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!!!

Saturday 2 June 2012

Juvenile hunt......its on!

That is it........Friday is out of the way and no more work for a whole week...........yippee!!!

I will now be able to concentrate on some early mornings sorties out, due to work commitments getting out at this time of the day is usually a definite no no. For anyone who hasn't tried it, you should! Getting out in the countryside at the "crack of sparrows" (first light) is good for the soul, especially if you can be "on site" whilst it is still dark. As the day awakens so does the wildlife, and loads of it!   

Having said all that I am hoping that last nights excursion out isn't a sign of things to come for the following week, seven different Little Owl sites visited and only one photo opportunity, (below) at my site No 107.


Over the last few days I have heard, but not seen Little Owl chicks "hissing" at three different sites. A bit earlier than in previous years for them to be already out of the nest so the task I have set myself before I have to go back to work is some nice fluffy owl chick images!

As I sit here writing up this latest post it is Saturday morning at 4.51am (yes an early start but no beer last night!) and it is already getting light. So no time to waste, gotta get out there and make the most of the comming day, I've got owls to find.
Wish me luck............ 

4 comments:

  1. Good luck!! I'd love to come along!

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  2. Have a good week and hope you find lots of fluffy chicks! :-)

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  3. That's the key to it Paul: No beer! Not an easy thing to do (for me).

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  4. Best of luck Paul - but I'm only twenty or so miles down the road and it's steadily raining here, and it looks as if it's set in for the rest of the holiday weekend. Sorry mate!!

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