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!!!

Sunday, 18 September 2011

Weekend birds.

I managed a few hours at a local owl site on Saturday morning, wasn't there for long as I was off down the footie to watch the mighty Leicester City thrash Brighton, the early table toppers 1-0........get in there!!

The time with the owls was quite productive, some super close up views were had of the four still hanging around juveniles. This image (below) shows a couple of them sitting together and luckily I managed to capture the furthest owl  just as it regurgitates a pellet, uurrrggghhh!

Pellet expulsion.


This morning (Sunday) I had a call from a local birder (cheers John)  he informed me of a very confiding juvenile Kestrel that was showing well at a local site. Off I went in search and eventually I caught up with it, this was by far the best close up views I have ever had of this species and a few images were captured before the weather turned.

Kestrel (juvenile)




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7 comments:

  1. Stevie Evans18 September 2011 at 22:20

    like the latest action shot - pretty sure they only cast up 1or2 every day dont they ?

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  2. Paul Riddle18 September 2011 at 23:07

    Cheers for your comment Stevie, now you are asking me a question that I just don't know the answer to! I must of clocked up thousands of hours watching Little Owls and this was only the sixth or seventh time I have witnessed it, I'll go along with your theory of 1 or 2 a day???

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  3. Richard Pegler19 September 2011 at 10:24

    I reckon I've only seen pellet expulsion twice, but never captured it with the camera. Together with Paul's comment it makes me question the 1 or 2 a day theory, which would equate to 'watch a LO for a couple of hours and you've got 1 in 12 chance (or better) of seeing it cough up a pellet' - unless they usually only do it after dark or in the comfort of their own home!!

    Must say that, for me anyway, the Kestrel image does it - it's an absolute stunner!!

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  4. colin19 September 2011 at 19:44

    Agree with you Rich the Kestrel shot is stunning great image Paul

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  5. Mike Randall Bird Photography19 September 2011 at 19:57

    Two great images Paul, even including the expulsion moment. Stunning juvenille Kestrel.

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  6. Millhouse Photography19 September 2011 at 20:38

    Top-class photography on both counts Paul.

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  7. Paul Riddle20 September 2011 at 21:31

    Thanks again folks.....

    ReplyDelete

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