Late Lunch

After my successful early morning venture over to Gilmorton I wasn't planning on having any more trips out until at least the weekend, however when my 2.40pm appointment was cancelled it meant I had an hour or so to kill, mmmmmmm what could I do?????? That was it a decision was made, i'll take my late lunch at one of my local owl sites and as luck would have it my camera was in the car...........just in case!!!!!

Upon arrival both birds were observed flying around the nest tree, there seemed to be something that was exciting them, they were making a right racket squawking and screeching at each other not to mention all the fluttering and flapping, maybe it was something courtship ritual?

After a few minutes they calmed down and it was at this point I think they noticed me, or maybe they even heard the shutter on the camera?

My presence didn't seem to deter them at all, then to my amazement and good fortune they flew in my direction landing on a branch and a bushes right in front of me!!!

Bird No 1, presumably the female due to it's slightly larger size

Bird No 2

Bird No 2

Bird No 2

Site 62, Valley View Farm - Leire

Well I just couldn't believe my luck and to think I hadn't even managed any images of the adults from this site before. What a fantastic lunch half hour it was and I didn't even get to eat my sandwiches!!!!
 

And to think I so nearly nailed that dam elusive little owl in flight shot too!!

 

Crack Of Sparrows

Before the delights of another days work I decided to go out really early today!!! The reasoning for this early start (up at the crack of sparrows) was to get some images from a relatively new little owl site over at Gilmorton. Due to its location the best time for photography is early morning whilst the sun is in my favour and on the subject......if it showed?

Site 92, Holt Farm - Gilmorton.

At the nest hole entrance.

I was really pleased with this mornings visit on four counts, firstly the owls showed, secondly these images are the best I have managed from this site (and the sun played its part), thirdly, my suspisions of where the nest entrance was were confirmed as the birds were sitting at it and just inside it, and finally I thought this site only had a single bird  but a pair were sitting snuggled up together when I first approached, sadly though I wasn't able to capture them both together........this time!!

Stake Out.

Yesterday on the whole was a poor day for little owl viewing, of all the sites visited (20ish) birds were only showing at 6 or 7 locations. I have come to the conclusion/excuse (and I'm sticking by it!) is that little owls just don't like the wind! So first thing this morning I was in a dilemma because it was actually windier than it was yesterday.  So should I do as yesterday and visit loads and loads of sites and just hope I get lucky with the odd sighting and distant photo or should I select one site and sit it out? The latter was the chosen option and the selected site was a local one over at Whetstone.

After waiting around an hour my invested time was paid off when this bird appeared at the nest hole entrance

He popped out and flew around for a few minutes, dooohh still can't nail that owl in flight image!!!

After the little flying display I think he realised he'd be far warmer back inside the tree.

Site 31, Whetstone - Crossways Farm

A Day With The Enemy!

Today I was showing Derbyshire birder (and big Derby County supporter.....booooooo) Pete Whewell around a few of my owl sites.  Although the weather seemed to be perfect I struggled to show Pete any birds let alone get near enough for any decent images!! Anyway the day ended up ok in the end as I was able to show him half a dozen birds or so and I think he was happy with the images he managed.

After dropping Pete off I decided I would spend the afternoon (listening to city on the radio........winning again!) and checking out a couple of sites that we didn't get round to visiting in the morning. My luck was in as a pair of little owls showed really well at both sites.

.Site 22, Blaby - Whetstone Gorse Site B

This is the first image of a bird from this location that has graced my blog.

 

Site 32, Peatling magna - Sambury Farm

Site 32, Peatling magna - Sambury Farm

Site 32, Peatling magna - Sambury Farm

Good Old Gaddesby!

Work took me out towards Melton and beyond today, I left nice and early so I could make a detour via Gaddesby to see if my site No 41 had any owls showing. Due to the location being in and around some mature trees the lighting was ever changing but in comparision with previous visits todays sightings and photo opportunities were by far the best I have ever had.

Site No 41, Gaddesby - Underwood lodge Farm

Third Time Lucky!

Went out in the landrover tonight for an hour or so, first call was Lodge Farm at Blaby but after a good 30 minutes or so no birds were either seen or heard. After Lodge Farm I decided to go down the road to Port Hill, South Wigston, a new site found a couple of weeks ago. Same story here, absolutely nothing about although I did have a quick chat with a gentleman who did see a little owl here a few days ago. Next stop was at Pochins Bridge, South Wigston and thank goodness......a couple of owls were obliging here!

Site 77, Pochins Bridge - South Wigston.

