunting around the fields when its so wet.
Another day without sun, but three owl sp in a few hours is better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick.
Eyes to the skies everyone, eyes to the skies...

Comments (3)

Derek Williams wrote...

Latest from Haskayne area, Jan 5th to 11th:
4 Whooper Swans; 2 Barn Owl (hunting the same field); 75 Skylark; 33 Moorhen; 160 Linnet; 25 Meadow Pipit; 27 Pied Wagtail; 25 Goldfinch; 20 Corn Bunting; 200 Mallard; 379 Common Gull; 7 Snipe; 95 Lapwing; 15 Stock Dove.
20 Yellowhammer on Station Lane, Plex Moss.

Posted by: Derek Williams  | January 21, 2008 1:41 PM

Sandra Sparkes, BTO wrote...

Valentine's Day 2008 (Feb 14th) will see the British Trust for Ornithology launch the twelfth annual National Nest Box Week, sponsored by Jacobi Jayne. As
organisers of the event, the BTO encourages people to put up nest boxes to help our wild birds; birds such as House Sparrows and Starlings, both of
which have shown worrying declines in recent years.
Fancy doing something different to celebrate Valentines Day this year?
Instead of providing a nest box for Blue Tits or Great Tits, why not aim to
help a Species of Conservation Concern, such as House Sparrows and
Starlings.
It is difficult for House Sparrows and Starlings to find suitable nesting
sites, particularly in the roofs of modern houses. House Sparrows will build nests in thick vegetation, but they will also use nest boxes with a 32mm diameter hole. The box itself should be a minimum of 200mm tall and 120mm deep. House Sparrows breed in loose colonies, so try putting up several boxes a few feet apart. For more information see,
http://www.bto.org/nnbw/building.htm
Starlings require a larger box with a larger hole size. The hole diameter
should be 45mm and the box should be 300mm tall and 150mm deep. Starlings
will nest at any height, so try a few boxes at different heights.
Dr David Leech, Head of Nest Records Scheme at the BTO said, "We can really
help these birds by the simple action of putting up nest boxes and giving
them the space they need to raise a family. You don't need a large garden in the countryside; even the smallest town garden has room for a nest box. So
go on, put up a nest box this Valentine's Day and enjoy your new
neighbours!"
By putting up a nest box in your garden you could be helping these
vulnerable birds to find a home, and it's not just Starlings and House
Sparrows that will use nest boxes; The BTO Nestbox Guide contains
information on 24 different types of bird that will use nest boxes, from
Spotted Flycatchers to Tawny Owls.

Posted by: Sandra Sparkes, BTO  | January 21, 2008 1:53 PM

Derek Williams wrote...

More sightings from Haskayne area, Jan 12th to 18th:
200 Mallard; 835 Common Gull; 317 Black Headed Gulls; 29 Coot; 180 Jackdaws; 55 Chaffinch; 14+ Herring Gulls; 106 Linnets; Kingfisher; 15 Stock Doves; 25 Pied Wagtail; Buzzard.
Plex Moss/Station Lane area had 183 Fieldfare; Redwing, Buzzard, fem Sparrowhawk; 6 Reed Bunting, 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker.

Posted by: Derek Williams  | January 22, 2008 11:43 AM

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