ANOTHER BAD DAY OUT.

We decided even though the weather was doubtful and the wind was very gusty to try an afternoon out and if the wind eased and the sun came out to look for some new Little Owl sites. Neither of these options happened, but we still had a reasonable afternoon out, seeing several Red Kites, two Little Owls, some Redwings and Fieldfare and a very relaxed Buzzard. With the Buzzard I unfortunately left the ISO setting on my camera at 320 and should really have shot at 640 and therefore only got speeds of 1/50s. The buzzard landed near our Little Owl Site No. 3 and slowly but surely got closer, as a rule the get farther away so disappointing to have got the camera settings wrong. 

This apart we had an enjoyable afternoon out together and decided to have an early finish as the light was going.

Red Kite Between Little Owls Sites 4 and 5.

These birds were having a wonderful time using the wind to just hover and then soar away, just look at the angle of its tail feathers using it as a rudder. At one point we had three birds all flying together but too far apart to get in one shot. 

Little Owl Site No. 5.

Bird on the far side of the field away from the nest tree but well shielded from the cool wind, having a crafty sleep and enjoying a brief spell of sunshine. 

Red Kite Near Little Owl Site No. 5.

This bird again was using the wind to help it cover ground and hover then suddenly gain height, wonderful to watch. 

Little Owl Site No. 15.

Again seeing a bird at this site, very difficult to be sure it is not a bird from site 10. This tree in the Summer is a mass of leaves and impossible to see if a bird is roosting. 

Redwing Not Far From Site No. 15.

We were returning from Little Owl Site No. 12 when we spotted these birds in a field. A mixture of Redwing and Fieldfare, they were unfortunately not that close, that was not until we moved away and some birds flew up from about 10 metres from the side of Richards car, again a case of don't miss the obvious.

 Fieldfare.

These winter visitors are starting to show, not in large numbers but they are about, both the above are pretty birds.

Buzzard Near Little Owl Site No. 3.

This bird started by sitting on the barn roof in roughly the area where the Little Owl used to sit. It then flew down onto the floor and sat with its wings out slightly, moved a few steps and did the same wing actions again, then flew onto the hedge, and then after a few short flights got to the point on the hedge for the image below.

Managed to get this image and then the bird flew away to the far side of the field and made its way up the hedge line and the occasional tree.

May I take this opportunity to wish you all a Very Happy Christmas and all the best for 2015.