Shame about the twigs otherwise this would have made a really nice image!

The nest tree at this site is only 10 mts or so from the river's edge and whilst I was watching and waiting for the owls to move into a more photographic position I noticed something moving and twitching along the shoreline. After investigation this little chap was pinpointed and the resultant image was obtained.

Common Snipe.

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

99 Not out!!!!!

This evening the sun stayed out albeit being bitterly cold.......again! Not sure if it would be a good time for owl watching or not? I decided that I hadn't been over to the western side of my patch for a while as I had a tip to follow up from my mate Tony about a likely site at Barwell.

  

On route I went via Peckleton, here both the local owls were out getting a bit of evening sun. It is not easy to get near to the birds at this site so I had to be content with these distant images.

Site 6, Peckleton Hall, owl No 1.

Site 6, Peckleton Hall, owl No 2.

Next stop was Brockey Farm near to Kirkby Mallory, I wanted to check out the nest box that I'd put up here recently and see if it had any new residents. As I pulled up both birds were spotted at distance sitting together on some low posts, image below.  

Site 42, Brockey Farm site A

Whilst I watched and waited for them to come closer one bird dived from the post and onto the ground with wings spread. Then to my surprise it flew in my direction and landed in a tree no more than 15 mts away, I then realised it had caught a mouse/shrew or some kind of small rodent and was now perched up readily devouring its meal, image below.

If you look closely you can just about make out his dinner in his tallon

Before my destination of Barwell was reached I wanted to make one more slight detour to a site where I haven’t seen an owl for absolutely ages..........Brockey Farm site B. Due to the location of the nest tree here I can't use the Landover as a hide, this maybe the reason why it proves difficult to see the owls here because they see you coming first! Anyway today my luck change because as I approached the nest tree I spotted the owl just before he spotted me and the below image was possible.

 

Site 50, Stapleton - Brockey Farm site B

Finally I arrived at Brookhill Farm, Barwell, I went to see the land owner and gained permission to drive around the estate in the Landover, that was a result because idle so and so's like me don't want to be walking too far now do we!!!!

Going on the info that Tony had given me I started searching the area, after a while I came upon a group of willows that looked very very owley. As I drove up slowly I spotted an owl sitting among the sprouting foliage, yes yes yes Tony was right.......COME ON IN LITTLE OWL No 99!!!!!!

This bird stayed dead still relying heavily on his camoflage to keep him safe from detection.

I was at an awkward angle for good views so I drove off and turned back round giving a better perspective of the whole tree, it was a good decision as I then spotted a second bird...............RESULT!!!!! Once I'd made eye contact he wasn't hanging around and off he flew to the next tree, I followed slowly and managed this image below.

Site 99, Barwell -  Brookhill Farm Site B

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.

Boxed Out

This morning’s fine weather allowed some time to complete the overdue task of putting up the final 3 little owl nest boxes. That’s 21 in total and everyone has been put up in areas where little owls are already in the locality, it’s going to be difficult getting them to relocate especially as the boxes have gone up so near to the start of the breeding season, but you never know what may happen??????

The first box of the day was put up in this ash tree at a site near to Ashby Magna, it produced two juveniles last year but unfortunately one of them met an untimely ending when it was in collision with a passing car!

 

Site 55, Ashby Magna - Gwens Gorse.

Whilst driving over the fields to erect the second box at Cosby we inadvertently spooked the resident pair out of the nest tree, this image was attained just before they left.

Site 35, Cosby - Cosby Lodge Farm

The third box of the day was put up at site 58, Lower Brookhill Farm over at Peatling Magna, unfortunately due to technical reasons no image is available (forgot to take a photo!!).

The final task of the day was to return to a site where a box had already been put up..........but not to my satisfaction. I was not happy with its first position being too low on the tree so it had to come down and go back up in a higher.

Crazy night 2

Last night I managed to see owls at 7 out of 8 local sites that I visited, a really good return and the most owls I have seen in such a short space of time. I decided to go for it again tonight to see if lightning would strike twice? I decided that none of last night’s sites would be re-visited so some planning was required; I needed to be smart and plan a route that would allow me to visit as many sites as possible before the light goes.

First up was the two sites just north of Countesthorpe, Rose Farm site A & B, both produced birds in no time at all but only site B allowed a photo (below), sitting at its nest entrance sunning itself.

Site 39, Countesthorpe - Rose Farm site B

Next stop was Wayside Farm at Kilby Bridge; after 30 seconds of arriving a single little owl was spotted sunning itself in a nearby ash tree, due to the fact that the sun was shining at me from behind the bird only a silhouette could be seen no photo was possible!

