Saturday 16 April 2016

Hirundine Hunt

Today, although colder, was at least dry, so I was able to get myself going a lot easier, and a lot earlier.

I had decided to visit Muskham Lake and see if there were any swallows or sand martins about. Well, I regretted it a little when I found myself trying to cycle head on into a blast chiller northerly, but it was only about 5 miles and I was able to keep on chugging on.

No goldeneye or any other fancy waterfowl, but I was happy to see that about 20 sand martins were skimming the water in their characteristic fashion. Photographing them was a matter of pure chance, but I got, ahem, lucky, in a few shots.




Cycling home, a swallow swooped overhead, and then a lovely kestrel flew towards the reserve from the village. No chance of a shot of these birds, far too fast moving. But the birds of Kilton Raptor Rescue, in town once again, provided a far easier target, and this time, I had my big camera with me.

Barn Owl:



My favourite "scowl owl":




Ferruginous buzzard:



Harris hawk:



Tawny owls:


And finally, the super cute scopps owl:



8 comments:

  1. What a lovely chance encounter.

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  2. We had one swallow on the farm on April 13 th but haven't seen it since - not surprised as it is freezing cold here.

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  3. Some lovely portraits of birds of prey. love the Tawny Owls

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  4. The rescue birds all look to be in beautiful condition, which is encouraging. That Scops Owl is waaay too cute!

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  5. I love the shots you got of the rescue birds, they're just stunning! I love the regal look of the buzzard and the barn owls are always a joy to see. Scops' Owls are adorable! - Tasha

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  6. Thanks for your comments. Everybody wants that Scops' Owl!

    Apparently most of these birds are "pose pets" who's owners don't have a clue how to look after them, although some of the native owls were probably injured by cars r some such thing. Nearly all of these birds can never be released.

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  7. It's always lovely when the swallows and martins come back!

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  8. Superb owls - what magnificent birds they are. Loads of sand martins back at Minsmere. Have now seen my first small white butterfly.

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