Came across this cracking, if rather damp, Short Eared Owl this afternoon as I trawled the mosses.
Sitting out in the open, and glaring at passing Red Legged Partridges and Mallards, presumably it had decided to wait out a particularly heavy shower until better hunting weather came along.
After a bit of a preen, the bird flew a few feet to the edge of the field and began sweeping the adjacent ditch with its laser beam yellow eyes.
I thought it might start hunting, but clearly the owl wasn't in the mood, probably still cold and wet, so I left it dozing by the ditch, no doubt dreaming of voles the size of cats.
Mosses were fairly quiet otherwise - I'd gone out in the hope the rain might have brought down a trip of Dotterel, but it wasn't to be - five Golden Plover flying away at a distance got the adrenalin going for a few seconds when I saw their black bellies, but I calmed down once I heard the calls.
A further fine flock of 37 Goldies on the Withins included some full on summer plumage birds.
Wheatears here and there, including a group of seven on Plex, which had the usual Grey Partridge, Corn Bunts and Yellowhammers.
Thought more would have been moving through - yesterday Swallows were racing north along the coast, and Sarnie Terns feeding offshore at Ainsdale - maybe we'll get more hirundines etc tomorrow.
Eyes to the skies everyone, eyes to the skies...
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Hi John,
Crosby local Jackdaw posse today contained 1 with 1 all white tail feather.
Eric
Hi John
Yesterday (Sun) there was a Corn Bunting on the Hightown Bends on way to work. Called in at Sands Lake and had at least 7 Willow Warblers singing with 3 Swallows tazzing past.
Cabin Hill produced 2 Wheatear with a Buzzard soaring overhead plus a pair of Stonechat and a male Reed Bunting but didn't see the reported Little Gulls.
Later on working at Lifeboat Rd a Ring Ouzel flew over the rangers' hut and crossed the Events Field.
Today was a bit quieter with 8 Sandwich Terns on the beach at Ainsdale (first for year), a Wheatear on the grassy area off Ainsdale Prom and 1 at Cabin Hill but again couldn't find the Little Gulls.
The Jays in Ravenmeols Woodland produced a colourful and noisy display and were unusually confiding.
Noticed the weather forecast and have taken a couple of days off! Eyes to the skies!
Had a walk along the Cheshire Lines this evening, and heard my first Cuckoo of the year.
Also had Blackcap, Whitethroat, Sedge Warbler, 2 Barn Owl and a Peregrine.