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 5 February 2012

A bit of company!

Part 2 Saturday.......

After I'd warmed up and re-filled my flask it was off out again to another local Little Owl site, No 127. I hadn't seen any owls here since August 2011 so a visit was well overdue.

Permission was gained from the local landowner for me to park up next to the tree where I used to see the owls. Unlike earlier in the morning the skies had now clouded over and the light was rubbish for photography. The wind had also got up so I wasn't very confident of seeing any owls.

I was sitting watching this owless tree when "pop" this chap appeared from nowhere! He'd come to check me out, well not me because I was behind my camo screen it must have been the car that intrigue him?

I sat and kept him company for a couple of hours, in all that time his mate was never seen!



It was a pretty boring visit really, nothing out of the ordinary occurred. He did however burst into some territorial calling for a few seconds, as can be see on this film footage below, just click on the arrow and don't forget to turn your sound up!

4 comments:

  1. Nice one Paul. I'm afraid I'm still trying to tear myself away from the Shorties. My Little'uns are still being neglected!

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  2. Preciosas fotos, como siempre.
    Saludos!!

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  3. Great close-ups Paul. A camo screen? Did you buy that, or is it something you made?

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  4. Christian, sorry for the late reply! It is a piece of camo cloth that I salvaged from an old hide I purchased. Works brilliant trapped in the drivers door along with a beanbag for my lens.

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