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!!!! 

Two to go!!!!!

Little owl site No 98 was found in Enderby around an hour ago, (6.30pm) it was pitch black so no photos! Haven't got time to go into any further details now as I'm already late for my boozing session (well it is friday night you know!!!).
............More details tomorrow!

Box To Let

I have now finished assembling all my nest boxes (21 in total) only 4 of these have yet to be treated with a preservative and put up in there final position. Every box has been made the same as the image below, this type of box design incorporates some unique features that are intended to attract the attention of the little owl.

• Entrance hole of 70mm in diameter, just right for the little owl but hopefully too small for jackdaws and stock doves but too large for tits and other smaller species.
• An entrance tunnel which goes from the front of the box to the rear ledge, again this is to deter other birds whilst being very suitable for the crawling little owl.
• The rear ledge is intended to keep the juvenile birds in the nest box longer, it is not until they get to a certain age that they are able to scramble/flutter from the nest chamber up onto the ledge, up through the tunnel and out.
• A sloping roof and front overhang was used because this would obviously enable rain to run off the roof easier rather than pool on the top and drain in to the box.
• An access door and latch has been fitted to every box, this will allow quick and simple entry for purposes of observation and ringing tasks.
• Every box was lined with about 2" of fine wood chippings and sawdust, this will help to absorb any moisture and offer an idea substrate for the hen bird to create a depression for the secure location of her eggs.
• Finally every box was treated with a safe timber preserve.

Position of Box

All the selected locations currently hold pairs of little owls; in the majority of cases the actual nest location/entrance was known. Therefore the box was positioned as close as possible without trying to disturb them too much. Where feasible a limb or branch of the nest tree was close or slightly below that of the entrance hole, this would allow for easier juvenile movements to and fro from the box. Where this was not possible a perch of artificial branch was put in place to create the same effect. The secured height of the box from the ground was governed by the height of the existing natural nest entrance, this could have been as low as 4 ft and as high as 25 ft. The direction of the entrance hole was again the same as the existing natural entrance, there didn't seem to be any trends to this, some east some south etc.

The two biggest questions yet to answered and only time will tell are, how do I discourage squirrels from taking up residence in the boxes and can anything else be done to encourage the owls to leave their natural nest sites and take up our offered artificial ones???????

Boring info for anyone who may be interested...........

Box Dimensions
• Made from 3/4" ply wood
• Height (front) - 14", (rear) - 16"
• Width - 13"
• Depth (front to back) - 13 1/2"
• Weight - 15 lbs


Box Statistics
• 9 different sized pieces of timber (pre-cut to size)
• 21 x 2" zinc plated screws
• 8 x 3/4" brass screws
• 2 x brass hinges
• 1 x door clasp and eye
• 2 thunder bolts

Box Miss
• Pre drilling and assembly - 45 to 60 mins
• Wood preserve treatment - 15 mins
• Driving to location and position on tree - 1 to 2 hrs (1 to 4 hrs if a pub visit is to be included!)

All this of course was x 21 TIMES!!!!!!!

• Total cost??????????......inclusive of all materials, fixtures and fittings, treatments, nest materials, erection etc £17.50 each (many thanks to LROS for supplying the timber)
So if you would like to donate a box or two please contact me!!!!!!!!!!

Boxing Clever!

Out again today putting up more owl boxes with assistance from my old mate Ronny Hawkins, we managed a very healthy 6 taking the overall tally to 17. Its the 2nd time Ron has been out helping me and we learnt from last time and worked a lot smarter today. If I can keep this rate up it looks promising that I will meet my target date for all the boxes to be up by the end of Feb, I think I have still have enough timber to make another 5 boxes taking the total to 22.

   

Both these images were taken at one of my new sites and are the best images I have managed so far of these particular birds. The new hide (land rover) assisted as it enabled us to slowly drive right upto the tree they were in without spooking them, for some reason at this site (and others for that matter) I have found little owls really don't seem to be bothered by the close presence of vehicles??? We were then treated to some reasonable close views for a good 5 minutes or so before they were off.

During the day we saw a total of 6 different owls and heard 1 other to make a day total of 7. 

Site 96, South Wigston - Port Hill

Better 97!

Made a detour today so I could go past my newest little owl site that I located earlier in the week, deffo an improved image........for now anyway! Too many branches in the way for a really clear shot, the owl was tucked right into the trunk of the tree sheltering from the driving snow.