Pushing on the next planned stop was my new site over at Wistow, upon arrival I parked next to what I believe will be this summer’s nest tree and bingo!!!! A single bird was perched high above me and the same as the previously seen birds of today, it was making the most of the low evening sun. Don't know if you agree but this little chap seems to have a real angry look about him!

Site 97, Wistow - Wain Bridge (NO NOT THE JOHN TERRY WAYNE BRIDGE!!)

Things were looking good, a 100% success rate at four sites in only 30 minutes, the next site could spoil all that though, my last few visits had drew blanks and I was wondering if the birds had moved on? All my fears were soon dismissed as soon as I pulled up, a single bird was sitting on top of a sawn off tree trunk getting some sun..........result!!!

                                        

Site 1, Carlton Curlieu - Marks Plantation

The sun was now starting to set and the light fading fast, I had to move on to the next site pretty sharpish otherwise yesterdays target would not be beaten. After 5 minutes of driving I pulled up at the next site and nothing!!!! Through desperation I tried playing my little owl contact call on my mobile phone and almost instantly there was an inquiring pair of heads at the nest entrance.

Site 19, Fleckney - Lyndon Lodge Farm

My favourite site was the next on the route, and true to form no time was wasted here as "scabby" was waiting for me on one of his posts. A 30 second pit stop (photo) and I was off again to the next site.

Site 16, Arnesby - Newstead Farm

Next stop was site 53 back at Countesthorpe, a single bird was seen sitting on top of a pollard willow but unfortunately it was too distant for any images! Due to how dark it was now getting I had time for one more site and what better than the morphing owl site (see post 6th Jan 2010). Upon arrival I was expecting to see an owl of some type sitting at the hole entrance but nothing? I sat and waited for 20 minutes until it was only just possible to see but no owl, I think I must have missed it by seconds!!

To sum up it was another great night for little owl viewing, I believe the settled weather and the evening sun was the recipe for them to be dripping out of the trees...........8 out of 9 aint bad!!!

A Crazy hour!

After a really poor wet and virtually owl free weekend this evening was crazy hour!!! All the owls must have let the late evening sun go to their heads and decided to show themselves off with aplomb!! I just had time to get around eight different sites before the light beat me and a whopping seven produced the goods.

Site 25, Lubbesthorpe - New House Farm

A really rubbish image that was taken at some considerable distance but take a closer look and what do you see??? Yep thats right a little owl inspecting one of my nest boxes!!!

Next stop was just down the road from the previous site and although I have had plenty of sightings of owls here I have never managed an image before...........until now!!!! Here one of the birds appeared out of the old dovecote and posed for me in the evening sun.

Site 86, Lubbesthorpe - Abbey Farm

The next stop was Crossways Farm at Whetstone but surprisingly no owls were showing there today. Soldiering on the next two locations were at Gorse Fishery sites A & B, both produce good distant views but sadly no images were possible.

Then it was down a back lane to Sambury Farm, a single bird here was making quite a fuss calling out across the meadow, although vocal he wasn't allowing particular good views of himself though! 

Site 32, Peatling Magna - Sambury Farm

By now the light was really going so it was a quick dash over to Peatling where I have two sites that are quite close together. My luck was holding out as both sites yielded views of the resident owls albeit image quality was now suffering due to the really poor light levels.

Site 68, Peatling Magna - Lodge Farm A.

Site 58, Peatling Magna - Lower Brookhill Farm

A really enjoyable hour or so whistle stop tour of a few of my local sites which produced the most owls I have ever seen in such a short space of time, hope its a sign of things to come this summer!!!!!

Smokey Hall & 98

As some of you will recall little owl site 98 was located in the dark last Friday night, but due to the call of the pub and a few tempting pints of the black stuff (that’s Guinness to the uneducated) I didn't explain what occured. Well, I had gained permission from a very kind gentleman (Mr Andrew Root) to explore the land in and around Hopyard Farm in Enderby. We went searching and after marching across a number of fields a single bird was finally located, it was in an ash tree next to a derelict old barn, unfortunately it was far too dark for any images.

The barn is better know locally as the hovel of smokey hall.

A return visit was made the next morning but no further owl sightings were made, however there was evidence a plenty in the barn that little owls were in residence and a couple of likely nest locations were found. After these discoveries an impulse decision was made that this barn would make an excellent location for one of my little owl nest boxes........so up one went box No 18!!!!