The ever popular Barn Owl

Gorgeous views of a barn owl hunting in the afternoon. It was a beautiful day (snow covered Inglebrough, Pen-y-gent and lush golden sunlight.

Barn owl came out of a barn and we followed it hunting over moorland. Tragically took snaps into the light. Playing about practising with shutter speeds and aperture etc lead to some over exposed shots :-(
Oh well, it is all a learning experience. I kind of like the pictures anyway- even though they are photographically speaking sub-standard.

All hail the Shorty

Took a look at East Lancs Ornithologists this morning to see where Short-eared owls have been spied recently in Forest of Bowland. Ended up on Mr Brian Rafferty's awesome blog and wept at the sheer sharp brilliance and beauty of his Shorty shots. Moved almost to tears of desire for a similar shorty experience (forgetting our photographic skills fall so far short of Mr R's!!) We zoomed off to Wirral and Burton Marsh. Had a super day walking, lunching at the great Boat House in Parkgate and a swift pint at the Harp on Neston Marsh. Finally we spied our Shorty. Alas it was a bit too far out, the light was failing and it was ruddy freezing.. All these excuses but essentially the skills are so far wanting on Mr Rafferty. :-(
Still a Short-eared owl (oh how I lurve them so)

Bittern by the punning bug

AGH! We love Leighton Moss we seriously do- but my oh my the need to pun is relentless. That said .... It is very hard not to when you're dealing with otters and bitterns.
Yesterday was absolutely stunning, frosty, crisp with blue skies and gorgeous sunlight. Unfortunately it was also packed at Leighton Moss. Of course that is great for RSPB and for the many many people enjoying the fantastic sights of our fave reserve but selfishly it was also a bit of a squeeze and the noise levels get out of control. We had some good views of bitterns and harrier and a fleeting view of the otters but left early (about 2.15) :-(
Saw the barn owl on Barn Owl hill the other evening - stunning views of him/her hunting in the pinky gold of the setting sun. Too far for pictures of any quality but great to see.

Whitewell Hare

We were at the top of the hill overlooking Whitewell, and could help noticing a shoot going on the took over most of a neighbouring hill. Lots of beaters and a long line of men with gun dogs. We weren't the only ones to notice the shooting party. This hare ran straight un the road towards us, in the opposite direction to the shoot, and paused a few seconds before tearing into a nearby field.

Otters again at Leighton Moss, along with 100,000 starlings

More otters!



100,000 Starlings!

Beautiful day otter watching at Leighton Moss

Despite driving through fog over the moors this morning today turned out to be glorious and we had a stunning day at the Moss.

No bittern today but otters everywhere. Firstly we saw three together from public, we watched until they headed into the reeds and then scooted around to Lower hide in time to see them again right in pool before us. Saw all 5 there. Anyway watched them for a while before the disappeared into the reeds again. Entertained by the marsh harrier until out popped the romp again and we got another hour or so viewing. Finally they disappeared as my fingers began to give up the ghost from cold.
We pottered back to Public hide enjoying the golden light and found that the family had arrived just before us and were playing and hunting right in front of public hide again. So we got some lovely views in the early evening sunlight.
Before we called it a day we caught the starlings doing their thing against a beautiful sky.