Site 97, Wistow - Wain Bridge

Another owl from another site just down the road at Wistow, this owl was also trying to take shelter from the driving snow, again too many branches!!.

Site 91, Kilby Bridge - Wayside Farm

2nd in 12!

Whilst working in my home office this morning I noticed out of the window a mouse like bird fluttering in and around the planted xmas tree (no not a miniature little owl!!!) I quickly grabbed the camera and managed a couple of snaps before it disappeared. A Goldcrest was the culprit, Britain’s smallest bird and only the 2nd sighting I've had in 12 years of living here!!

 

...............A nice start to the day.

GET IN THERE...Number 97!

Today I've been out working in Cambridgeshire and as that part of the world is renowned for Barn Owls the camera was on board........just in case???? Anyway no Barn Owls were seen but whilst driving back home I took the route through Wistow Park in Leicestershire. It was almost dark (5.15pm) when I had to slow down to allow an on-coming car to pass and as I accelerated away I glanced upwards into an adjacent tree and spotted two dark silhouettes sitting next to one and other. At the earliest opportunity I turned the car around and went back to investigate, oh yes oh yes I was right............LITTLE OWLS!!!

Site 97, Wistow - Wain Bridge.

Yes I know a really poor image but the light had almost but gone but a bit of post processing on the PC has just about made a really poor image into just a poor one!? I will return at the weekend when hopefully I will manage a much improved image!

Oh yes, get in there........No 96!

Went out early today for an hour or so before work, I had been given a firsthand report of a little owl sighting by a very nice lady I met (Eileen Carter) at a recent LROS meeting. I previously knew nothing of the owls at this site although I knew of two others very close by! I much prefer to find new sites myself without any help but beings I am so near to the BIG 100 SITES I had to follow it up. Today was my third visit to see if I too could locate them, I arrived before first light, parked up near to the suggested tree and waited, nothing doing after 20 minutes so I decided to try the call-back system (to play a recording of a little owl call to see if a reaction reply call could be prompted) nothing doing on that score either. This was prooving to be another wasted journey and was about to leave when a fluttering silhouette caught my eye in another tree a good 50 yards or so further into the field, I locked my binoculars onto the small black shape and BINGO!!!!! Come on in Little owl No 96......get in there!!!! The single bird then flew further away from me into another tree..........Hold on...........he had joined his mate, there was now two birds...........RESULT!!!!

First sighting & first image of the single owl in the nearer tree.

Site 96, South Wigston - Port Hill.

Image of the pair in the further tree, I assure the sceptics out there (if there are any?) that the two little black shapes in the centre of the image are deffo little owls............honestly! I will of course be returning to try and get a little closer in some better light for some much improved images.......watch this space! 

Half Way There.

Another 3 boxes went up at selected locations today (sunday) couldn't put any more up because that was all I had made, not because half way through the day I was distracted by the call of pub.............again!!! Although I did managed a few pints once we were finished. 

Today was the first time I have taken the double ladders, the 3 locations today all required the boxes to be secured a little higher up the tree than those previous, I have tried to show the height perspective in these two images.

                          

Thats now 10 boxes up and 10 to go, I've now got to pull my finger out otherwise my target date of the end of Feb for all boxes to be up is not going to be met, I must focus and ban myself from the pub for a week or so.......is that possible????

Mant thanks to John Swift who was my victim helper for the morning.

Hide Upgrade.

About 50% of my close up owl images were only possible because I employed the use of a mobile hide, pictured below. It was a fantastic purchase that really comes in its own when you are after that elusive image of a shy species. It doesn't seem to scare off the owls although they do seem to be a little wary of it at times. I have spent upto 5 hours at a time in the hide waiting for the owls to either show or to come close enough for that required image. However, as good as it is it does have its limitations in that it has absolutely no room and it can become quite uncomfortable (especially on the backside) after a couple of hours.

Excellent camouflage....can you see me in there?

So after much consideration I decided a larger model was required, one that would offer a little bit more room inside and maybe a more comfortable chair that would sort out my numb bum problem! After much browsing of the internet I couldn't really find a model that met all my requirements so it was on to plan B?

And here it is, my new hide and this model not only meets all my requirements it has an engine as well!!!!

Owling in comfort....that's what it's all about!

