A rapture of raptors (and a few bitterns)

Another busy day at Leighton Moss, with many raptors (encouraged, no doubt by the tens of thousands of starlings arriving each evening), a number of bittern sightings, and a surprise visit from a water vole.

As soon as we got to the Lower Hide, we were told there were a pair of peregrine falcons resting on a faraway tree, and it didn't take long for one of them to fly off and past us at high speeds. It in turn scared a sparrowhawk from it's perch, so it did a swift turn around the marsh and then flew into the distance. Next came a bittern, followed by the marsh harrier who'd spent the previous Monday hassling an otter.

The rest of the afternoon was spent watching bitterns appear suddenly, fly a short way and then disappear into the reeds again, all while the marsh harrier flew around causing panic attacks in coots.

A final treat was seeing the head of a water vole peep out of a little hole, look at me, and then pop back in. First time I've ever seen one of these endangered, elusive creatures.

A romp of otters play-fighting at Leighton Moss

A video of the starling murmuration at Leighton Moss

Stunning starlings

Leighton Moss did not disappoint us with a spectacular murmuration seen from Causeway (the starlings flew directly over our heads- incredible sound of wings and they just kept on coming- hundreds of thousands)
Also not one but two bittern! The marsh harriers are still around and we saw a few sparrowhawk (one later on trying his luck with the murmuration)

Short eared owls like London buses

Ever since I was little and my dad sat me on his knee and flicked through his bird book- I have wanted to see a short eared owl. Both Pants and I have been hankering for a short eared owl all this Autumn. Up in Mull we knew there was a possibility of seeing them but nada. A shorty has been spotted at Leighton Moss but for us..nowt!
Decided to head to Wirral to see the family on Sunday afternoon and spend day off on Monday with the gang. We nipped by Burton Marshes on way and lo and behold .. being mobbed by a corvid.. SHORTY!! We ended up watching him for over an hour and realised there were at least two down there. Then took bro up there yesterday afternoon and they were everywhere.
Wonderful wonderful birds. Stunning views of them quartering, then plunging into the reeds. We even got one landing so close to my brother he had to hold his breath to avoid disturbing it.
So you wait a lifetime and they all come at once.
We even saw a male hen harier down at the marsh there in Burton- though only through bins.. too far to shoot (with camera)
Lighting was appalling so excuse the low quality of the pictures..

Murmuration Murmurings

Went to Leighton Moss on Mon 15th. We got some good Marsh Harrier action with two still around and one being attacked by,...well juries out.. could have been a hen harrier and in some pics it seems likely though sooo much smaller looking.


Anyway saw the murmuration which was spectacular - though weather was dark and overcast and we were on the road so the view was overshadowed by darkening hills in background.

Here for your delight our photos (we pray they will improve as a) starling flocks increase in size and b) we get into position and have good light.