Sneaking Off!

I've just had a few days in Dorset with the extended family, a great time was had and I even managed to sneak off a couple of times to get a bit of birding in when we went on a couple of day visits.

We visited Portland Bill and whilst everyone else went for a coffee in the local cafe I took the opportunity to have a walk around the lighthouse, here I chanced upon a small flock of Rock Pipits, my best ever views of these very confiding little birds.

Rock Pipits

We also visited the New Forest to see the Ponies (boring!!!!!) but whilst the kids enjoyed them I sloped off for a while and managed to eventually get reasonably close to a Meadow Pipit, after trying for a good 30 minutes! A good number of Dartford Warblers were also seen, a nightmare to get near to let alone photograph!

Meadow Pipit

A visit to Swanage was also a nice day out, again I made some excuse to get sometime to myself and whilst walking around a local public park I located this distant Buzzard..........eating a frog!

It was a nice to get away for a few days even though not a lot was seen on the birding front, but its good to be back in Leicestershire, can't wait to get out this weekend and do some more owling!

Buzzard out - Owl in!

Work had me starting out early yesterday morning and as I was heading out towards Lutterworth I drove past this buzzard sitting on a wire fence, I had the camera on board so I chanced my arm and turned back; luckily he hadn't flown off and actually posed quite nicely. Due to the low light levels and the mist shutter speeds were slow but I was pleased with the outcome considering the conditions.

No buzzard images for months and then 2 in a week, are buzzards buses???

On my return journey I went via the small Leicestershire village of Welham with the hope of seeing some little owls, according to my records I haven't seen these particulars birds since last summer! Anyway, upon arrival at the location no birds were in evidence so plan B came into action............playback my little owl call  that I have on my mobile phone! Within seconds a response, a calling bird was located on a wall about 100 mts away.

A heavily cropped image.....can you see him?

The calling wall owl then flew up to my left and into some ash trees where he was then joined by a second bird. The pair of them then excitedly went into a calling and screeching fit which lasted a good couple of minutes.

Site 9, Home Farm - Welham

Owl and about 7/3/10

The light levels this morning were absolutely fabulous for photography, so it was out to a few local sites to see what was about. Although very bright and sunny it was bloody cold, thank goodness I had my Benny hat with me!

First port of call was Crossways Farm at Whetstone, after observing the site for 10 minutes or so two birds were located feeding in the bottom of the hedgerow, the strength and direction of the light was perfect for some fast shutter speeds (my lens is a bit slow unless the light is very very good), so I decided to sit it out in Benson (my pet name for my Landover) and attack my nemesis...............owls in flight!

Site 31, Whetstone - Crossways Farm

After a short wait the birds accepted my presence and started to feed in the pasture, this one was presumably looking for beetles and grubs.

Site 31, Whetstone - Crossways Farm

I had one opportunity to nail the flight shot and this was the result, I'm pretty pleased with it although I had to crop the image quite a bit due to the distance I was from the bird, this has obviously resulted in a reduction in quality (oh for a fast canon lens).

Not sure if it is just a Leicestershire phenomenon but seemingly from nowhere the buzzard has had a remarkable increase in its numbers recently. Only a decade or so ago if I saw one it would have been a real one off and a talking point for the rest of the day, nowadays if you venture out into the countryside it is virtually impossible not to see one. However, as popular as they are I am finding them difficult so and so's to get a decent image of. So when I pulled up at a little owl site at Kilby today I couldn't resist capturing an image of this handsome guy.

After the buzzard had buzzed off it was back down to the business of little owls, I drove right upto the nest tree, (of which incidentally I have recently put up a nest box) and bingo a pair was in residence capturing the morning sun right next to my box!!! This image (below) was captured before they decided I had ventured too close and off they went!

Site 91, Kilby - Wayside Farm

The next location was where "scabby the owl" could be found (see my very first post) but to my surprise he wasn't around, but his other half was!! As you can see (below) she was at the nest hole entrance watching me!!!!

Site 16, Kilby - Newstead Farm

Next stop was Rose Farm site A, although a little obscured by the branches the resident bachelor owl was located sunning himself in the apple tree.

Site 37, Countesthorpe - Rose Farm Site A

On my back I decided to call in again at Crossway Farm to try and nail that "in flight" shot that I am so desperate for. This time both birds were located in the nest tree cuddled together and seemingly happy to pose for the lens albeit they were not flying around though!

Site 31, Whetstone - Crossways Farm

Just as I was pulling away one of the birds flew down onto one of the fence posts and stayed there long enough for me to get this final shot of the day.

Site 31, Whetstone - Crossways Farm

An excellent couple of hours owling where 6 birds were seen at 4 different sites and some images that I am well pleased with.