Playback Success!!

Went out at dusk tonight to try out for the first time a call back procedure that Emily Joachim had recommended to me. Basically it consists of playing a specific little owl call (on my mobile phone) for a set period of time and then waiting to see if any local owls respond to you by calling back. To be honest I was a little sceptical but never the less I thought I'd try it out. After parking up I played the owl call out of the open window for 20 seconds, it then fell deafly silent whilst I waited for a response...................bloody hell a return call in an instant, my god it does work!!!! During previous visits to this site I had only ever seen 1 bird and I could now make him out up above me peering down out of a tiny crevice, I played the recording again. Oh my god there wasn't just the one owl calling back but TWO!!!! It appears he had been hiding his soul mate and it was good to finally make contact with her after all this time!

Site 32, Sambury Farm - Peatling Magna

Up Close And Very Personal.

As soon as I got home from work on Wednesday I quickly got changed, grabbed my camera and in no time was off out again ..........although very cold the light levels were fantastic, best it had been at this time of day for sometime. Hopefully I could locate an obliging owl or two squeezing what little warmth they could muster from the sun before it set.

Lydon Lodge, location No 19 a private site over at Fleckney was my chosen destination, one of my favourite little owl locations and I hadn't been there for sometime.

On occasions this site can produce some really close views.........and as it proved this was one of those days!  

After a ten minute wait both birds appeared at the nest entrance.

Enjoying the last remaining rays before sunset.

It wasn't long before the 1st bird was out on its favourite vantage point.

Closely followed by the second onto it's favourite perch.

After a good ten minutes of really close up views and plenty of territorial calling they both moved off along the hedgerow in search of an evening meal. I was really chuffed with the images I managed, the 1st ones of the birds from this site on my blog.

Propowlty Portfolio Expands.

Same again Sunday, a whole day erecting nest boxes, 4 more today taking the weekend tally to 7 in total. Only another 13 to go, at this rate I should be done by middle of April!!!!!!!! On first impressions you would think 7-8 boxes could easily be put up in a single day.........oh how wrong I was, good job I'm not on piece work otherwise I’d be bloody skint! I must admit though, a quality hour or so was wasted taken up in the local country inn sampling a couple of pints of Guinness. This went down really quite well whilst reflecting on what a fantastic job was being done.......NOT!!!

Yours truly up another tree!!! This was obviously before the beer as there is no way I could possible pose like that on a ladder after a couple of pints!!!

Sunday - Box No 1, in an apple tree.

Sunday - Box No 2, on a an old fallen down willow tree, carried the ladder across 2 very large fields to this site and ended up putting the box up 4ft from the ground........what a plonker!

Production has really slowed now......"hic".....post beer!!!!!

Sunday - Box No 3, on the side of an old ash tree, this site produced 2 young in 2009

Sunday - Box No 4, again on an old ash tree, it will be a minor miracle if this box is still up!

Obviously the exact site locations will not be divulged but needless to say they are not far from the pub!!!!!

Many thanks to Daz Sibley, my drinking and box putting up partner for the day. 

Location Location Location!

A few weeks ago it was decided a nestbox scheme for my little owls would be a good idea, if the birds could be persuaded to relocate from their existing "natural" nest sites to artificial ones it would give greater access to the nest chamber and excellent opportunities to ring the birds. At the moment I don't have the required qualification to ring the owls so Andy Smith of Charnwood Ringers was contacted and he has very kindly offered his services as and when they are requested...........should there be any relocation and breeding success????

Ken Goodrich was very influential in getting some funding from LROS that would enable the purchase of enough timber to make 20 boxes to the same specifications of the box featured in the January issue of the BTO News, further details can be seen/downloaded from this link. Barn Owl Trust.

The timber arrived last Thursday and after many many hours assembling and treating them the first 3 boxes were finally erected today, many thanks to my old mate Ron (let me hold ya ladder) Hawkins for his help. 

This above box was situated on an Ash tree very close to a pair which raised 2 young in 2009.

The below box was put up in an old Willow which is home to a pair which have also had breeding success .

The 3rd box was erected in an old barn (too dark for an image!) which also holds a pair although no previous breeding successess are known

 

Whilst out putting up the boxes some close owl's views were possible.

Obviously the exact site locations will not be divulged but needless to say they have all been very carefully selected and are on quiet, private land.