Hi and welcome to my Blog, my name is Paul Riddle and I live in south Leicestershire, UK. Back in August 2007 my quest began to locate as many local Little Owl territories as possible. The driving force was a reported decline in the uk numbers so I thought I would do my bit and conduct a study in my area. After 7 years and countless hours out in the field I have detected over 200 different sites. With a thirst for a greater understanding of the owls a more comprehensive monitoring and nest box programme then commenced. This also now includes monitoring the local and very sparse population of Barn Owls, please pop back occasionally and catch up with the life and times of my owls and any other wildlife that I come across. I hope you enjoy your visit!!!

Tuesday, 8 February 2011

BABIES!!!!

We are now fast approaching the breeding season for the Little Owl, without doubt my most enjoyable time of the year. All the hard work during the winter months finding new sites should start to pay off when I make revisits and hopefully the adult birds will be far more tolerant of my presence whilst they go about their parental duties. This will be my third breeding season since I started my project and if this year is anything like previous years I should be in for some superb and sometimes spectacular views and juvenile antics.

I have gone back through my files and dug out some of my favourite juvenile images from the past, most of which have never previously been posted on my blog, double click on any image for a larger versions.

I hope you enjoy...........



Site No 68, I can see you!!!


Wing stretching at site No 6, a brilliant site in 2010.


At site No 11 I located a very tolerant juvenile that just gave me "the stare".


A balancing act was going on at site No 14.


Lining up like soldiers at site No 107, one of my favourite sites last year.


Mother  and Daughter at site No 16 waiting for dad to return with dinner!


Plenty of scratching going on at site No 32.


The youngest juvenile I have ever seen out of the nest at site No 33.


A crash landing after it's first ever flight at site No 35.


It didn't take this juvenile long to perfect the adult "scowl" at site No 55.


At site No 61 the Juveniles soon started to use the adults favourite perches.


A typical Little Owl pose, trying to morph into a branch at site No 75.


Waiting to be fed at site No 76.


Juvenile antics at site No 97, peek a boo!


Learning to dance at site No 105, the quickstep maybe??


First flight at site No 107.


Fingers crossed for some more great juvenile views during 2011, if I am able to capture some more "moments" you can be sure I will be sharing them with you, watch this space!   

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7 comments:

  1. Unknown8 February 2011 at 11:02

    Wow! Rid we may have more species of owls over here in the states but obtaining images like yours is really unheard of. Very, very nicely done! I can't wait to see what you manage this season.

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  2. Paul Riddle8 February 2011 at 11:46

    Cheers Phil, you have some dam good images on your blog too, top man!

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  3. Simon Taylor8 February 2011 at 12:08

    Wow, what a post. Superb images. Hope you dont mind but i'm going to give you a plug on my own site. Great stuff.

    Simon

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  4. Paul Riddle8 February 2011 at 12:43

    Cheers for that Simon, nice words!

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  5. Kelly8 February 2011 at 12:45

    Oh my gosh...these photos are mesmerizing, and the header...incredible! You're definitely an owl whisperer!

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  6. Bobbster8 February 2011 at 23:27

    Wow there are some quality images here, great stuff most certainly a blog to watch.

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  7. Paul Riddle9 February 2011 at 11:14

    Kelly/Bobbster, kind words from you both, many thanks!

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