ANOTHER SERIES OF OLD IMAGES, AGAIN SOME LOOKING FORWARD TO SPRING AND SUMMER WITH SOME REQUESTS FROM FRIENDS ABROAD.

Things  are still grim in the UK and we are still in lockdown, infection rates are falling but still high, in the area where we live the rates are unfortunately still rising so we are staying in home to keep away from any risk of infection. It would be so good to be able to go out with the bins and camera but it's just not worth the risk. We had a fall of snow, not overmuch but it was extremely cold, in places it was said to have been the coldest for sixty years, so even though I see Barn Owls  on a regular basis, I most certainly have not been out sitting in my hide watching the boxes.

The Macro images are for my friend Brian on the Isle of Man, we chat every evening and he has been a constant help through these trying times 

The Short Eared Owl images are for my friend Saeed in Dubai who requested some images, we both managed images of SEO at Eyebrook  Reservoir two years ago, what a wonderful day we had.

All the following images were taken in 2016, happy days!

House Martins, Shallow Water Hide.

Arriving to collect mud for nest building.

Busily mud collecting before flying back to the nearby village.

Black Tern, Waderscrape  Hide.


Pointed out by Tim  Mackrill, a bird I had never seen previously, but as with most of the birds from W Waderscrape Hide, a silly distance away, taken whilst on Osprey Duty.

same bird, unfortunately no closer.

Four Spotted Chaser Dragonfly.

Seen at the Egleton Reserve,.

Large Tortoiseshell,

Side of track, Lyndon Reserve, Near Waderscrape Hide.

Water Vole, Waderscrape Hide.

I would normally see several of these delightful creatures whilst on Osprey duty

Emerald Damsel fly, Egleton Reserve.

on the Woodland Walk.

Four Spotted Chaser Dragonfly, Lyndon Reserve, Near Tufted Duck Hide.

Difficult to resist not taking an image, beautiful dragonfly.

Large Skipper, Egleton Reserve.

On the side of the track near Crake Hide.

Shoveler Duck , Deep Water Hide, Lyndon Reserve.

A reminder of a beautiful duck on a beautiful day, lets hope these days are with us again soon.

Southern Hawker, Egleton Reserve.

Near to the Dipping pond.

As Above.

Emerald Damselfly. Egeleton Reserve.

At the side of the Woodland Walk.

Gate keeper. Egleton reserve.

Near the Dipping Pond.

Emperor Dragonfly, Tufted Duck Hide, Lyndon Reserve.

First spotted as it flew past the hide, the it landed on a reed about fifteen metres away.

Emperor Dragonfly, Lyndon Reserve.

Tufted Duck Hide.

Southern Migrant Hawker, Egleton Reserve.

By the Dipping Pond.

Speckled Wood, Lyndon Reserve.

Near to Shallow Water Hide.

Large Tortoiseshell. Egleton Reserve.

Near Shoveler Hide.

Large Skipper, Egleton Reserve.

Near Shoveler Hide, Not sure as to what the little black beetles are.

Large Tortoiseshell. Lyndon Reserve.

Side of the path near Waderscrape Hide.

Blue Lace Wing, Lyndon Reserve.

Side of main track down to the Hides.

Jay, Our Garden.

Regular visitors all Year.





SHORT EARED OWLS, COSSINGTON MEADOWS.
NOT A SUMMER VISITOR BUT A REQUEST FROM A FRIEND.

Not the birds we saw  together at Eyebrook Reservoir but equally good and you have plenty of images of those birds. I have therefore put together a series from 2016 when 3 birds over wintered at Cossington. Lets hope you can soon visit and we can get out birding again, don't forget the Barn Owls.

N

Short Eared Owl.

Here sat on a post about 30 metres away and trying to stare me out.

Flying low and hunting.

Sat on the same post as previous and taking in the view.

Sat in tree and showing why they are called Short Eared.

Two of the three Owls sat on Swan Meadow boundary fence posts.

Having a quick shake before away hunting.

These birds were so helpful, they at times were out and about from 11.00 am and kept flying about most of the time,I understand a bird has been about this Winter but I obviously have been unable to visit. I'm unsure as to the Eyebrook birds this year until I manage to visit,

Deep concentration whilst hunting.

Beautiful eyes, has it got me spotted.