A VISIT TO EYEBROOK FOR HOPEFULLY MORE SIGHTINGS OF THE SHORT-EARED OWLS.

I decided after last weeks encounter that we had with the three Short-eared Owls to have another visit to Eyebrook Reservoir to hopefully get some more images of these birds, so arriving at Eyebrook at 12.40 hrs. I had a quick look about for the Smew and after eventually finding seven with the help of a gents scope as they were very distant, he had also seen two Goosander , these were on the very far side of the reservoir and were impossible to see without a scope and not that easy then. I then moved farther down towards the dam and eventually found a Smew somewhat closer and as usual just had to get an image.

I then thought I would go and see if any Shorties were about and after interruptions from Red Kites on the journey around I arrived at the gateway where they were previously seen and after about fifteen minutes and with no signs I decided to move on as I had Red Kites flying about everywhere. By the end of the afternoon I had seen nearly forty  Kites, mind as to whether any of those were double sightings.

So again after about half an hour I returned to the gateway for another look for the Shorties and spent a very cold half an hour watching for any signs but again no sightings. Another gent then turned up and he reported he had seen all three birds at 09.30 hrs that morning so we still had the birds, just not showing at the moment where I was watching.

I had another quick drive around the reservoir before returning to the gateway for the Shorties where I spent the rest of the afternoon but without any sightings, but they have such a large area to hunt over, I will return again for another try.

Sparrow Hawk, Our Garden.

Not such good light as previous but again spotted by my wife, it did not stay long, I just managed this image and as I was checking to see if my setting were correct it flew.

Long-tailed Tit, Eddie and Margaret's garden.

I had visited my farmer friends and whilst enjoying a cup of tea and a few biscuits we noticed some Long-tailed Tits at the feeders in the garden. These are a bird I have never managed a decent image from {and still haven't} as they never appear to keep still for any length of time at all, so it was up with the camera and open the back door slowly and have a try before they departed.

A TRIP TO EYEBROOK RESERVOIR.

The following images were taken whilst travelling to and whilst at the Reservoir. This proved to a windy and cool visit but reasonably eventful with the Buzzards and Red Kites but unfortunately not the Shorties.

Buzzard, Near Little Owl Site No. 4.

I rounded a corner and saw this bird sat on top of this pole and managed to stop about 60 metres away and pull slightly onto the verge {without getting stuck} to give me an angle to get the bird from the car window, the second I finished and started the engine, the bird flew away, they really are such nervous birds.

Buzzard on the Road into Eyebrook.

Another pale bird this time I did not get as close, they are such a proud looking bird.
Also good to see the buds on the tree looking full.

Just to show how cluttered with branches the bird was, if I had tried to get closer more branches would have covered the bird, I also doubt if the bird would have remained.

Buzzard Near Horninghold Village.

This bird was even more buried in branches. Very similar markings to the previous bird.

Buzzard Near The Shortie Gateway.

 This bird sat on the same pole as the SEO image was taken on last week, 250 metres away. This being a very pale bird.

Red Kite, Near Stockerstone Village.

I always think the top of the wing is worth an image, beautiful markings.

This bird was one of four that were circling together towards the top of the hill between Stockerstone and Horninghold Villages.

Another of the same group, slightly different wing feathering.

Third bird of the group.

Fourth bird, this has a totally different wing colouration, after this they suddenly were away.

This bird certainly appears to have me spotted, but still just lazily circled across the road and adjacent fields.

They are such wonderful birds to watch in flight with the use of the tail feathers as a rudder.

Another bird that appears to have me spotted,this one was at the Shortie gateway.

Same bird as above, mind would have still rather seen a Shortie or two.

Smew Drake, Near the Island.

This shows the problem when they are that much farther away, this bird was about 150 metres away. When they get to be in excess of 300 metres and in amongst the gulls they are so difficult to pick out without a scope.






Thank you for your visit, I hope you have enjoyed it as much as I did in the getting of the images, mind I would have enjoyed it more if the Shorties has turned up.