All's well @ 77!

Managed to get owl 'n' about again tonight to try my luck at some more little owl photography, I elected to go and sit it out at site 77 near to South Wigston. I haven't seen a bird here since before xmas and I feared the worst, but after a good hour of waiting my fears were allayed when what I presume was the male bird showed himself.

Although it was late the light levels weren't too bad, I was really pleased with the sighting and the images I managed. The other good news was the nest box that I have erected here is now showing signs of occupancy, plenty of mute (a technical term for owl crap) could clearly be seen around the nest hole entrance. Fingers crossed that this may be the third of my boxes that plays host to some breeding activity this year.

    

This bird seemed restless and kept moving from branch to branch and looking down to the ground as though something there was disturbing him? I never did managed to determine what the agitation was all about, maybe a mink or other small predator? 

Just before departing I did managed an image of him as he took off from his perch, although distant and nearly dark I am really pleased to of attained this image of him in flight (although heavily cropped) and for once it wasn't of the rear end!!!

Shame about the wing clip, he was too fast for the camera
.............and me!!!!