As far as we are concerned, things have not changed regarding Covid 19 and therefore as much as I would love to visit the Ospreys, I'm afraid they will have to wait a bit longer without the noise of my camera, so I have again spent some time in the garden seeing what's about, sometimes until it was virtually dark with the Barn Owls. but they will only appear when only they are ready to, so its been a case of sit and wait and keep turning up the ISO and opening up the F stop plus a lot of hoping for the best. I have had several words with the Male Barn Owl to come out earlier but unfortunately he has turned a deaf one but I don't mind sitting in my hide until it's dark, even though for the last few days it has been very windyQWe have also got two nest boxes facing the house on the wall of my workshop come garage for my tractor an mowers, strimmers etc, these are about thirty foot apart, one has Blue Tits in residence and the other Great Tits, we have numerous others scattered over our land in trees and most of these have birds nesting in them. It is such a wonderful time of the year and luckily I have managed sufficient images for a post.We are so lucky to have the Barn Owls but it still amazes me if you take the time to sit and watch, what can appear over your house.We also have a large amount of hedging to our boundary which normally by this time of the year would have been cut prior to the nesting season, this however due to Covid meant the gardner has not been able to visit and trim the hedge back, meaning it is more difficult to see all the nests, but we have several Blackbirds, a Robin, Thrush and a Wren close to the Owl boxes,As for the Owls I am out till late every evening, last night the Male did not appear until I was nearly in the house having abandoned the hide a few minutes earlier as it had turned cold. On the evening of the 14th both birds came out together for several minutes only for the female to return back into the box and himself to head away hunting, HOW LUCKY WE ARE!!!!
Blue Tit having a look out of the box Having a quick peek out of the entrance having been in feeding the young before emerging. |
Clear of the box and at the ready for another food finding trip. |
I can always wait a little longer and pose. |
Great Tit, st the Opposite end of the Workshop. Sitting on the perch before entering and feeding the hungry young. |
Leaving the nest box after a tidy . |
Male Kestrel { Thank you Roos} was sitting out waiting for a Peregrine when third bird flew over the far side of our land nearer to the Owl boxes. |
It was gaining height all the time I was getting my images and eventually finished as a speck in the sky. |
Barn Owl. I tried a new spot to set up my hide, too far away and he didn't appear until it was almost dark and then flew immediately away . |
ar
Result of flight shot even though I had set a very high ISO and opened up to F4 . |
These two images taken from by the house without the hide, but a very long distance away. |
Using the hide back in my original position, gave me a good stare before going away hunting, he appears to have decided to keep the female company until the eggs hatch.!! |
Fine collection John. I am not so fortunate where I live the air is foul and the birds are not happy to nest here. The only bird I havr had luck with in the garden is a pair of blue tits and I think they deserted the nest this year. I am yet to check. Stay safe, Mike.
ReplyDeleteHi Mike
DeleteYou may not have birds nesting but you get Badgers and others in your garden, we are so fortunate with the Barn Owls, I will be out with them later on,
ou keep safe and well.
all the best
John
Hi John
ReplyDeleteIt's fabulous to have a box for these owls! These tenants are the best.
Thanks for the osprey picture. The little ones are in great shape.
I hope you're all right.
Hi Natalie,
ReplyDeleteYour land would be perfect for a Barn Owl box, wonderful and interesting tenants.
I could not resist the young Ospreys image, hope to see them soon.
We are fit and well, hope you are both likewise
My best wishes,
John
Hello John, the Barn Owl is stunning and great to see it so close. Of the Sparrow Hawk I am not so sure I think it is more a male Kestrel. If you compair with photo's on Google than you can see that a Sparrow Hawk has three bands on the rear of its tail and the Kestrel one. Sorry if I am wrong.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes the Ospreys it is just wonderful I watch them on the internet just like the Ospreys in Wales. There the first chick just hatched.
Take care, stay healthy,
Regards,
Roos
Hi Roos
ReplyDeleteI have ha d some excellent evenings out with the Barn Owls, I have decided to set my hide just over 30 metres from the box.
Thank you reference the the Male Kestrel, I will change the wording accordingly. I have found bird watching during this awful virus very useful and calming , I'm just not very good in recognition of the birds, must admit to being better with the birds in Africa, I've done it for longer.
It's so good to be able to watch the Ospreys, not as good as seeing them for real but a good second place.
You stay safe and well and thank you again
John
Lovely Osprey with 4 chicks, I am jealous. The others are great John, stay safe.
ReplyDeleteHi Bob,
DeleteOnce again this year the Manton Bay pair have hatched the four young, lets hope all four fledge as l=ast year.
You stay safe Bob,
All the best
John
Outstanding series John, I always enjoy my visits here immensely. Your photos always bring a smile. Thank you! Much needed right now. My sister-in-law has an osprey nest which she can keep an eye on from her deck. She treated herself to a new lens a while back and she has been sending us photos. They really are magnificent birds aren't they? But then I think that of every bird in your post :) Stay safe and well and all the best to you too, Denise
ReplyDeleteHi Denise,
ReplyDeleteThank you so much,its so good for me to know my efforts are appreciated. Your sister isso fortunate being able to watch these magnificent birds from her deck, I can't wait to see our birds hopefully in the near future.
Yo likewise stay safe and well.
John
Hi John,
ReplyDeletein the Netherlands, various rules have been relaxed with regard to the coronavirus. Travel may also be limited after June 15, but not to the UK or Sweden. The other countries within the EU are allowed but with appropriate rules.
So I really don't go abroad !!!!
Your photos of the blue tits are so much fun 😀 but you could also photograph the flying kestrel beautifully. The first prize goes to the beautiful barn owls natuurlijk. Great to have it so close !!!!
Your osprey with the little ones is also a super fun photo. So cool that you could make it and I understand that you would like to go back to the osprey as soon as possible. So be patient.
Stay safe and healthy.
Kind regards, Helma
Hi Helma,
DeleteWe also in the UK have had a relaxation of the rules, most people appear to think this is much to early with the number of new cases and deaths we are having on a daily basis. It has been so much fun watching the two bird boxes, but the young have all fledged so all is quite on that front.. Th Barn Owls are such a delight but not that close to my hide, I think its the lens I am using, and yes I would love to have some time with the Ospreys.
You stay safe and healthy
John