Since I found it in the dark on 21st April, I have tried several times - without success - to see and photograph an owl at my new Site No.10. This morning was one of those times. As this is not far from my Site No.2, near Packington, I went there, with the intention of coming back to No.10 again later. Nothing at No.2, so I took a walk over the fields because, also on 21st April, I had heard a LO calling in the distance in response to a call from a LO at No.2. On my walk I stopped to grab a couple of photos of Orange Tip, which actually settled for a change!
Any way, having crossed three fields, Bingo! A Little Owl flew up from beside the footpath in front of me, and landed in a nearby tree. I've measured this location on a large scale map as being 700 metres from my Site No.2, so I reckon this is site No.11!! The bird looked a little bit different to my site No.2 birds, also. The bird was rather nervous, and I'm not surprised as (what I believe to be) the nest tree had been severely de-limbed recently, as had many other trees in the area. I therefore decided to explore a bit further - and found another owl in a tree on the far side of the next field! However, having looked at my photos, I now think that this is the same bird - it must have flown over ahead of me. Only record shots, into the sun, on this occasion - it flew off, unseen by me, as I was adjusting my camera. One of my Site No.2 birds was there as I got back to my car, but I didn't see him until he flew off!
With all this excitement it was nearly lunch time, and I had about as much chance of returning to No.10 as Gordon Brown!
Any way, having crossed three fields, Bingo! A Little Owl flew up from beside the footpath in front of me, and landed in a nearby tree. I've measured this location on a large scale map as being 700 metres from my Site No.2, so I reckon this is site No.11!! The bird looked a little bit different to my site No.2 birds, also. The bird was rather nervous, and I'm not surprised as (what I believe to be) the nest tree had been severely de-limbed recently, as had many other trees in the area. I therefore decided to explore a bit further - and found another owl in a tree on the far side of the next field! However, having looked at my photos, I now think that this is the same bird - it must have flown over ahead of me. Only record shots, into the sun, on this occasion - it flew off, unseen by me, as I was adjusting my camera. One of my Site No.2 birds was there as I got back to my car, but I didn't see him until he flew off!
With all this excitement it was nearly lunch time, and I had about as much chance of returning to No.10 as Gordon Brown!
Orange Tip (male)
Little Owl at my new Site No.11
