Leapfrogging!

Didn't have a lot time tonight to do much owling but the time I did have was very rewarding! First of all I re-checked out the relatively new site No 116 at Saddington, two Little Owls here. I then moved on a mile or so down the road to Smeeton Westerby, I'd seen a really good looking site on a previous visit so the tactics tonight was to park up just before dusk and wait to see if anything showed.........and it did! 

Just as the light had about abated I heard a Little Owls calling, terrific new site No 130! It was too dark to see them though, but after several minutes the calls got closer and then I could just about make them out on a roadside post. In time they leaptfrogged each other along the line of posts towards the car, eventually they sat together literally 10 feet from me. It was far too dark for any images so my only chance was with the aid of the flash, it was very frustrating because as the owls sat together being perfect subjects I just couldn't focus on them, dam and blast a great opportunity lost!!!

Nevertheless, another new site and some superb views, I'm sure there will be another photo opportunity............very very soon!

3 new Little Owl sites.

I was going to get up nice and early today, but you know what its like when you have had one too many the night before and the effects still haven't worn off the morning after......resulting in yet another late start!

Today was all about finding more Little Owl sites, I've been doing some homework after a bit of networking at the Birdfair and I was going to find out today if it was all worth it!

First raptor of the day was this superbly marked Kestrel, makes a change from Little Owls I suppose.

I was searching around the Saddington area and it didn't take too long before site No 116 was located. Sadly no adult birds where seen here but a very satisfying 3 juveniles.

Juvenile No 1

Juvenile No 2 

Juvenile No 3

Next owl to be located was another Juvenile also at Saddington, this territory was pretty close to the first, only two fields away.

An alert juvenile at site No 117.

The final new location of the day and new site No 118 was an adult owl near to Gumley. Sadly the image is really poor due to the distance and the fact it wouldn't come out of the confines of the nest tree.

Can you see him?

Many thanks to David Scott for the shared info on the potential sites.