I WAS HOPING FOR ANOTHER BIRD BUT HEY HO.

We  still have the four birds mainly roosting in the Large box , I have been out monitoring most nights until the last three,this due to very heavy rain, so the birds have been able to exist in peace, however as they will not feed in the rain being soft feathered, I was getting concerned as to whether they were managing to get out to feed at all, however we are still finding pellets so all is well. A friend Kate comes with her dogs having done our weekly shopping bless her,{ She trains Guide dogs} she brings Ralph a Golden Retriever, Keller and Gromit both Golden Labradors and this week she had gained an extra dog in Orchid a Black Labrador.Its so good to see them having a good run about plus they enjoy the bonus of plums,  blackberries and raspberries we grow, bless them they help themselves and we have been expecting them to get the runs but so far all has been good.

Ralph is an ace at finding Owl pellets and very proudly bring them to us from, all over the land.

 However back to the Barn Owls. I have at last managed  some reasonable images of both the Interlopers, so lets look at some images.

My feeling is with he darker evenings and the heavy rain we have recently encountered, my  monitoring days are dwindling and unfortunately this other than the odd very long distance shots  may be the end for this year.

Male Barn Owl, Interloper 2.

Leaving the Large box but getting very dark, ISO100200 1/50 second, he has round eyes but not the staining around the eyes as is the Resident male, also not so pink around around the beak as the Resident.

Resident male, Large box.

Here returning into the box wioth a mouse for her indoors, I have yet to catch him on the fron tof the box with a mouse, it all happens so quick.

Resident Male, Large box.

Just about to leave on a hunting trip, not seen again this night , feeding himself. This male has heavy staining to the eyes and is pinker around his beak.

Interloper 1, Large box,

Not such full eyes and small amount of staining to his eyes. Reasonably dark, ISI125600 1/80 second.

Interloper 2, Large box.

Leaving the Large box, very dark. ISO 125600. 1/30 second. All the birds mostly roost in the large box, obviously in harmony.

Resident Male, Large box.

Staining to his eyes, pink around beak.

Outon the front of the Large box prior to hunting on a windy evening.

Just about to leave the box having just returned with a mouse.

Interloper 1, Large box.

Not such full eyes and slight amount of staining to eye.

Interloper 2, Large box.

This male tends to go hunting to the left, whereas the other two go to the right. Very dark, ISO 125600 1/30 second.

Interloper 2, Small box.

The only evening I have seen any bird leave this box , very late and no light, not sure as to what he is carrying.

Interloper 2. Large box.

Lack of eye staining and round eyes.

Interloper 1, Large box.

Not full round eye and little pink around beak.

Resident Male, Large box.

 Just before flying up onto his favourite post.

 

 

He then after a minute or two was away hunting.

A QUICK VISIT TO SWITHLAND RESERVOIR.

I decided as we had a sunny afternoon to have a quick visit out , keeping well away from people so I went to Swithland, to be truthful not much was about, but it was good to be out and about and what I did see was worth the visit.

Little Egret. 

As the reservoir is very low this bird stood  on the slope to the overflow about 60 metres away.

A second bird stood a little farther away, still to the front of the overflow but the weeds appear to have grown.

Mallard Drake.

In my opinion our must underrated duck.

Great Crested Grebe.

Swimming close to the draw down Tower but unfortunately into the sun.

One of this years young that has really got the hang of this fishing game.








A VISIT TO EYEBROOK RESERVOIR.

I once again had a visit to Eyebrook, not many people are about so no Covid worries and as always the birds are a bonus.

Black Headed Gull.

These birds were feeding in a field close by the reservoir.

Red Kite.

Then some Red Kites arrived. wonderful bird to watch in flight.

I hope you have enjoyed your visit as much as I have in the getting of the images,